Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-03
Talk Of Making Peace in the
Far East.
10 CHANGE EFFECTED
THIS GOVERNMENTS ATTITUDE
TOWARD CoMBATANTs.
Ready to Mediate if Both Parties De-
sire-Views of japanese and Rus
sian Representatives.

Whatever effect the fail of Port Arthur
may have on the ultimate issue of the war
and military experts here declare that it
undoubtedly marks a most important ad-
vance in favor of Japan--the attitude of
this government toward the belligerents
has not undergone the slightest change.
More than once the American government
has let st. Petersburg and Tokyo know that
1t stands ready at any time to render
neighborly assistance whenever both bel
ligerents are prepared to welcome 1t. Fur
ther than that this government has not
gone, nor is 1t probable that any contin-
gency will arise necessitating more positive
efforts in the direction of peace. 1t is to be
expected that the usual reports from Eu-
rope will begin to pour in telling of the in
tention Of this government to mediate at the
instance of one belhgerent or the other.
Unauthorized Reports.
Reports that President Roosevelt is likely
to initiate negotiations of friendly media
ton are premature, at least. and entirely
unauthorized. 1t is stated most positively
today that no negotiations looking to media
ton on the part of the American govern
ment are pending at this time and 1t is not
known that such negotiations will be in
itiatedin in the immediate future.
President Roosevelt's attitude in the mat
ter is pretty well understood by those who,
in the past few months, have discussed the
subject with him. He has not hesitated to
let it be understood, that nothing would af-
ford him greater satisfaction than to be
instrumental in any degree in bringing
about a cessation of hostilitieS in the far
east, but he appreciates fully the futility
of suggesting mediation to belligerents who
are not inclined to receive such offers in a
spirit of friendliness; and that an offer of
mediation at a time which either one or the
other of the contending powers might re-
gard inopportune would retard rather
than advance the prospects OF peace Should
the time come whc1 diplomatic assurances
are received from both Russia and Japan
that consideration would be given to sug-
gestions of mediation, then. very likely, the
President would embrace the opportunity
to promote the cause of peace In any effec-
tive way that might offer.
1t can be said that the subject of media
ton was not considered at the meeting OF
the cabinet today. The matter was not
even referred to. Various reports regarding
possible mediation have been called to the
attention of high officials OF the govern
of the kind now is under consideration and
that nothing is in anticipation.
The japanese Minister'S View.
Mr.. Kogoro Takahira, the japanese min
lister, was asked last night whether in his
opinion the fall of Port Arthur would
hasten the. end of the war with Russia
w
and for answer he referred to the fact
that while the fall of Port Arthur was inn
pending and its capture by the Japanese in
evitable the Russians had dispatched the
second Pacific squadron to the Tar east. and
notice had been given of the intention to
send a third army to Manchuria. The fur
ther prosecution of the war now. he said,
rested with the Russians. II they should
continue 1t Japan would be prepared to
meet them on sea and land.
.Wil Japan now welcome any offices for
peace that might be made by Russian
he was asked.
Japan Always for Peace.
Japan always has been for peace the
minister replied, Japan always will be
for peace II Justice can be obtained for all
concerned. Japan started In this war fight
ing for q principle. and she will continue
to fight for asrecognition of that principle
and the Just attainment of her rights"
Concerning the fortress at Port Arthur,
the minister expressed the opinion that IL
would be so cared for by the Japanese as
to be prepared for any emergency.
The Japanese legation last night received
a cablegrHm from Tokyo saying that the
negotiations for the surrender Of Port Ar
thur had been concluded yesterday after