The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-01
NEUTRAL NATIONS HESITATE.
THIS NOT TIE TINE TO OFFER
RUSSIA MEDIATION.
Fear That In the Bitterness OF Defeat
She Would Decide I, struggle On
Diplomats Think United states should
Take the Lead When Opportunity Comes

WAsHlSoroN. MAY sl.-From what
was learned in diplomatic circles to-
day it il evident that the neut raj
Powers are agreed that 1t would he
the height OF folly for any or all ofthem to
suggest to Russia. at this moment Of
nat ional gloom and eminent, that now
is the time for the st. Petersburg Gov
eminent to make terms with Japan.
To do this. il was declared. would
be to excite and anger TIE Russian au-
thorities of all fac tions to such an extent
as probably to cause postponement
circumstances would probably be initiated
at an early day. Any nation which would
suggest to Russia before the shock of the
great defeat administered to its Baltic feet
by Admiral Togo has passed away that
she should make overtures to Japan for a
conclusion Of hostilities would. 1t
was said, incur the bitter feeling
of Russia and in all probability would receive
a response which would be little short OF
insulting and might result in further inter-
national trouble. Such. II was asserted.
was the situation confronting the neut raj
Powers which are all anxious to bring about
a peace arrangement between the two BEL
Egerents
JAPAS's NEW ATTITUDE
Within the past twenty -four hours It
has become known in official quarters here
that Japan. in spite OF the fact that she
has all along been anxious to arrange
terms with Russia. would hesitate and per-
haps decline to enter into peace negota-
tons with her enemy at this time.
for the reason that she believes the
Russian Government is so disorganiDed.
mpotent and divided that 1t would be i'm
possible for that Government to furnish
satisfactory assurances that the provisions
of the peace treaty would be observed
This position OF Japan and the attitude
generally maintained by the neutral Pow
ers seems to make it certain that the war
must 60 on until the Russian Government
has recovered from its present disorganized
condition or become 30 hopelessly unable
to rule its people that international inter-
vention would be regarded as necessary.
In connection with these important dis
closures 1t was explained to-day that japan
might be induced to consider peace over
lures from Russia immediately1f any or
everal Of the strong pations OF the
world would furnish guarantees that
Russia would be compelled to live up to
obligations contracted toward Japan in
final peace compact. However there is
little likelihood that the neutral Powers
will come to any agreement to offer such
guarantees until every effort to secure an
adjustment OF the differences between the
warning nations has proved futile,
HESITATE TO MAKE FIRST MOVE
The British Government. it ia learn ed.
has already determined not to take any
initiative in attempting to bring about
peace. It's reason for this important de-
cision il that peace move on its part would
subject it to suspicion on ac-
count OF its known friendliness to Japan
and the existence Of the defensive alliance
bet ween the Governments at London and
Toxic. |
Germany. it is understood. would hesitate
to make openly the first move for peace.
because she is OF the opinion that the initia-
tive must hot be taken by any European |
nation, but solely by the United States. |
This attitude on the part Of Germany
was made known to the American Gov |
ern meht early In the present war. |
was apprehensive that If
the hostilities between Russia
and Japan were not confined by some
definite, mutual agreement to defined zone
81 Asiatic territory military operations
might be extended throughout the whole
u China. thus exciting the natives leading
10 general disorder and furnishing the
opportunity for the seizure by one or other
of the belligerents OF Chinese territory.
In regard to the possession Of which there
mad teen no dispute between Russia and
Japan.
Anxious to prevent any such danger Gus
outcome Of the war, Germany believed
that the friendly offices Of some neutral
power were necessary, but she belle we'd
also that for herself or any other Euro
oean nation to take the initiative
would in all probability excite the
suspicion of one or perhaps both OF the
and also Of t he neutral nation
in the Chinese quest ion For
hat reason Emperor William asked Pres-
lent Roosevelt to suggest to Russia and
Japan that the area OF host lit les he limit ed.
Germany did not appear officially in the
natter at all.
THINK WE SHOULD LEAD.
1t il the unds rstanding here that Germany
8 not the only nation interested which be-
ieves that the United States Government
3 better situated than any other to make
uggestions which the Powers may deem
necessary toward effectng peace. At
his writing the prevailing opin-
on in diplomatic quarters in
Is that the United States should
,lay the most important part among the
in seeking to secure a settlement
'etween Russia and Japan and that WASH
ngton is the proper place for the negotia-
ion Of the treaty OF peace.