Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-12
JhPANs DEMANDS.

There is nothing surprising in the de
mands submitted to the Russian ENJOYS
by the representatives Of japan. The
reports which had preceded the formal
presentation Of the japanese conditions
are shown to have been in tile main
correct and the impression that these
were to be in some respects hard, II not
excessive, is borne out by the formal
statement Of what japan deems to be es-
sential TO a peace agreement
Primarily is the question of indemnity.
In regard to this the japanese govern
ment seeks to avoid the Objectionable
phrase by simply asking that Russia
shall repay her for the cost of the war,
the sum to be subsequently adjusted,
possibly by a board of arbitration, but
this does not alter the principle involved.
Under whatever name 1t will still be an
indemnity and this is severe upon Rus
sian sensitiveness. Defeat the Russian
government cannot help but recognize.
1t cannot but confess that its armies
have been beaten and its navies de-
HlibNtAk nut IL sun GlluEH W Nllt lhNh
that to pay an indemnity involves a
humiliation greater than any which it
has suffered through defeat and there
fore must be persistently resisted. Nor
is humiliation all. A great indemnity
would have to be met by a vast addi-
tlonal burden of taxation upon the peo-
pie and already the weight of this is
most oppressive. To impose more might
and probably would mean an aggrava-
ton Of the internal conditions that are
today intensifying popular conditions in
the direction Of revolution.
In this. therefore, as has been repeat
edly pointed out. is the chief obstacle
to peace. Will Japan recede? Her
claim is just she was forced into war.
After making every effort to obtain from
Russia a fair and honorable agreement
that would have averted hostilitles Japan
went to war I'm order to preserve her
national character. 1t was a tremen-
dOus venture, regarded by the entire civ
illzed world as almost reckless. Even
those most familiar with japanese re-
sources when the war began did not
think that she could hold out a year
against her formidable enemy, The re-
suit has surprised the world and today
Japan occupies place among the great
military powers of the world hardly
second to any. Has she a right to de-
mand reimbursement for the cost of the
40 80 fnIy
that any government or people will deny
it.
AS to the demand for the cesslon Of
the island of Sakhalin it seems almost
superfiuous in view Of the fact that 1t
is already in the possession of Japan and
she ia abundantly able to hold IL. Justly
considered, Japan has every right to this
island, which was formerly hers and
was taken by Russia under conditions
by no means fair and honorable. AS to
the other reported Japanese demands,
there is not one OF them that is not fully
warranted by the circumstances and all
are manifestly essential to her future
peace and safety. Russia has staked
nST ldte III Nhe LuI cdsl upon tliis "ui'
under circumstances that are condemned
by the civilized world. She has violated
every principle of honorable interna-
tional intercourse and fair dealing. She
has been beaten by power deemed to
be far inferior in every respect. Why
should she not to the fullest extent pay
the penalty? The japanese conditions
to peace are certainly hard, but who
will assert that they are not iust2