Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-14
OPPOSED 10 SECRECY.

The statement that NJ. Witte is op-
posed to the observance of secrecy re
gardlng the proceedings of the peace
conference will cause some surprise, it
having been understood before the meet
ing that the Russian ENJOYS were quite
as desirous as those Of Japan that the
details of the deliberations should not
be given to the public, but that a mere
statement should Le made from day TO
day, as should be agreed upon by both
sides, showing the status Of the negotia-
tiOns.
The position in this matter Of the chief
Russian plenipotentiary is likely to be
generally commended. He is reported
as saying that his government has moth
ing to conceal and wants it's attitude
clearly set before the world. "We have
nothing to conceal and nothing to fear,p
he is quoted as having declared. This
willingness for publicity has not hitherto
characterized Russian diplomacy. In the
preeent instance II appears to be
prompted by feeling that publicity is
necessary to enable the Russians to
show the world the true character of
the issue between the belligerents and
to place their country in a position to
obtain a Just verdict from the rest Of
mankind. We think It is not to be
doubted that the world is now pretty
thoroughly informed as TO the real ma
ture of the issue between Russia and
Japan. 1t has not forgotten the very
earnest efforts that were made by the
latter nation to effect an agreement that
would have averted hostilities. 1t re-
members very clearly the prolonged ne
gotiations at Toxic and the scheming for
delay employed by the Russian govern
ment while it was vigorously strength
ening its military and naval power in
the far east All this is history and JUS
tiies the claim of Japan that the war
was forced upon her. 1t is absurd for
Russia TO assert that she was not pre-
pairing for possible hostilities when she
was sending great numbers of troops
into Manchuria as rapidly as they could
be transported and augmenting her
naval strength in Asiatic waters.
AS TO these facts, therefore, the world
is fully enlightened and they amply JUS
tify Japan's course Such being the
case, there does not appear to be any
sound reason for the requirement of the
Japanese ENJOYS that the negotiations at
Portsmouth shall be kept secret. They
have nothing to lose through giving them
the fullest publicity. The japanese have
shown most excellent judgment in cloak
ing with secrecy their military opera
tions. That policy has been of the great
est Importance and value to them. But
in the contest Of diplomacy now going on
there is no need of Withholding from an
anxious world complete information as
to the progress of the negotiations.
Japan can afford to do this. Her cause
has right and justice on its side the
sympathy of nearly all the nations is
with her and she would run no risk in
letting the world know what reasons and
arguments she has to offer in support of
the conditions to peace which she de-
mands. If the Russian ENJOYS really de-
sire publicity for the proceedings Of the
conference 1t should be conceded by
Japan's representatives, whose cause
cannot be benefited by secrecy or in
jured by letting all men know what may
be urged in ITS sunnort