The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-16

them to others under suCh terms as VIII
secure for the city tho best service and
the amplcst returns. -
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President Roosevelt and Peace.
History hardly has parallel of such
a work accomplished in so quiet and
graceful and delightful n manner"
said Mr.. Choate at Banquet last Tues
day evening. in reference 10 the Prcs!-
dents peace initiative-and the thoughtful,
as well as the blindest lingo. Will heartily
take Mr.. Choato's estimate Of the value
of the Presidents action. From every
standpoint the Chief Executive of the
United States, now no longer little
people, but u power in world politics.
was the logical person to prefer the
good offices that always precede peace
negotiations, where neither combatant is
exhausted. No King or President In
Europe could have laid aside his coun-
try's hereditary entnngling alliances long
enough to make such an offer as that
which came from President Roosevelt
for the United States Is free to act on
high impulses without being charged with
sordid motives, and In the present war
at least no European power could have
escaped the suspicion Of personal inter-
est
No less remarkable is the method which
the President adopted. Instead of fol-
lowing the circuitous and involved proce-
dure of foreign cianccllcries, In the con-
fdence of his own honesty Of intent. he
came straight to the point and dis.
patched an identical note to St. Peters
burg and Toxic simultaneously, to the
horror Of certain French diplomats. who
said president Roosevelt has broken
every rule Of diplomacy" Apparently
the President knew what he was doing,
for his suggestion has been adopted. and
as n further tribute to his nation and
himself, Washington has been chosen as
| the place for conducting Tie negotia-
| lions. 81
This is long step forward toward
ending terrible and protracted war. 1t
| ron,ains, however, for the terms to be
agreed upon, and in reaching that settle
ment the greatest wisdom and lnodern-
ton will be necessary. Russ!as plenlpo-
tcntiarles, or rather Russja's war party.
must realize that at best they can only
extend the time of the struggle until
Japan exhuusts herself. which is at pres
cnt very distant contingency. While all
the time the tide of popular discomfort
,1,t oI, ar
understood or desired.
For Japan the danger lies In excessive
demands. Naturally Japan Will try to
assure herself against the possibility Of
Russian Interference for the next fifty
years, ana will seek to lay the cost of
tho war rs far as possible on her adver-
sary. But-"nothng is so dangerous as
a revolt by Sheppard even the inert.
disconnected population Of Russia may
be goadcd to unconquerable resistance by
the extravagant demands from the VIC
tors
These difficulties. however, awaited the
peace commissioners in any case-and
in no way detract from the singular
gifts and character Of the President,
whose personal intervention has at least
made m earlier ending OF hostilitles
possible
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Mr.. Cleveland and the Equitable.
Ex-President Cleveland yesterday at
tended the first meeting Of the trustees
OF tho Equitable Life Assurance Society,
! and it Is well to recall In part the letter
he wrote TO Mr.. Thomas II. Ryan Among
his statements are:
1.-THE high pressure of speculation; the
madness of inordinatc business schem-
Ing, and the chances taken In new and
uncertain enterprises arc constant pres
ct temptations. too often successful in
leading managers and directors away
from scrupulous loyalty and fidelity 10
tho interests of others confidcd TO thel
! care.
1--WE can better afford to slacken our
pace than to abandon our old, simple
American standards of honesty; and we
shall be safer If we regain our old habit
Of looking at the appropriation to per-
| sonal uses Of property and interests held
In trust, IN the same light as other
| forms Of stealing"
TO express the truth of honesty of pur-
pose and fair dealings as ex.President
| Cleveland has done, and 10 have his
III nf nj, IN