Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-08-02
JAPAN NEAR TO ENGLAND
New Anglo-Japanese Treaty Of
Alliance VIII Soon Be
Concluded.
Witte Says Car Desires Lasting So
luton Of Far Eastern
Problem.
MAKE NO TERMS WITHOUT HONOR.

reSS is beng made with the new Anglo
japanese treaty Of alliance, which the
foreign Office hopes will be concluded at
an early date Some of the details have
not yet been fully settled, but it can
definitely be stated that the terms will
be decidedly more comprehensive than
those governing the present alliance.
The treaty will be promulgated as soon
as completed, there being a desire on the
part OF the British government to make
I its publication dependent on the concIu-
sion of peace.
AS to the suggestion that Great Brit
ain should advise Japan to be lenient,
I the Associated Press learns that the
| British governments presumption is that
its advice will be asked by Japan III the
course OF the peace negotiations and that
it will then gladly offer what counsel
may seem to 1t best calculated to assure
q permanent peace.
Witte Is Interviewed.
The London Daily Telegraph's special
correspondent on board the Kaiser Will
helm der Crosse sends by wireless tele-
graph. via the Lizard, a dispatch giving
an interview with NJ. Witte.
The correspondent informed the Rus
sian envoy of the trend of public opinion
In England respecting peace and war,
saying that, while many people expressed
confidence that the negotiations in New
Hampshire will eliminate in q lasting
peace, others feel equally sure that,
| whether in consequence of Russia S luke
warmness or Japan's eXOrbitant de-
mands, the pour parlers will end in mere
talk. Mr.. Wltte, in reply, deliberately
said:
Both sides are greatly mistaken in
speaking of the negotiations about to
| toIy ,lo I T
knew that l was going to negotiate
with Japan's plenipOtentiary there |
| should feel much more hopeful as to the
results than | do; but such is not the
case.
/ No Preliminary Understanding.
Usually the way is, when plenipoten-
tiaries meet, that they come to give
and take, within certain sharply defined
limits, and they generally agree in the
end. Contrary to usage, however
| Japan's representative and myself are
setting out without any such preliminary
understanding. We have no common
! basis whatever, and therefore our pow
ers, or, at any rate, mine, are complete.
But in this fullness of powers | feel
| that my role at the outset IS that of an
| imperial courier sent to learn the terms
on which the Mikado's government is
ready to make peace. The fact of my
! being dispatched on such an errand is a
conclusive proof that the sincerity of my
! imperial master is beyond question. 1t
| would have been much better if Japan
and Russia had agreed upon a common
basis before appointing their plempoten-
tiaries, but this could not be and we
must make the nest of things as they
are.
To Garry OF Cars Wishes.
"The Emperor, whose instructions l
shall faithfully carry out, is animated by
| intentions which assuredly will command
the respect of the world, but will also
merit and receive the approval of the
entire Russian nation. To stop the war
lust when the tide of reyerses appears To
be turning back is a proceeding which
REQUIRES more moral courage than people
commonly imagine My imperial master
has given proof of this. He desires a
real. abiding peace on conditions which,
while Just to the real facts, cannot take
into consideration mere fancles.
1T is claimed the war broke out be-
cause certain demands preferred by
Japan were rejected by Russia. In the
ensuing campaign fortune was favorable
to our enemy, who, therefore, insists on
the fulfillment Of these demands. She
further expects that her military and ma
val successes shall be treated as titles to
other concessions not included in her
original claim. | consider that a legiti-
| mate subject for discussion. l am ready
to deal with that matter in a business
| like spirit Of give and take, but what
| I cannot and will not entertain are de-
mands based upon expected military sue
| cesses in the future.
at is, of course, always open to vic
torious bellgerents in all wars to make
| roseate forecasts of what would have
| happened if the war had gone on long
! enough That is an indefeasible right
which no one can question, but it would
be simply preposterous to expect that
possible results of luck should be not
/ IL
| achievements and placed to the credit Of
the victor. In arranging the terms of
peace considerations of that kind must
be wholly eliminated.
"Otherwise we might, on the same
principle, be asked to discount the inva-
sion of western Siberia or even Euro
mean Russia on the ground that if only
and fortune had chung tenaciously to our
enemies, their roseate anticipations ulti-
matey might come to pass.
To Conserve National Honor.
1--WE must leave to novelists the ade-
| Quate treatment of what might have
| been, and keep ourselves we'll within
| the limit OF accomplished facts, if we
| hope to agree upon a common basis for
the negotiations. Conversant with the
| humane intentions of my imperial mas
ter, [ will do anything compatible with
| Russia's honor and dignity to establish
that work of which l have been an I'M
swerving advocate. If my endeavors
fail it will certainly not be for lack of
sincerity nor want of reasonableness.
MY first task, however, in the new
world will not be to carry on negotia
| lions. but to go in search of a basis for
| fruitful discussion. That is why | look
| upon myself at the present moment less
as peace negotiator, while l fervently
hope that common ground having been
found. the latter role also may fall to
my lot"
Japs Sweep Sakhalin ISLE
Toxic, July 31.-The Japanese army on
Sakhalin island is defeating the Russian
troops everywhere, inficting heavy
losses. The subjugation of the entire is
land is question of a short time.
Stoessel Relieved of Command.
St. Petersburg, July 31-Gen Stoes-
sci has been relieved of command of the
Third Siberian army corps