Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-11
THE NOTE or pEssnf1sM

Judging from the note of pessimism
in the dispatches regarding the peace
conference there is a pretty general ap-
prehension that the ENJOYS will not be
able to reach an agreement. II Is TO be
remarked that the existence of such a
feeling is by no means extraordinary.
Preceding every conference Of modern
times for arranging terms Of peace be-
tween warning nations there has been
more or less doubt as to whether the
purpose of the conference would be at
tanned This was the case when the
representatives Of the United States and
Spain met in Paris, Notwithstanding the
fact that the victory of this country was
most complete and it was perfectly evil
dent that Spain could do nothing fur
ther. Sc.
In the present instance there is. Of
course, quite different situation. While
Russia has suffered defeat and her mill
tary power has been greatly crippled,
she is not utterly unable to continue
the war. Her armies in Manchuria are
estimated to number 100000 men and
although the Japanese forces are much
larger Russia can still carry on war
for a long time, particularly in the
event of the czar taking such action
in behalf of reforms as would stimulate
popular patriotism and put check upon
revolutionary tendencies The presump-
ton is that Russia will reject peace
that involves a heavy indemnity and
important cessions Of territory, which 1t
is expected will be a part of the Japa-
nese demands. There appears to he
particular aversion on the part of Rus
sia to paying an indemnity, yet it seems
to be certain that one will be demanded
and probably be insisted. This. 1t is
thought, will be the chief obstacle to
peace, though it is possible that the
japanese ENJOYS will be found willing
to accept something in lieu of a money
payment.
1t has been suggested that Japan
may at the outset make her terms such
as she deems moderate and If these are
not accepted she will make harder de
mands. This is very unlikely, the prob
ability being that the terms which have
been framed at Toxic will be insisted
upon as long as there appears to be
any chance of their acceptance and
modified when it becomes plain that
they will not be accepted. Then, again,
the japanese government may be firmly
determined not to recede from any of
the demands which it shall at first make
and if these shall include heavy in
demnity the failure of the conference
will be altogether probable.
1t should be known in a few days
what Japan wants as the price of peace
and it is quite possible that these will
be shown to be much more moderate
than is commonly expected. There is
no question that she desires peace and
such being the case 1t is reasonably to
be assumed that she will not be ex-
cessive in her demands, making them
such only as she deems necessary to her
future peace and security. Russia can
continue the war. Her resources for
that purpose are not wholly exhausted.
But she is at a very great disadvantage
as the situation now stands and must
realize what a continuance of hostilites
would mean for her. With widespread
popular unrest In the empire, famine
threatening large numbers OF her people
and unable to borrow money for war
expenditures, it would seem that Russia
should accept peace upon almost any
terms