Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-21
snrNpLNe TIE NATIONS.

Undoubtedly much that has recently
emanated from the Russian capital is
intended 10 sound the nations as to the
position they might take in the event
that Japan should make demands re-
garded by Russia as excessive. This
seems to be very plainly the purpose OF
the statement recently made by NJ.
Witte, while 1t is also apparent in the
utterances Of some of the newspapers,
very likely Of official inspiration. 1t has
nowhere been assumed that Russia Is
disposed to make peace at any price, so
that the declaration of her chief envoy
in regard TO this was quite unnecessary.
Not even at Toxic, it is safe to say, is
there any idea that Russia will submit
to excessive demands and therefore it
is not at all probable that japan will be
unreasonable.
But there is an apparent desire at st.
Petersburg to create in the western ma
lions feeling that Japan may require
conditions to peace which would be in
imical to the interests Of those nations
in Asia and in this way bring to bear
upon the oriental power, in advance Of
peace negotiations, a pressure favorable
to Russia. As yet there has been no
intimation, except in expressions Of the
German press, that any power is appre-
hensive Of danger to its Asiatic inter
ests from Japan. The yellow peril
phantom has been troubling the German
vision for some time and there are other
Europeans affected by 1t, but 1t is not
alarming the western world as a whole,
while in this country It is. very generally
regarded as utterly groundless. It is
true that 'the cry Of Asia for the Ash
atics" was started in Japan, but there
are demagogues in that country as else
where and It is not in evidence that this
cry is approved by any considerable
portion of the Japanese people. SO far
as the government is concerned there is
not the slightest reason to believe that
it contemplates any course or policy that
could prove inimical to the interests of
western nations in Asia. 1t understands
fully what would be the effect of at
tempting this. Japan would inevitably
become involved in a conflict which
could only bring her disaster. II is to
discredit the intelligence and sagacity
of Japanese statesmen to assume that
they do not understand this and they
have certainly shown themselves to be as
shrewd and far-sighted as the statesmen
Of Europe. 1t is suggested that Japan
may hit Russia as hard as she likes, but
when she infringes the interests of the
other powers she must look out The
men who are administering the affairs
of Japan are not in need of admonition
of this kind.
Russias effort to sound the nations
will not meet with any general response.
There will be no pressure brought to
bear upon japan with view to con-
trolling her In the framing Of peace con-
ditioEs She will be left entirely free to
make such demands as she shall deem
to be justified by the sacrifices she has
made. Nor will she, 1t is safe to say,
be In the least Influenced by the intended
WARNINGS IrOH lhe huSsldH capital AT
the proper time, and not until then. ia
pan will make known what she thinks
she is justly entitled to and what she re-
CARDS as necessary to. her future security.
Meanwhile it will be quite useless for
Russia to attempt to create public senti-
ment unfavorable to Japan, whose whole
course up to this time has been fair, just
and honorable.