The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-26
HOW JAPAN STANDS nov.
NOT SEEKING PEACE, BUT READY
FOR 1T ON CERTAIN TERMS.
Minister Tnlsahira says Those Terms Must
Insure Lasting Peacc-Doesn't Deny
That lie Saw the PreSident--Won'n
Say What Took Place Between Them.


That lie Saw The President--won'e
Say What Took Place Between Them.
hira, the Japanese Minister was induced
to-day to prepare a statement in which
he denied that Japan gave expression to
the desire for peace" but admitted that
Japan s ready for peace on such reasona-
bic terms az to insure lasting peace
Mr. Takahira did not deny. however,
that he saw President Roosevelt and made
known to him the terms upon which the
Japanese Government would agree to end
the war; in fact. he admitted, at the time
he furnished his carefully writ state
ment, that he hnd seen tha President, but
did not wish TO disclose what had taken
place between them.
II Is evident from certain circumstances
that Mr.. Takahira was led to believ0
that the impression had been created that
Japan had sued for peace, and was anxious
to oounteract that impression. With all
due respect TO the Japanese Minister, the
fact remains, and mas not been contradlctcd
by him, that Mr.. Takahira called on Presi-
dent Roosevelt and told him the conditions
upon which the Japanese Governments
would enter into peace negotiations with
Russia, and that while he did not ask the
President to communicate these conditions
TO Russia, they were telegraphed 10 the
United States Minister at st. Petersburg.
with instructions to make them known
Foreign Affairs. H.
Nh Takahiras statement follows:
ON such matters OF great importance
aud delicacy it is my opinion that as a
rule il il much easier to obtain inaccurate
information regarding the actunl situation.
and therefore. il IL not unnatural that
the public is inisied more or less through
Misrepresentation or misstatement in tho
presa. Moreover II has been clearly UNDER
stood from the outset that Japan hns not
been fighting for the sake of fighting. hut
she was forced TO waE for the sake OF
principle, and as the result has been so
far in favor Of Japan and abe has been
fortunately victor at every battle on land
or sea, it seemed to have created general
impression that Japan can make overtures
without 10 much inconvenience as would
he otherwise and that 1t must be u IN
which is in position 20 take the hi%pfiS
In ending the war. A.
Consequently this impression aRS IN
to have created rlmors that Japan g.
expression TO the desire for peace b.
there is not a bit of truth in the riImor.
You can deny it on my authority and with
out reservation. You will readily UNDER
stand whether Japan can make.such over
lures or not If you pay little attention :,
TO the actual circumstances as known 10
everybody.
while it is true that Japan has been
favored with SUCCESS of arms 30 far II Is
equally true :, at it has made np apparei
effect upon Gussia and she has been con
stantly declaring through her ropresehN,-
tives that she will fight till the end or until
she wins one or more decisive battles. We
think It but natural for such large country
az Russia, with so enormous Strength
Of men and so extraordinary amount OF
resources. TO think of a final success OF tho
war with us. We have therefore prepared
to fight as long, as necessary, and 1t was only
some weeks ago that the Imperial Diet
voted for the war budget for the coming
fiscal year-frorn April, 1906, to March,
1ooe-and every necessary measure is being
taken to conduct the war at least for another
year.
Under the circumstances you can safely
say that although Japan is ready for peaca
on such reasonable terms "a 10 insure last
ing peace, as has always been the case.
she knows she cannot make it with nation
which is not in the same frame Of mind.
and il is unreasonable 10 expect us TO make
any suggestion in that direction and even
more so to formulate the terms Of peace.
which are in a great measure TO depend
upon the progress OF the war.
Suppose you and ! make quarrel.
although there is no likelihood Of such
unfortunate occurrence, and ! succeed
in throwing you on the floor once or twice
by means of jiu-jitsu. in spite of your vigor
OF youth and also OF your superior physi-
cal condition. and you are so much Of
Tended that you want 10 revenge yourself.
Do you think can make oyertlres TO come
10 good terms Of friendship? No, decidedly
not.
in the same way, il Japan proposes
peace at the present iunoture, IL is mora
than certain that she cannot get it but by
a great sacrifice Of the advantageous posi-
ton which she has gained at an enormous
cost Of life and treasure. Therefore tho
peace talk some days ago, you can surely
believe. was not created in Japan, but
somewhere outside my country