The sun., 1905-07-31
ElTTB NOT CERTAIN Or PEACE.
RUSSIAN ENVOY HINTS JAPAN
MAY DEMAND TOO MUOH.

MAY DEMAND TOO MUOH.
Intervtewed On steamer ~ Sea and state
ments Arc Sent by Wireiess-says Czar
IL sincere in Desire 10 End the war on
Fair Terms-Full Power TO Nesotiatc'
Special cebis Despatch TO THE suM.
LONDON. July Si.-The Telegraph prints
an interview with N. Witte, the Russian
peace envoy. who is q passenger on the
steamer Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse. The
interview was transmitted by wireless
telegraphy from correspondent on board
the steamer.
The correspondent opened tho converse
{ on by referring to the two opinions enter
tanned In regard to the outcome OF the
negotiations to be held at Portsmouth.
M. witte replied very deliberately;
Both sides arc greatly mistaken In speak
ing Of the negotiations about TO take place
In New Hampshire. II I knew what was
going to negotiate with Japan's plenipo-
tentiary there Ishould feel much moro hope
full a. to the results than do, but such 10
not the case
tits usual whom plenipotenuaries meet
that they come to give and take within GER
tain sharply defined limits and they gener-
ally agree In the end Contrary to usage.
however, Japan's representative and my
self are setting out without any such pre-
lminary understanding. We have no
common basis whatever. Therefore. our
powers-at any rate-mine are very COM
plete.
But in spite OF this fulness Of powers.
feel my role at the outset to be that Of an
imperial courier sent to learn the terms
on which the Mikados Government Is
ready to make peace. The very fact OF
my being despatched on such an erTand
is conclusive proof Of the sincerity Of my
imperial master.
Beyond question IL would have been
much better II japan and Russia had agreed
upon a common basis before appointing
plenipotentiaries. but as this could not be
We must make the best Of thin gs as they are.
The Emperor. whose Instructions shall
faithfully carry out. is animated by inten-
tions which win assure dly command the
respect Of tho world and will also merit and
receive tho approval OF the entire Russian
nation.
Ito stop the war just when tho tide Of
reverses appears to be turning back Is
proceeding which requires more moral
courage than people commonly imagine.
My imperial master has given proof OF
this. He desires real and abiding peace
conditions. which while just to the real
facts cannot take into consideration nero
fancies.
THE war broke out because certain de-
mands preferred by Japan were rejected
by Russia. In the ensuing campaign for.
tune was favorable to our enemy. who
therefore insists upon the fulflment OF
these demands. She further expects that
her military and naval successes shall be
treated as titles to other CONCESSIONS not
included in her original claim.
Il consider that legitimate subject Of
discussion. am ready to deal with that
matter in a businesslike spirit. give and
take, but what cannot and will not enter
tain are demands based on expected mill
tary successes In the future. It Is, OF
course, always open to victorious belli-
gerens In all wars to make roseate fore
casts Of what would have happened II the
war had gone on long enough. That is
an indeiess:h!e right which no one can
question. ~ - .'.s -
But II would be simply proposterous to
expect that the possible results Of luck
hould not only be regarded, but also tr eated
a. real achievements and placed to the
credit Of tho victor in arranging terms Of
peace Considerations Of that kind must
be wholly eliminated, otherwise We might
on the same principle be asked to
discount an invasion Of Western
Siberia or even European Russia on the
ground that II only the campaign had lasted
long enough fortune would have chung
tenadously to our enemies and their roseate
anticpations might ultimately have como
to pass. We must keep ourselves well
within the limit Of accomplished facts II
we hope to agree upon common basis
for negotiations 3. =
MY imperial master and will do any
thing compatible with Russia's honor and
dignity to establish the work Of which I
have been an answering advocate. Ifmy
endeavors fail it certainly will not be for
lack Of sincerity or want Of reasonable
ness.
my first task, however, will not be to
carry on negotiations, but to go in search
Of q basis for fruitful discussion. That Is
why I look upon myself at the present
moment less as q peace negotiator, while
fervently hope, having found common
ground, that role may fall to my lot