Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-03
but this much was ascertained heyone

but this much was ascertained beyond
a doubt:
I'm scope the powers of Mr. White,
who comes as plenipotentiary of Russia
to discuss with the Japanese plenipo-
tentiaries means of ending the war and,
provided a basis acceptable to Russia
Is obtained to sign the treaty OF
Washington equal in every way the
powers handed to Baron komura by
the Japanese emperor. Mr.. White
brings with him instructions prepared
by his emperor which outline the gen.
eral policy which he authorized to pur-
sue. They are in many respects elas-
tic and will aid rather than hamper
Mr. White, provided the terms submit
ted by Japan, in his opinion, appeaf
reasonable. 1t was also made PLAN
by several Of Mr.. Whites suite that he
had not come to the Washington con-
ference to obtain peace at any price
OFFICIALLY the Russian mission is. oil
course, unaware of Japan's terms, and
until they have been handed to Mr.
White by Baron Komura.
"Russia will await results patiently
and without anxiety" was the way a
close friend of Mr. White expressed
the attitude of his country.
Everything Favored Japan.
Mr. .Witte recognizes the good quail
tiles of the japanese military, naval
and administrative organizations and
does not believe any other European
nation would have been able 10 resist
japan as Russia has done. 1T must
be taken into consideration" said Mr..
Witte. that the japanese had been
preparing for war for about ten years,
while Russia was entirely unprepared,
wishing for and trusting for peace.
The Japanese fought in their own
neighborhood under all favorable con-
ditions,, while the Russians had to be
sent 5000 versts from their headquar-
tiers by railroad entirely insufficient
to their needs, and to fight colonial
war with all the co-efficients against
them. There Is not in history another
example of similar disproportion be-
tween enemies. Nevertheless all the
foreign officers of the European ar
mics who followed the war are una
nimous in affirming that the Russian
troops, both soldiers and officers.
fought with admirable bravery, but
they had to withdraw on account of a
combination Of circumstances with
which their personal valor could not
contend. On the sea the Russians
found themselves in constantly in in
ferior conditions. The squadron OF
Rojestvensky was sent against Japan,
not because the Russians had much
confidence In It's success, bu. because
they could not renounce from mill
tary and moral point of view any
chance, no matter how uncertain, of
obtaining partial victory
Prospects Of Future Warfare.
Suppose for a moment that the
war, instead OF having taken place in
Korea or in N[anchuria, had been
fought at the true Russian frontiers,
then the Japanese would not have been
able to face the Russian forces for
more than six months. However, even
as things stand, the Japanese have not
made such progress as is generally
believed; in fact, they would have to
advance four times as much as they
have done in the last year and a half
to reach Russia proper, in which case
alone they might consider themselves
in position to impose conditions Of
peace.
but thay are very far from this