the statesmen of
other nations could have performed such a service as he did in 1905
in bringing about peace between Russia and Japan in the conflict then
raging in the Far East. It was high time that the war should end, in
the interest of both contestants. The Russians had been consistently
defeated on land and had lost their entire fleet at the battle of
Tsushima. The Japanese were apparently on the highroad to victory. But
in reality, Japan's success had been bought at an exorbitant price.
Intelligent observers in the diplomatic world who were in a position to
realize the truth knew that neither nation could afford to go on.

On June 8, 1905, President Roosevelt sent to both Governments an
identical note in which he urged them, "not only for their own sakes,
but in the interest of the whole civilized world, to open direct
negotiations for peace with each other." This was the first that the
world heard of the proposal. But the President had already conducted,
with the utmost secrecy, confidential negotiations with Tokyo and with
St. Petersburg to induce both belligerents to consent to a face to face
discussion of peace. In Russia he had found it necessary to go directly
to the Czar himself, through the American Ambassador, George von
Lengerke Meyer. Each Government was assured that no breath of the matter
would be made public until both nations had signified their willingness
to treat. Neither nation was to know anything of the other's readiness
until both had committed themselves. These advances appear to have been
made following a suggestion from Japan that Roosevelt should attempt to
secure peace. He used to say, in discussing the matter, that, while
it was not generally known or even suspected, Japan was actually "bled
white" by the herculean efforts she had made. But Japan's position
was the stronger, and peace was more important for Russia than for
her antagonist. The Japanese were more clear-sighted than the selfish
Russian bureaucracy; and they realized that they had gained so much
already that there was nothing to be won by further fighting.

When the public invitation to peace negotiations was extended, the
conference had already been arranged and the confidential consent
of both Governments needed only to be made formal. Russia wished the
meeting of plenipotentiaries to take place at Paris, Japan preferred
Chifu, in China. Neither liked the other's suggestion, and Roosevelt's
invitation to come to Washing