The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-30

i
To a maritime country this is an i'm
mense advantage She could have af-
forded to fight the war she has fought
for this alone. But it is only small
part Of what she has gained. The war
has made Japan a. continental power.
She is in Korea to stay. She is in Man
churia temporarily, but her influence
/ will be felt there so long as she re.
mains a strong nation. Her next task
will be to mold the inert mass Of China
to her own will. Russia never succeed
ed with China except by bullying and
threatening her. The Japanese method
will be smoother, more insidious and
more successful.
Over against what Japan has gained
must, Of course, be set what Russia
has lost. She has lost practically all
her stealthy approach in China had
gained. Her hold on Manchuria is
gone, her influence in China is ruined,
her immense investments are either de.
stroyed by her own hand or delivered
humbly to the enemy, her prestige in
|
is farther from the open sea today than
she has been for fifty years. She may
sit upon her ice-bound shores of Vladi.
vostok and cackle that she did not pay
a kopeck, but she must see that her
folly has put in the hands of Japan
commercial chances which will compen-
safe the Japanese for the surrender of
indemnity many times over, while Rus
STA is shut out from the worlds inter
course to a greater extent than she has
been since she became world power.
The world was so taken by surprise
that it was natural at first to concede
a weakness Of negotiations in Japan.
But while the noisy crowd is hurrah-
ing for NJ. Witte and his excellent opin-
| ion of his achievement, the thinking
world will hear the Japanese envoy
who says quietly but solemnly: "For
the sake of humanity we have made
peace.' This is worth more than any
strident note of glee over successful
diplomacy. By stroke the Japanese
have forced the Russians back into the
position Of being the ones who would
continue the war rather than pay their
bills. The court has adjudged Japan
in the right. She has taken her YER
dict and agreed to pay her own costs
rather than renew the litigation in
blood. That was far-sighted work.
One hundred thousand men would have
been the price of the collection of the
indemnity, and one hundred thousand
men are worth more to Japan than
money. On the other hand, they are
worth less to Russia than money. This
is the truth, and no amount Of sand
throwing by the Russian ENJOYS can
conceal it. 49,
It will be long time before all the
facts about the Portsmouth conference
will be known. We do not even know
who will be the M. de Blowitz Of the
occasion. Only two men stand out as
having individual part in the negotia.
tions. Komura came to America her:
aided as the mikado IS bright young
man, but he made a false start when
he turned the trick Of forgetting his
credentials and the American people
| have not cared much about him since
Takahira and Rosen appear to have
cut no figure unless it was in the pri
vate consultations which the world may
never know about But there are some
men in and ,out Of the conference who
have made worldwide regulations out
of this encounter of minds. We are
inclined to think that the man who, in
the Toxic cabinet session, got up and
told the mikado that he ought to with
draw the indemnity demand entirely
was the real hero Of the peace. Per
haps the mikado did it himself If so
his credit is greatest. Of the men who
are known in the negotiations, M
| Witte certainly carried away the hon
ors for his country. He has made such
a peace as Russia could scarcely have
hoped for, and he has deserved well
Of the czar. M. Witte must feel i'm
mensely relieved, for had he not made
peace at all, his position would have
been very uncomfortable at home, and
had he made peace on hard terms his
position would have been almost intol
cradle. To have pulled a beaten nation
thru as handsomely as he has is some
thing which might crown career. But
M. Witte is young man. He should
be just beginning a campaign for the
regeneration of Russia. Every Amer
lean who has come to know him hopes
for M. Witte this opportunity.
The other notable figure in the con,
ference is that of President Roosevelt
Americans, while heartily proud OF
their president, will hesitate in this in
stance to boast with their customary
frankness. We shall all be inclined
thru motives of good taste as we'll as OF
generosity to under, rather than over
rate the presidents share. Let the
world say whether the American presi
dent is entitled to a large or small
portion of credit. The indications are
that it will not be slow to acknowledge
that the man who called the conference
was also the man who held it together
until it acted and that turnout he main
tanned poise Of neutrality, which was
undisturbed by the appeals of either
side. The American people share will
! the president whatever emotions he ex
perienced when the news Of peace came
They are sincerely glad that peace wa.
| made and thew ara sincero1v honef,1