Reagan optimistic talks can help in Latin America

President Reagan is optimistic that the Central American crisis will be settled by diplomacy rather than force, Republican congressional leaders said after meetings with the President. They said he plans to vigorously pursue Cuban President Fidel Castro's recent peace overtures.

Mr. Reagan's envoy to Central America, Richard Stone, reported in Washington on his talks with a Salvadorean leftist leader and the Nicaraguan government, which he called ''very useful.''