The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-06-18
The Question of Indemnity
In Settlement of the War.

Al SSktAStlkSi4t VI tA4C /" 01S
After all the magnificent victories
that the Japanese have won since
they first declared war against the Rus
sian government, it begins to look
very much as though history was
about to repeat itself and Japan be de-
MED the full fruits of her great victory
over the supposedly unconquerable,
but really unwieldly, empire of the
Car.
Since the war began, on February
5, 1904, ii Is estimated that the cost
OF the conflict to the government of
the Mikado has been, in round num-
bers, $500, 100000 and the total casu-
aIties in battle are estimated at 170,-
OG0 men. In view of these enormous
figures it would seem that war in
6emnity of one billion dollars is not
unreasonable, especially in view Of the
fact that Japan will not probably de-
mand the cession of territory, possibly
excepting the island of Sakhalin, now
I 0SC0 aS q AbuooAaA PCAoA OCllACnCANy
hut which WIS formerly the property
of Japan. OF course Russia, in addi-
ton to paying an indemnity will have
TO sacrifice the Chinese Eastern rail-
way, connecting the Trans7Siberian
line with Port Arthur, and it is pos
sIble that Japan may demand that
even the Siberian road, which was
built almost solely for military pur-
poses, be hereafter devoted strictly to
/ commercial purposes. However this
may be, it has always been the Gus
/ tom for victorious nations to exact
cash indemnity and it is foregone
conclusion that Japan win act in a
/ like manner.
I Pressure is being brought to bear
upon Japan to reduce the indemnity
to the lowest possible figure. the ar.
gument being advanced that the pay
menf of one billion dollars by Russia
would not only bankrupt that country,
but would have a tendency to disturb
the money markets of all Europe Just
what is meant by "the lowest possible
/ figure" has not been stated and just
what the powers, who are busily en-
gagged mixing up in the question, con
slider a reasonable indemnity" is un
) known. 1t would seem that one billion
dollars, however, is not unreasonable
In view of all the facts, and there is
even precedent for exacting that
sum. Germany collected that sum from
France after defeating the latter ma
ton and, while conditions may have
changed since that time, history zoe:
not record that any other nation fell
called upon to suggest" that thf
amount was exorbitant or that it would
disturb the finances of Europe.
After her successful combat witt
the Chinese a little over 10 years agC
) Japan was despoiled of the fruits o.
victory by the powers at the instance
of Russia, who forthwith proceeded Il
take possession of Lao Tung PENN
sula for commercial purposes" o
2 course with the sanction of China tn,
latter country being coerced into grant
Ing the Russian demands. Immediate
ly possession was secured Russia for
, got all about the commercial end o
the compact and proceeded to cree
what she thought was an impregnabi
fortress that would command the Sc
OF Japan and the north Pacific Ocean
e Not satisfied with this she extende,
{ her sphere of influence" to Korea an
I portions of Manchuria. thus threaten
ing the very life of the japanese en-
pire. 1t was but natural that thi
should have been resented by Japan
e and when the protest was made it wa
Il turued down so strongly that Japal
was forced TO take the only course lei
open and resort to arms.
Japan, apparently, does not desir
tie acquisition of territory. with tn
|. possible exception of Sakahlin and, c
course, the fortress at Port Arthur
and the latter she has justly won an
will probably not consent to give III
= Beyond this It is possible that only
u cash indemnity will be demanded, ant
Il as her actual expenses have been
| billion and a half to say nothing of tn
thousands of patriots who have she
It their blood on the battlefelds of Maj
8 churia, it would seem that one billio
!, dollars is not excessive, although emo
NOUS
Japan has more to fear from Il
e game of diplomacy than she has to fea
e, from actual warfare and the meetin
II of the plenipotentaries of the two n
tons at Washington will be watche
with more than ordinary interes
When the game has been finished,
the powers refrain from mixing in
d. it viii be found that the little brow
n, men OF the Far East are thorough