New-York tribune., 1905-06-13
GOOD FAITH IN PEACEHAKTNG.

The dsQuieting rumor that Russia would not
appoint plenipotentiary envoy to meet the one
appointed by Japan, but would send repre-
sentative void OF real authority, In order to get
Japan to "show her hand" before committing
Russia to anything, was, we may now hope, un-
founded. 1t seemed at the outset incredihle
We have assumed from the beginning that both
powers were in earnest In accepting the Presi-
dents suggestions for making peace. 1t seemed
impossible that either would commit an act OF
questionable courtesy toward this country. such
as that which was rumored, or would give the
other so much cause for suspicion and oHence-
Certainly Russia could not well afford TO do So
If she is not exactly a suppliant for peace, she
is at least much more In need Of peace than Is
Japan. 1t is because Of her overwhelming losses
and Of the hopeless outlook for her campaign
that prompt negotiations for peace are urged
1t must be supposed, therefore, that she is act
ing in good faith and that she will send pleni-
potentiary to meet the plenipotentiary Of Japan
Her envoy may not be authorized to make
final treaty of peace. We suppose that accord
ing TO the usual custom, there will first be nego-
tiated protocol, preparatory to the final treaty
making But it is necessary for the ENJOYS VINO
meet for that purpose to meet on equal terms
We assume that Russia VIII act in good faith
In this matter, partly for the sake OF her own
honor and good repute and partly out OF cour-
tesy to the neutral nation whose chief OF state
has taken the initiative In bringing about the
peace negotiations. 1t might be added that she
would probably do so, If for no other and higher
reason. because Japan is the last country In the
world to be caught mapping. It may be recalled
that ten years ago China sent to Japan peace
ENJOYS who were not plenipotentary- They did
| not succeed In their errand. Marquis Ito would
not show his hand" to them. They returned
| TO China and in their place Ii Hung Chang was
"a a
Your government had doubt the earnest de-
"sire to restore peaceful relations between our
countries, yet the Ambassadors first appointed
Ibid not seem to be seriously bent upon restor-
ling harmony We are plenipotendaries
'of the first rank If our acts are not enforced
"the inevitable consequences will be national
disgrace and renewed war. I shall be
"able to perform what l promise. So may It be
with you" There can be question that
japanese negotiators now will be as Vigtlant as
they were ten years ago, and as insistent upon
the fullest authority and responsibility on the
part of the Russian ENJOYS.
There is the more need of Russa's sending
plenipotentiaries because there is reason to be-
lieve that the war arose largely from the awk-
ward and ominous practice Of conducting nego-
tiations at long range from st Petersburg. Dur
ing those critical months of discussion In the lat
ter part Of 1903 and first part of 1904, delay,
embarrassment and irritation resulted from the
necessity of referring everything to ST Peters
burg Moreover the war party was In con-
troll at that capital and it was so out of touch
with the real situation and SO ignorant of actual
conditions at the front that 1t carried the nation
laundering into war Had Baron de Rosen, at
Toxic been plenipotentiary the would
probably have been averted. Russia will doubt
less appreciate the desra bility, in both the pre-
llminary and the final negotiations, Of avoiding
repetition OF that error Wherever the negoti-
ators meet they should meet in practical inde
pendence Of both Toxic and st. Petersburg. 1t
may be necessary to refer some great finallties
TO the home governments, but such should sure
IL not be the case with every detail of proceed
ure The negotia tors should and doubtless viii
be plenipotentiaries who will SO know the minds
of their home governments and so command their
confidence as to be able to speak to each other
with authority and to agree upon terms of peace
the ratification of which by the home govern
ments will not be uncertain Good faith Of that
kind will be auspicious Of successful negotia-
tons and of a lasting peace