The sun., 1905-08-30
TOOK SS DAYS TO BRING PEACE
ROOSEvELg's FIRST STEP WAS
TAKEN on JUNE 2.
History Of the Activities Of tho President
to- Bring the Bellisereuss Together
and Their successful Endins =. 4
Momentous Diplomatic Document.

and Their successful Fading -. \
Momenteus Diplomatic Document.
wAsHrNorox, Aug. :e.-.Just eighty eight
velt took bis first step In his plan for peace
although that first step was not really
the initial one. 1t was on June that
President Roosevelt summoned Count Cas-
sini to the White House. He discussed
the situation with the Russian diplomat,
asking his opinion on his Governments
attitude, talking ashe had talked with Min
ister Takahira concerning the situation.
To Count Caesini he expressed the opinion
that the war should end. All this followed
closely the engagement In the Sea Of Japan,
when tho Russian feet was annihilated.
1t was not the Presidents first step toward
peaoe, although the prospects, at that time
were far brighter than when he tried before.
As long ago as February the President
learned from Minister Takahira substanti-
ally what terms japan would accept. At
that time the main points for which Japan
contended were the integrity Of Manchuria
and Japanese preponderance In Corea.
No indemnity was demanded. The Presi-
dent, with no'advioe or suggestion attached.
sent the terms to Russia.
The St. Petersburg Government, with
It's feet In the Indian Ocean, refused to
consider peace. The feet called on and
was completely defeated, week passed
and President Roosevelt decided to act.
On June he expressed his opinion to Count
Cassini. A day or two later, firm In his
intentions, and sure, by direct correspond
enoe, OF the support Of France and Germany,
he instructed Mr.. Meyer, the American
Ambassador at st. Petersburg, to ask an
audience with the Gar.
A long despatch giving detailed instruo-
tions as to what to say went to Mr.. Meyer
and on June be was received at Tsarekoe-
Solo. By prearrangement the Gar on the
snme day received q letter from Emperor
| William. The Kaiser voiced sentiments
similar to those Of President Roosevelt
and, influenced by the heads Of two great
nations. the Gar consented to join In a
conference with the Japanese.
For ten days the White House was the
scene OF history making Incidents. Min
lister Takahira called almost daily, and a
personal correspondence between the Ger
man Emperor and the President was carried
| on through Baron Speck Won Sternburg
| the German Ambassador. M. Juseerand,
the French Ambassador was frequent
caller and Frances support was active
although France. as Russia's ally and good
| friend could not be 80 free as the Kaiser
In urging the Gar to end the war.
Sure Of his ground. for Japan had all
along agreed to hold a conference II Russia's
consent could be gained, the President
on June sent an identical note to TOXIC and
| St. Petersburg containing the formal prop
| ositton for peace. Mr.. Griscom, the United
| States Minister at Toxic. was told to present
the note to the Japanese Government and
to say that an exact copy had been sent to
the Russian Government. He was instructed
further to say that as soon as each Govern
ment had received the agreement the text
would be made public In Washinston.c
On June tho note. was made public.
On the following day Saturday, June l0)
the Japanese acceptance OF the Presidents 8
proposal was received. Tho Russian reply
did not como on that day. nor on the next
Sunday. AT that, time, whom the situation
anxiety. On Monday, the 18th, however.
Count Cassini called at the White House
and personally; as we'll a. orally. presented
Russia's reply. Like tho Japanese anSwer.
It. was favorable. &C..
| But Count. Cassini only told the Presi-
dent that Russia had accepted, and there
was nothing in black and white to show
Ruseias sincerity. This aroused the sus-
picion Of the Japanese. add again there
was anxiety. But on the day following
the written Russian answer was handed
to Mr.. Meyer at the Foreign Office In st.
Petersburg. ... -. -,,- ~.
Thon came the question Of selecting a
place Of meeting. Washington was thought
well Of, but neither country suggested it
Russia desired Paris, japan wanted Chefoo
Neither was acceptable to the other. Geneva
was considered; the President mentioned
The Hague, but the matter finally simmered
down to an agreement on Washington, and
announcement OF this was made on June Is
Then it became apparent that Washington
in summer was not a At place for holding q
long conference, and 1t was decided to hold
the session at Portsmouth. l'i
The question Of the personality OF the
plenipotentiaries hung on for long time
until finally Japan named Komura and
Takahira and Russia Nelidon and Rosen
Later Nelidoff was replaced by Witte as
the senior Russian plenipotentiary. The
two countries agreed that the conference
should begin early in August. The Jap.
anese ENJOYS were the first to assemble in
New York and the RussiansI followed
They were all presented to the Presiden,
and made their way to Portsmouth te
fight it out, by. themselves.
Throughout the pre-oonference negotia
tions there was never a serious hitch. Al
one time 1t was said that tho Russians woulc
not have plenary powers. that they woule
be only messen gers to transmit the japanese
peace terms from America to Russia. Thi,
was, however, dispelled by subsequent
events.
The identical note sent to Japan ant
Russia containing the Presidents pro
poeal Ia q model Of diplomatic correspon
dence. and now has a great historical value
II Is as follows: '.. 7t- .
-The President fe els that the time ha,
4 come when in the interest Of all manlsine
he must endeavor to see ifit IA not possibl,
TO bring to an end the terrible and lament
able conflict now being waged With botl
Russia and Japan the United States ha
Inherited ties of friendship and good will
It hopes for the prosperity and welfare o