New-York tribune., 1905-07-19
MR.. WHITES PLAIN TALK.


Mr. Witte's plain talk with an Associated
Press correspondent is 10 be welcomed as the
utterance of that Russian statesman whose
opinions are probably of most Importance to
Russia, and certainly of most interest to the
world. In respect, however, it may seem
disappointing, If not actually disquieting, name
ly, in its references to the dubious outlook for
peace and the limited scope of Mr. Whites au-
thority as peace commissioner. AS to the latter.
we can scarcely believe that Mr.. Witte meant
to say exactly what his words seem TO express,
namely, that he is simply IAN Ambassador Ex-
''traordnary for pour parlers with the japanese
"plenipotentaries, to ascertain whether it is
possible TO conclude treaty Of peace" Sure
ly he must be more than that. He must be as
truly Plenipotentiary as is Baron Komura or
Mr.. Takahira. and he must be authorized not
only TO ascertain whether treaty of peace can
be concluded but also to negotiate and sign
such a treaty. subject Of course. to ratification
by the Gar. If such were not the case, the
world would be grievously disappointed, and
there would be reason to fear an unsatisfactory
result of his mission.
1t will be regretted, too, that Mr.. Witte felt
constrained TO say that he feared the japanese
terms would be such that the commissioners
would be unable to reach an accord. What
special ground he may have for such fears we
do not know. So far we have been able to
perceive there have been no serious intima-
tons Of any Japanese terms in excess Of those
which Mr.. Witte himself favored granting be-
fore the war, plus the customary and reason
able penalty Of an unsuccessful war. We under
stand, of course that Mr.. Witte is not peace
at any price" man. No worthy statesman is.
But he is in favor of peace and justice. We
cannot imagine that he would now repudiate
the honorable policy Of which he the fore
most exponent two years ago. or that he ex-
poets Japan to ask now no more than she asked
before the war. AS he truly observes, when
the war began the situation changed" The
treaty of peace must take account of that
change. Nobody wants to see the amour
propre of the Russian people wounded or the
future of Russia as a nation jeoparded But
the invariable rule of war is that the unsuc-
cessful party to it must pay the penalty of de-
feat What is TO be regretted. then is that
Mr.. Witte, what seem insufficient grounds,
should enter the conference without hope of
success. or at least with fear of failure.
So much is to be said, if Mr.. Wittes talk is
TO be taken at precisely its apparent face value
! There is no discourtesy, however, in speculat-
! ing upon the possible purpose of his making
such an utterance at this time or in seeking
TO read something more between the lines. 1t
may be- of course that Mr.. Witte spoke sim
ply from an overhowing heart, with a wish
TO inform the American public Of his senti-
ments and anticipations. 1t may also be that
he meant his words to have effect not so much
in America as in Japan. in Russia itself.
Thus his talk might be interpreted a warn
ing to Japan to moderate her demands. and
not to expect to dictate to him as Marquis Ito
did TO Ii Hung Chang ten years ago; or it might
| be interpreted as an assurance to the Russian
people that their peace-making envoy had the
| interests and honor Of the empire at heart, and
was not disposed to sacrifice them, even for
the sake of peace 1t would not be uniting
! for a statesman in his place TO make such an
utterance for such a purpose, and the possibil-
| ity that he has done so is to be taken into ac-
| count.
In a sense ii is no concern Of Americas in
what spirit or with what result the Russian
and japanese ENJOYS meet. In more than one
high sense IL is Americas concern. For the
sake OF humanity, for the sake Of the general
interests of civilization and for the specific sake
of two great powers which this country regards
as its friends America earnestly desires that
peace shall be made, upon just and enduring
| basis That desire is strengthened by the con-
sideration that the peace negotiations have been
arranged through our governments good offices,
and are to be held on American SOIL 1t would
be a matter of profound national regret to have
negotiations thus begun and thus conducted
prove fruitless. We must hope, therefore, that
what seem to be the forebodings Of Mr.. Witte
will prove unfounded, and that he will be able
TO report to his sovereign acceptable terms of
peace and to conclude treaty which will be
satisfactory TO the Russian government
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