New-York tribune., 1905-08-25
INDEMNITY AND OTHER THINGS


The authoritative statement" made to The
Associated Press in behalf OF Russia declares
that unless the peace conference is to fall
Japan must withdraw without reserve her de-
mand for indemnity in any form. The same
declaration had been made before, and has been
made since Russia may stand by it may
recede from it, and Japan may persist in her
demand may bate it. We do not profess
to have foreknowledge of the event. But this
is TO be said again, that the question of indem
nifty is one of expediency, and not of honor
France in 1871 began by declaring she would
never pay single sOu-or was it centlme! =!
She ended by paying a billion dollars: but we
never heard that her honor thus tarnished
OF course, circumstances then were far differ
ent from what they are now. France was
much more at the mercy of Germany than Rus
sia is at the mercy of Japan or is likely to be-
Moreover, Bismarck imposed that enormous in
demnity for the purpose of crushing France
for a generation to come while Japan has no
such purpose toward Russia, but merely seeks
reimbursement for her expenses. These
differences in circumstances should really make
it less CALLING TO Russa's pride to pay an in
demnity than II was TO Frances.
The statement is also made, presumably from
Russian inspiration, that since the beginning of
the peace discussion there has been absolutely
nothing to suggest that Russia could or would
pay indemnity but that Russia will never pay
an indemnity (which would most seriously
menace the life of the state" 1t seems incred-
ible that Russians mean TO say 1t Is beyond the
power of their government TO raise the money
for an indemnity or that to do so would bank
rupt the empire, yet that would be the natural
Interpretation of those words. 1t would be
deplorabe thing for Russia to have the world
understand that her refusal to pay indemnity
arose from her financial inability to pay 1t
1t would be equally deplorable for Japan to in
cur the imputation of demanding an indemnity
because she needs the money and will be in
financial straits without it Yet by certain
form of insistence each power might give rise
TO such suspicious. We assume, however, that
Russia would be financially able to pay
indemnity, and that she could do so without
loss of honor or dignity, or any serious menace
TO her national life, and we assume that Japan
could easily afford to rest content with having
gained the real ends aimed at in the war and
without a single cent of reimbursement. The
indemnity question, we repeat, is not, on either
side, one of necessity or Of honor, but purely OF
policy and expediency, and 1t is thus to be
considered and disposed of in connection with
the other issues Of the controversy.
1t is agreeable to see that according to re-
port, Japan is willing to waive her demands
for limitation of Russian naval power in the
sian ships We have never thought those de-
mands judicious. The former would secure no
practical benefit while it would cause much
needless irritation. The latter has no basis in
law or equity unless the surrendered ships
were to be counted as much payment of in
demnity Russia is quite right in saying that
the interned ships ARE RussiaS by right, and
Ito ask that they be handed over to Japan is
"to demand q breach of the law of nations
ever, be applied rnutGttS mutdndis to another
point to the effect that "Saghalen is Japan'S
"by right and TO ask that it be handed over
ito Russia is to demand a breach of the law
"of nations" This must be realized in Russia
as well as elsewhere. Saghalien, however,
would be of far greater value TO Russia than
to Japan and it may be that the Russian gov
ernment will think it wise to ransom or re
purchase it from Japan at a round price, and
also to pay-as we understand it is quite willing
to do-for the maintenance and care Of Rus
sian prisoners in Japan; and then it may be
that japan in view of these things and of her
enormous gains in warships from the captured
Russian fleets, and, above all, of her winning
the real objects of the war; may think it wise
magnanimousy to give up her demand for mere
pecuniary profit or even reimbursement. The
serious thinking of the next twenty-fOur hours
ought to convince the ENJOYS on both sides that
measurably more profitable and more honorable
to both nations than any continuation of the
war.