New-York tribune., 1905-08-13
TERys AND COUNTER TERMS.

sian and the Japanese credentials necessarily
fails when the case Is understood. 1t might
seem strange after all that was said in adj
vance. and after what Mr. Witte himself was
reported to have said about the limitations OF
the Russian ENJOYS powers, to find the Rus-
slams really invested with greater powers than
the japanese. The Russian ENJOYS can make a
treaty Of peace which the Car is pledged IN
advance 10 ratify. no matter what its terms
may be; but while the Japanese can make a
treaty ii will still with the Mikado TO ratlfy
It or not, according to his discretion Inc eA-
PLANTATION is simple The difference is the dif-
ference between the two governments. Inc
Gar is an absolute monarch. the Mikado Is
constitutional sovereign. The former can make
any pledge he sees fit, and delegate his powers
at will while the latter must act according TO
the constitution of his empire. That is all there
is in that matter
The Japanese presented their proposals
promptly. the Russians were equally prompt
with their reply. and we may confidently as
sumo there will he no delay in the Japanese re-
foinder The terms and counter terms are not
made public but some hints at their nature are
made, perhaps upon good authority. At any
rate. the world has set about discussing the
reported terms as though they were authorita-
tive and in such discussion there Is no little
significance. That Russia objects TO Japans
demands as too severe is natural She'was sure
to do So Equally natural is it that Japan re-
CARDS them as moderate and lenient Almost
the same may be said of British opinion, which
closely comedies with japanese, seeing that
Great Britain is the ally OF Japan But, then.
France is Russias equally close ally, and French
estimates of the terms do not coincide with
Russian. We are told that France does con-
slider them somewhat harsh" but as by no
means impossible or precuding settlement
Germany is not openly an ally Of either, but is
nominaily neutral, and German opinion is that
Japan's demands are reasonable and just and
that Russia will in the end have TO accept them.
Italy also is neutral power and her opinion
is that Russia will have TO yield. and that she
can do So even in the payment Of reimburse
ment' and the REIMBURSEMENT Of Saghalien,
without damage to her pride.
The surrender of Saghalien is still said TO be
one of the chief points of disagreement. The ces-
sion Of territory is as have hitherto OBJ
served. often regarded as a grievOus and hui
initiating condition Of peace. Nevertheless, ii
is one of the commonest results of war, much
more common than the payment of a cash in
demnity. In the case of Saghalien, moreover.
there are some special considerations which
should make such cession less hard for Russia.
We speak of ii as cessOn. but. in fact the
question is not whether Russia shall relinquish
relnqush il to Russia. For Japan has already
| taken it from Russia. She possesses and occI-
/ pies and governs II. 1t is already hers by right
of conquest. If peace should be made OH the
| principle OF ufi poSsidetiS. Saghalen would Ger
| tainly remain Japanese possession. In seeking
| to regain ii. Russia is asking to have that prin-
ciple set aside and to return to the state which
existed before the war Again, Saghalien is
not and never has been q traditional or really
integral part of the Russian Empire, but logical
ly and historically belongs TO Japan, from whom
Russia took ii by force fifty years ago. An
ciently claimed by China both Saghalien and
the Kuriles were indisputably japanese terri
tory when in 1929 the Russian cOnquistador,
Muravieff. arbitrarily invaded and seized Them
Just as he seized mainland provinces which be-
longed TO China. At that time Japan was un-
able to do more than TO protest against such
spoliation. She maintained her protest for more
than twenty years. until 1875. when Russia
practically compelled her to make a treaty re-
lnquishing Saghalien in consideration of a res
tOratiOn 10 her of some of the Kurles. 1t is not
accurate TO say Russia traded" the Kures for
Saghalien for both belonged to Japan The
Japanese view is that If Russia had the right TO
take Saghalien by conquest I'm 1852, Japan has
the same right to retake it by conquest in 1909.
! OF course Russia's great reluctance to part with
! 1t arises from the fact that Saghalien dominates
the mouth of the AmOOr River. and is therefore
the key to all Eastern Siberia; but that is from
the japanese point of view equally strong
reason why Japan should retain possession of it.
/ Somewhat more open to question might be the
propriety OF Japans insisting upon the neu-
! traliZatiOn Of Vladiyostok and the limiting of
| Russia's naval force in the Pacific. Such con-
dtiOns would be a lasting source of Irritation
10 Russia and barrier 10 the growth of that
Frso
| mutually desirable. Nor is it certain they would
be essential TO the security OF Japan The
single port of Yladvostok. even If fortified,
garrisoned and made naval base, could scarce
ly he menace to Japan. Its vast distance from
the base OF supplies would hopelessly handicap
IT, Doubtless it would be unpleasant and even
disquieting TO Japan TO have Russia develop a
new fleet In Asian waters But the true way to
deal with that would be TO offset it with su-
perior japanese feet. At present Russia has
practically no fleet Mt all, while Japan has a
large and efficient one. which is being increased
by the addition of captured and repaired Rus
sian ships. Russia, at most would have only
the one naval station at Vladivostok, and that
not now a first class one. while Japan has half
! a dozen or more fine ones. With such a lead
and with such advantages Japan should not
fear Russian rivalry in TINT respect. All these
and ali other reported terms of peace are how
ever, suitable for discussion by the ENJOYS at
Portsmouth. Nothing has been said on either
side to cause any rupture OF negotiations The
belief is therefore maintained and confirmed
that the conclusion of just and lasting peace
| is within the reach of the conference
WTTTE AND THE JEWS.
j