Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-09-08

which they are viewed adds very ma
terlally to their stature and strength
mentally a. vel! a. physically, wheI
compared with other men. 1t ma,
he that which has detractcd SO much
from the estimate of EusSia's chic
envoy at Portsmouth, who, in the few
exciting moments after the Japs hat
sprung the surprise OF utter abandon
ment OF all formal stipulations as O
basis for peace. betrayed the weak
ness OF the ordinary-very ordinary
man, when he INDUCED in such boast.
ing as is attributed to him. One in
dication OF this is when he says:
The japanese presented their writ.
ten conditi"ns laid them aside with
ont looking at them and spoke of some
thing else. On leaving the room
Intentionally forgot the conditions lying
ON the table. When one OF the Japan
ese plenpotentiaries drew nv attention
to this, asking me ii did not wish to
take away secret documents which some
one might read, put the papers care
lessly in my pocket. 1t was thus to the
last minute OF the negotiations"
Then again, such vain glorious ut.
terances as follow would be consid.
cred almost maudlin if uttered by an
ordinary man, even though he had
dealt a solar picks blow to an auto
cratic opponent. He said:
THE Japanese wanted to take our
interned warships and have not con-
scented. The japanese wanted to limit
our naval power in the Far East and |
have not consented. The Japanese
wanted war indemnity or reimburse
ment for the cost of the war; ave,
demanded it, and have not consented.
The Japanese wanted the Chinese East
ern Railway south of Hardin, but gave
them only the railroad in possession of
their troops south of Chautafu. The
Japanese wanted Sakhalin and | refused
it, agreeing at the last moment to cede
the southern half, and then only because
l was commended by my sovereign TO
yield. Not only do we not pay so much
as a kopeck, but we obtain half of
Sakhalin. now in their possession. At
this mornings meeting presented my
written proposition which was the
Russian ultimatum. 1t was accepted by
the Japanese. was amazed. Until l
was in the conference room, I did not
think what would happen. 1 could not
anticipate such great and happy
ISSUE"
At the same sitting in which he
gave expression to this conceited
opinion, he said: cit seems incredi.
bic. l don't believe any other man in
my place would have dared to hope for
possibility Of peace under such con.
ditions as we have just agreed to-"
According to his own claim, "The
Japanese could not read in my face
what was passing in my heart. From
the outset l assumed such an indiffer-
ent tone that it carried conviction"
In this there is q remarkable simili-
tude to the methods Of Gen. Grant,
but the soldier did not let his tongue
run away with him. Therein was bis
strength. He looked seward and
said nothing" when asked bis opin.
ion upon all leading political ques.
tions. He never was betrayed into an
attitude that might place him beyond
his depth. While stolidity OF features
and reticence OF tongue may be in.
valuable adjuncts Of diplomacy, q rift
in the curtain may, it seems, disclose
the fact that ignorance may be con-
cealed thereby, as we'll as the wisdom
adorned by silence that is sometimes
indeed golden.
The weakness OF the eminent man
was doubtless momentary and caused
BY relaxation of nerves long strained
to the utmost tension. It was surely
the worst possible feeling to exhibit to-
wards foe who had made most WON
derful exhibit OF magnanimity.
tbs possibly fortunate for the cue
cess OF peace negotiations that the
Mikado's methods in dealing with
those who oppose bis will, the rapid
swish Of the snickersnee. 10 the stall.
wart hands OF the Lord High Execu-
TONER, has kept down the feeble but
deep murmurs of dissatisfaction over
the concessions made at Portsmouth.
What is said in Toxic papers, while
guarded, is extremely bitter. and a
serious outbreak might have been ex.
pected under any other government
on Earth. 1t is knowledge of this
powder mine under the throne, that
impelled President Roosevelt to en-
join the public to Whistle softly,
till out OF the woods" A little more
Boosting, little more cock-crowing,
and nothing could have held the voli.
tile people who have shown such
pluck, nerve and manhood, on the
field of battle; it could not have been
restrained, and the peace negotiations
would have gone glimmering down
the corridor of Time.
Nor has there seemed to be much
rejoicing in Russia. The rank and
file have been 60 long cognizant of the
power OF their sovereign that they
cannot realize he has been utterly
shorne OF it, routed, never to fine
recognition as head of q worlds
power. This was another menace fol
that perfect peace that the rab BILE thi.
side the water regarded az beyont
question.
On the other hand, Japan has wor
more than she fought for. She mas .
place among the great nations; the
most fertile part OF Sakhalin; Por
Arthur, Russia's only ice-free harbor
Dalney, the Cars model city; recog
milton OF Japan's preponduating in