The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-08
She Staksd Her Existence on tht Present War
BARON SUYEMATSU SPEAKS
The Mlkado Has Decided on No Terms of Peace Because of Unwilling ness to Skin Bear Be-
 fore 1t Is Shot.

London, April 7.-Baron Suyematsu, for merly Japanese minister Of the interior has written an interesting and significant article for The Outlook, under the head ing, War and Indemnity-the Japanese Claim"
 The whole trend of the article Is in- tended to show that Japan will carry on the war until Russia consents to pay indemnity The Baron says:
 "A canon of the Japanese Bushido IS one should not unsheath the sword unless in case of absolute necessity, nor re- store it to it's sheath unless one Is totally overcome or has secured equitable satisfaction for one cause. This is our ideal in international intercourse. The sword of Japan is drawn, and the aim for which it was unsheathed has scarcely been attained. We want peace which will secure tranquility in the far east for at least a generation or two.
 Was Caprice With Russia.
 ''The M 'a should know that in the present war Japan staked her very ex- istence. whereas with the enemy it was a mere war of caprice. Why then, in case of defeat, should not Russia be made responsible in equitable accordance with the nature of the affairx I believe, there fore. that in case of the adversary asking 1 for peace the satisfaction which she will have to make to Japan should in- clude making good the material loss of | Japan; in other words, indemnity"
 Baron Suyematsu says further:
 Japan has not formulated definite
 terms of peace, because she nght be &C.,
 cused of skinning the bear before 1t is
 shot. We have, however, outlined our
 idea"
 The article argues out the righteousness l of Japan's position in demanding in
 demnity as a basic condition and contro- | verts the idea which, he says, he finds 1 prevalent outside of Japan, that Japan Is
 willing to make peace at any price. yoms
 say" the Baron continues, that for hu- manitys sake, an armistlce sl.e uld be con l cluded with a view to negotiating peare. It is all very well to talk of humanity, | but no injustice must be perpetrated in | the name of humanity. If proposi- ton arising out of the question of human
 ity gives more advantage to one more | than another of the contending parties, | 1t cannot be justice"
 | Baron Suyematsu treats sarcastically
 the special plea that Russia should be l allowed to save her face" and com l pares Japan to a dwarf fighting a giant | and says:
 Glad Bubble Is Pricked.
 "The public at large seefns to have | gauged the relative value of Russia and l Japan. They are glad that the large bub- | blc which had been causing nightmare | to so many people for so long time, has | been pricked They have seen that il
 was no use to suppress Japan's move | ments by the combined force of western i! powers. Yet there seems for the instant
 In the air a sort of compassion for our | adversary. This idea arising out of some psychological instability is inconsistent. The Baron refers to the announcement | of St. Petersburg early in the war that | an enormous indemnity would be demand | ed. and that the terms would be dictated | in Tokio, We are far from assuming such an attitude" the writer says, but We believe that justice ought to be done us. 4,o mere sentiment shall be allowed
 to decide the merits of the cause" In conclusion Baron Suyematsu says: Some say that Japan might be induced | to forego a claim for Indemnity pro-
 vided England and America gave good | assurance for future peace. We appreciate of course, the general sentiment of Eng | land and America. We are anxious to
 maintain the best friendship with these | two countries, more particularly than oth- | CT countries. We should. therefore, be very sorry if we were to be told that we | should forego on account of that friend | ship. any claim to what we deem just to | demand"