Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-19
RussI1's POSITION As TO PEACE.

RUssLAs POSITION As TO PEACE.
Ever since the peace conference be-
came an assured fact there have been
coming from st. Petersburg statements
Of the position OF the Russian govern
ment in regard TO possible demands ON
the part Of Japan. AS IL by way of
admonition TO the Toxic government, the
world has been informed through the
press OF Russia and lastly through its
chief plenipotentiary that the govern
ment does not propose to accept peace
al. any price and that IL the war is to
be ended Japan must make such mod
crate and reasonable terms as the cEar
can accept. There is no intlmation, of
course, as to what terms would be OBJ
jectlonable, but 1t is pretty well under
stood that a demand for large indemnity,
sufficient perhaps to repay japan for the
pecuniary cost Of the war; would be
vigorously opposed by Russia. This is
probably what that government is chiefly
anxious to avoid, but 1t is not the only
thing. There are several other condi-
lions to peace which japan may propose
that would doubtless be vigorously re-
sisted by her foe, as for instance the
dismantling OF Vladivostok and en- agree
ment not 20 again send warships into
Asiatic waters. 1t is not at all unlikely
that both these demands will be made
by Japan and firmly insisted upon, as
being absolutely necessary to the future
security Of that nation. There are some
other conditions which Japan may re-
quire that will not be pleasing to Rus
STA.
NJ. witte, the chief plenipotentiary, is
reported as saying that the world should
disabuse its mind of the idea that Russia
wants peace at any price. He is further
quoted as declaring that Russia is not
crushed, that the country is not on the
verge Of dissolution as great power,
and that il is not obliged to accept any
conditions offered, in spite of the mill
tary reverses 1t has sustained. This from
man who is the foremost representa-
tive OF the peace element is entitled to
respectful consideration, for there can
be no doubt as to its sincerity. But
what is the motive for such an outgiv-
ing2 Is 1t designed for a warning to
the Toxic government or is It intended
to prepare the nations for a conflict and
possible failure of the negotiations in
the peace conference? NJ. Witte has re-
ceived his instructions. Is 1t to be In
ferred that these are OF nature which
leads him to expect that the efforts for
peace will not be successful? There APP
pears to be purpose in Russia to arouse
western sentiment in antagonism to ia
pan and It cannot be confidently as
serted that the Russian ENJOYS are not
in sympathy with that purpose. A lead
ing paper OF St. Petersburg says that
Europe no longer believes in Japan's
assurances that It will not restrict Eu-
ropean interests in the far east" and
urges that the Russian plenipotentiaries
must defend not only the interests of
their own country, but those of other
western nations. This intimates danger
to the commercial interests OF the occi-
dental countries, no one OF which is seri-
ously spprehending any danger to those
interests.
1t is noteworthy that while the world
is getting a great deal of opinion and
suggestion from the Russian capital re-
lating TO the forthcoming peace confer
ence, nothing comes from Toxic or from
the ENJOYS of the Japanese government
They are keeping their own counsel and
do not deem It necessary or expedient
to lay their opinions before the world
Undoubtedly the terms and conditions
they will demand have been settled
upon, but they are not likely to be pub
licly known before the meeting of the
conference, Meanwhile more may be ex-
pected from Russia intended to influence
international feeling in her behalf.