The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-08-30

iticsl circles are ont Of town and there
fore it is impossible to obtain anything
like a consensus of public opinion
other than as represented by the lead
ing morning newspapers.
The Associated Press conveyed the
first information to the foreign Office.
HayashF Would Not Talk.
isteFs also received the first Information
from the Associated Press. The min
ister was at his country home, where
he was seen by the Associated Press
correspondent. He said:
4 got my first intimation of the re-
suit fof the conference from the AS
ISOLATED Press telegram sent to me
here, but I must decline to comment
thereon until 1 receive an official an
nouncement from my government
A long dispatch was received at the
japanese legation later in the evening
and was forwarded to Baron Hayasbi
In all official circles. in the clubs and
elsewhere the announcement of the
terms came as complete surprise. and
responsible persons decline to express
definite opinions until more informa-
ton regarding the terms have been re-
ceived.
Praise for Japan.
The morning papers, while sharing
the astonishment of the public at the
unexpected nature of the peace terms.
having chosen so magnanimous
course. 1t is contended that by waiv
ing the question Of indemnity Japan
might justly claim the whole of the
island of Sakhaiin, and that there
fore the return of half of the island is
a concession made entirely in the inter-
est Of peace. All the papers express
gratitude to President Roosevelt and
admiration OF his untiring zeal, giving
him full credit for being "the one man
u ms 10 Il.
English papers which have been
strongly pro-Japanese Throughout the
negotiations express disa appointment at
Japan's failure to be reimbursed for
the expenses of the war. At the same
time several of them admit that she
perhaps, has chosen the wiser and more
business-like course.
Mikado's Clear Judgment.
The Chronicle attributes the decision
which led TO peace to the Emperor of
Japan himself, and says:
When the Japanese generals and
admirals eXtolled the magnanimous
virtues of their emperor as the sole
cause of their victories, they did not
use empty phrases. The emperor and
his advisers have kept their judgment
clear They knew that Russia would
not pay, because she could not. and
that at the end Nof another eighteen
months. while JaDan's debt was
able to pay an indemnity. That is
why we consider. even from the finan-
clai side, that Japan has chosen the
wiser course The guidance of the far
East is now in Japan's hands, and she
holds an opportunity for expansion and
commercial growth that in a few years
VIII make the concession of an indem-
nity appear to be a very small affair"
The Daily Graphic, commenting on
Japan > extraordinary magnanimity"
considers that, coming from a vic
torious power on the eve of further
victories, such concessions point TO a
higher code of ethics than that which
prevails in any of the European ma
tons, and to a deeper appreciation of
the causes that make nations really
great. Whether her magnanimity viii
prove costly in the future it is impos-
sible TO say, but in any case Japan
secures the respect of the world and
that is an asset which may perhaps
yet prove more valuable than many
fortress"
The Daily Graphic also comments on
the relief Of Europe through the cessa-
ton Of the struggle. on the ground
that the utter destruction of Russia &
power in the far east would have lin
Volved the shifting of the balance of
power in Europe and been fatal TO the
long continuance Of European peace