The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-06
Mt De Martens Tells of H. titude to be Taken by Future Historians
 S ENTIRE CONT.gzss NAGEO IN NEVyg.l TERRITORY
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 Q 2 After a Tits Struggle of Eighteen Months the Clauses of Peace Treaty Affect Almost Exclusively corea and Manchuria.

Portsmouth, N. H.. September 5.-Mr De Martens having been requested by the Associated Press to express his views on the treaty just signed. said tonight:
 Your request for my personal opinion of the treaty Is somewhat embarrassing on account of the part, although mod est, which I took in the work of the peace conference at Portsmouth. How ever, If my opinion can even in small degree enlighten the political situation. preciation of the treaty of Portsmouth, am ready to say what I think. have not the intention of condemning or praising anything. but will limit myself to some rudimentary clements which may help in the formation of a just and en- frightened public opinion.
 "The last war between Russia and Japan has no precedent in the annals of international wars 1t is unique and origi- nal in its exploits, as well as the condi- tions of the struggle. Russia sustained reverses and misfortunes which nobody expected. Japan obtained successes which SuTpTlSeu' tNcH tne Jbpduesc phthiolss
 Fought In Neutral Territory.
 When 1t Is asked: Where was the the atre of war? 1t Is answered, 1t was in neutral territory It must be admitted that such war during eighteen months or the territory of a neutral state is an absolutely new condition in the annals of international relations. Considering o.dt ttao, oirr stances, 1t Is only too natural that the clauses of the treaty of peace signed to- day regard more the neutral states-Corea and China-than the territorial possessions of the two belligerent powers. It was only at the last moment, almost at the opening of the peace conference that Rus sian territory, part of the island or Sakhalin was occupied by the Japanese. On account of this situation the present treaty of peace between Russia and Japan will always attract the attention of jurists and diplomatists.
 ''They will be astonished in seeing tnat after a terrible struggle during eighteen months, between two great military uowers, having shed torrents of human bIood. A treaty of peace was concluded.
 
 clusively Corea and Manchuria. The sur nrise of the future impartial historian will increase with the knowledge that be- fore the war the Japanese performance in Corea was already formally recogniz- ed and that Russia never intended to onnose the principle of the open door, in Manchuria so solemnly proclaimed by the treaty of Portsmouth.
 Can Not Pay War Tribute.
 "That is why Russia could not admit the Japanese pretension of reimburse ynent for the cost of the war A belliger- ent country, the territory or wnicn IS intact, and not occupied by the enemy, iz not vanouished and cannot pay war tribute. That is why Russia, for love or peace. sacrificed the southern part or Sakhalin. However, all the other clauses of the treaty of peace regarding Corea and Manchuria show the incontestiDle fact that Russia for the moment aban- doned her grandiose and worldly policy |, the direction of the distant and un- certain fields of the far east
 "Personally, I am convinced that after having known the clauses of the treaty of peace, the Russian nation Will not fret, but will gather together all her forces for a new great struggle, not on tbe battlefield, but on the field of produc- five work and of social and political progress. That is why, according to my deep and unshakable conviction, all the recrimination and reciprocal accusation nrovoked in my country by the disasters of war. should cease. The moment Of the gathering of all our forces. the mo- nent of working conscientiously regard less of class or social position, has be- gum