The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-23

I8We6p pussibio cohNS"o'o'A' w WV FNF
demands. a.,
There Ia no man living Of moro masterful
personality than the German Emperor
Those who know both men have small
doubt Al to what will 10 the result of to-
morrow's interview, which will certainly
be Of greater historic importance than any
modern meeting Of monarchS. The ina si-
nation. indeed is staggered by its possible
oonse ouences. 1t will be interesting to
know what was its inception. THE SUMS
correspondent at st. Petersburg wires
. that 1t Ia due to the kaiser's initiative
THE SUNS Berlin correspondent. on the
other hand says II is Of the Cars seeking.
Is 1t the last desperate resort OF a DIS
tracted monarch who feels tho throne
tottering beneath him and longs to escape
with his life, or Is It preliminary to another
great move In world politics by tho master
mind who let's slip no opportunity Tor the
Acknowledgement of the German EmpireI
While we await the answer to these fateiui
questions we may turn to the less pressing
matter of the impending peace conference
S1rrE's REAL VIEWS ON THE WAR.
An unfavorable impression has been
created by NJ Whites declaration regard
ing Russia's peace attitude. The sole IN
terpretation put upon 1t IL that II Is dis-
heartened piece of bluff intended to alarm
Toxic. The Spectator justly remarks to-day
that NJ. Witte, like all other Russians, cannot
quite rid himself of the idea that he ~ ad-
dressing interiors and that it is we'll to
begin with a covert but perceptble menace
II il not a wise way of beginning and 1t
will somewhat shake confidence IN M.
Whites capacity. He forgets that Toxic
pntn
Witte, after all recent experience. imagine
that ,Japanese diplomacy il i'll informed?
The tone OF his interview seems to Indicate
thot bolf comprehension of ones enemy
which is always the greatest obstacle 10
successful negotiation.
Much more interesting and important
than this insincere pronunciamento Is
an article which NJ. Witte wrote before ne
was selected as peace plenipoteniiary ana
which is published this week anonymously
in the Revue de Paris. THE SUNS cores
snond6it has authoritative information
that M. Witte is the author of the article.
The writer discoses project Tor con-
vention which was proposed ny Japan
10 Russia in July 1903, and which hltherto
has been kept a secret. In the project
the two countries bound Themselves to
respect the independence and integrity
Of China and Corea and to maintain the
principle of equal opportunity for the trade
and industry Of all nations. They also
bound themselves to recognition OF
Japanese interests in Corea and the special
s,nterest Of Russia for railway enterprises
Manchllra
Clause 3 provided for the free develop
nnent of the trade of both countries In Corea
and Manchuria respectively, with promise
from R,rssu. NOT TO put obstacles m the
way OF the eventual extension of the Corean
railway as far as southern Manchuria
Russia by clause recognized as the
exclusive right of the Japanese the CIV
ing of advice and assistance to the Coreans
In the interest Of the good government OF
that country, necessary military aid being
Included.
In 1888 it was Russia who put herself
forward as the champion OF the integrity
of China against Japan. In 1903 japan
becomes the defender Of China against
Russia. But between these two dates Rus
sias policy has been completely reversed
She had taken over Port Arthur and hao
refused to evacuate Manchuria.
KA1sERs SHARE IN CHINESE GRABS.
The cause of the occupation Of Por,
Arthur. an act which was contrary to the
spirit and letter of the treaty OF 1895, il
thus explained:
A little more than year after the sign
ing Of this treaty the German Emperor
went to Russia. After a review which was
piyen In his honor and as the two Emperor
we're driving back alone to the palace En-
peror William suddenly said TO the GA
that be hoped the latter would see no OBJ
lection to German feet going to klao
chau to ayenge the murder of some Ger
man missionaries and he added that n
on his part would willingly see Russia Is
tablish herself at Port Arthur. Tbs Car
1 who was taken una wares, replied court
eously without giving his formal assen
to the proposal, but the tenor Of his re
ply was rather favorable than the reverse
The arrival Of the sovereigns at the palac
: cut short the conversation
Immediately upon his return to Berli
the Kaiser despatched a German fleet t
Kiao-chau NJ Muravieff was then Russia
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. Cabine
council was held early in November, q
which besides the Gar and this inste
II there were present M. Vannovski, Ministe
~ of War. NJ Tyrta1f, Minister of Marine
and M. Witte.
The writer of the article in the Rert
de Paris gives "A succnct account OF II
deliberations, in which NJ, Witte, in oppo'
ing the advice of NJ. Muravieif TO initial
the Germans by occupying Talienwa
and Port Arthur. urged that the treat
with China rendered such action impossible
Moreover, he said, Russia ought to do hi
best to induce Germany to evacuate kia'
chau. In any case, said NJ. Witte, Il
occupation of Port Arthur would con
promise Russia's Asiatic prestige, whit
& was based on traditional friendship wit
China. Such a change of policy woul
he urged, be disastrous, for it was aggre
sive.
NJ. Muravieh' s views, however. pr
vailed. A feet was sent to Port Arth1
on the prete1t of protecting China, wi
for three months of painful negotiate
"a sought to decline this protection which hs
been ,gratuitously thrust upon her +
nally. at the beginning of $685. the occ