Roosevelt as a possible mediator before the war spreads

A short war could end once the participants recognise consequences larger than their original aims. Theodore Roosevelt is suggested as an outside mediator, drawing on his historical role in ending the Russo-Japanese War. Britain would struggle to appear impartial because of its alliance with Japan. British encouragement of American mediation is connected to hopes for a closer Japanese-American relationship, which did not develop as hoped in this interpretation. The historical mediation brought Roosevelt a Nobel Peace Prize; an earlier settlement in this scenario remains a proposed diplomatic escape.