New-York tribune., 1905-08-24
FRENICON.

There is more delay at Portsmouth, and de-
lay, say most observers, makes for peace we
are glad TO believe such is the case. and. indeed.
it certainly should be the case when. as at pres
ent, the delay is not time Of mere suspension
Of activities among the ENJOYS, but is also an
interval filed with earnest and tactful endeavor
for peace on the part of other peacemakers.
Perhaps that last word should be in the singu-
lar. 1t is one peacemaker who is above all
others busy in these days. The scenes of activ-
ity are several Portsmouth. Oyster Bay, st.
Petersburg, perhaps also Toxic, are directly in
volyed. The central dynamo, from which pro
ceed all the currents, is the strong and sincere
personality that first organized the processes of
peacemaking and impaired TO them their motive
power.
1t is a superb campaign that the President is
conducting. Whatever may be its result
though we decline TO anticipate any result other
than that at which he aims-its record will form
an inspiring chapter in American annals and in
the annals of international diplomacy. We are
only repeating the general testimony of the
world when we say that he is the only chief OF
state who could have done these things with
any chance of success or without grave danger
Of doing more harm than good. That Is TO be
said without offence to the heads of European
states, some Of whom have rendered statesman
like services of the highest character to the
world; for they, their governments, are so in
volved in alliances or antagonisms, are at
least so subject TO suspicious OF interestedness,
as hopelessly to compromise their impartiality
in this matter The Presidents opportunity was
afforded to him by Americas happy freedom
from all such influences and entanglements, and
it was improved by him through the virtue of
his own brave, generous. impulsive and yet
tactful personality.
That is something Of which America will long
be proud. It is also something which other
powers may perhaps take into consideration as
desirable for emulation 1t is unquestiOnably
good thing that the President is doing But
should he be the only chief of state in the world
capable. because of circumstances of doing that
good thing? Certainly II will appear to many
a lamentable handicap that keeps the head of
any other government from doing a beneficent
deed which he would like 10 do and which the
world would Ike 10 have done; and It is an un-
fortunate system which imposes such handcaps
1t would be difficult task at this date to give to
any European power the freedom from foreign
entanglements that is enjoyed by America as a
result Of traditional policy. But at least it
might be possible for those powers so TO improve
their mutual relationships as TO gain some meas
ure Of disinterestedness and impartiality. Sure
ly more than one European statesman is to-day
wishing it had been within the power of his
government to do what our President is doing
Meantime. the delay at Portsmouth is being
watched. and It's results are being awaited with
intense interest throughout the world both as
an object lesson in irenic craftsmanship and for
the Importance of the outcome There have
been many fluctuations Of hope and despair in
the minds Of observers, and there is little doubt
that without the active personal Intervention Of
the President the latter sentiment would have
been justified and the conference might before
this have broken up in failure With his inter
vention the scene has changed. and. whether II
| be to-day or tomorrow or next week if is req
sonabe still TO hope that the resumption of di-
rect negotiations between the ENJOYS will mark
| the making of peace