Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-03
THE JAPANESE DEMANDS.

Ihere are TWO pOlltlcal parties III
japan which are making themselves
heard in connection with the question of
making peace with Russia and it is an
interesting fact that whatever may be
their disagreements in regard to general
policies they are practically agreed as
to the terms which the government
should insist upon in making peace.
Thus the constitutionalist party urges
that in the interest of permanent Sc
curity there must be a cassion of terri
tory and the repayment of the OUTLAWS
caused by the war, as well as a definite
settlement of the Corean and Manchu-
progressive party, which proposes in adj
dition that Russia shall be forbidden TO
raise works for warlike use in localities
where Japan's interests might be men-
aced and also that Russia be compelled
to reinquish the privileges she has en-
joyed in Manchuria, refrain from future
interference with the Manchurian ques-
ton and pledge herself to undertake no
measure deemed to be menacing peace
or to the frontiers of China.
1t is an easy inference from these
statements of the views of the two
parties what will be the nature of the
terms which Japan will propose when
the peace negotiations are entered upon.
Just what cessions of territory the Jap
anese government may ask can only be
conjectured but undoubtedly there will
be something demanded in this direction
and 1t is obviously essential to the Sc
curity for which that power went to
war. The more important considera-
ton, however, and the one as 20 which
the Russian government is likely to
make the most strenuous objection, is
outlays caused by the war. Russia nay
be found quite willing to give up such
territory as Japan shall ask, but when
it comes to binding herself to repay to
Japan the cost of the war, amounting to
perhaps not less than thousand million
dollars, there is to be expected firm
refusal to accede to so hard condition.
| Not only would this impose upon the
Russian government a neavy burden,
necessitating an increase IN taxation
which would bear most severely upon
the already over-taxed people, but It
would also be a source OF almost iutol-
cradle humiliation. 1t is difficult to con-
ceive of anything that could be more
crushing to Russian pride, AS the pen
atty Of defeat, than to be compelled to
repay to the yictor-regarded at the out
set of the war as in all respects inferior
the cost OF the conflict.
That such a demand would be en-
tirely justifable is uhquestionable, yet
1t is the one thing that is likely TO prove
an insurmOuntable obstacle TO the sue
cess of peace negotiations, assuming as
1t is reasonable to do, that the japanese
government will follow the counsel of
the parties which have already urged
their views upon II. How powerful OF
influential these parties are we are IN,
able TO say. but that they carry great
weight with the government as repre-
senting the popular opinion and will is
not to be doubted. The report from st
Petersburg regarding the position Of tho
Russian government indicates the prob
ability of radical disagreementS, Lnt
this may be largely surmise. Indeed the
statement that Russia will refuse to Pay
any indemnity seems improbable. Mean
while the outlook for an early peace
does not appear to be as favorable al
could be wished.