Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-11

with receive an attested copy of the trans
lation, but up to noon today he had re-
ceived nothing.
The difference in the powers conferred
upon the two sets of plenipotentiaries also
raises very delicate point, and one Of the
greatest moment. In the Russian credentials
the Emperor of Russia pledges his word
of honor to sign any treaty which receives
the approval of NJ. Witte. The power con-
ferred upon NJ. Witte to negotiate and con-
clude treaty of peace is absolute. No
restrictions are made. The ratification of
the emperor is pledged in advance. Baron
Komura's credentials, on the contrary, spe-
cificalIy provide that any treaty negotiated
by Baron komura must receive the Imperial
ratification of the Emperor of Japan. They
involve the reservation upon the part of the
Emperor of Japan Of the right to reject the
treaty. This divergence in the character
of the credentials Is so vital that NJ Witte
has communicated to Baron Komura an Of
fetal diplomatic note wherein he notifies
the Japanese chief plenipotentiary that
while he stands ready to exercise the full
powers conferred upon him. in view of the
limitation placed upon the powers of Japan
chief negotiators. he regards it as only
proper that he should consider his powers
limited In the same way. In other words,
unless the powers of Baron komura are
increased to make them co-equal with those
conferred upon NJ. Witte, Emperor Nicholas
will have the right to ratfy or reject any
treaty that Is negotiated.
A Japanese Writer'S Views.
Writing to his paper. the Jill Shimpo. at
Tokyo, Rihei Onishi expresses great salts
IA ction with the program Of the peace ne
gotiations, and particularly with the man
ner in which the Japanese ENJOYS are con-
ducting the case Of his country. He says
their method of doing business is direct and
absolutely devoid Of red tape and far
as they concerned treaty of peace
might be signed today. He comments on
the necessity Of the Russian pIenipoten-
tiaries sending the Japanese terms to the
emperor. If Russia cannot accept the terms
he announces, "all right Will go on
fighting"
However, he sees no reason for haste in
the negotiations. The position of Japan,
he says, is much better today than at the
beginning Of the There is no Rus
sian navy now; there is no Port Arthur;
no Lao Yang; no Mukden, and our army
is in possession of Sakhalin and threa tenirlg
the communication of Vladivostok" He
expresses belief that the whole civilized
world Will agree that the peace terms of
japan are reasonable, consequently If the
conference fails It will be due to Russia
Should 1t end without peace, he sees no
hope in the future for anything EXCEPT a
fight to the bitter end. There Is, he says
no other nation which could, with the OBJ
servance of the proper proprieties suggest
subsequent negotiations for peace.
A Russian Writer'S Opinion.
Mr.. Alexander BrIantchanroT, corre-
spondent of the st. Petersburg Slovo, writ
ing on the peace situation today, says:
president Roosevelt in his toast to the
plonipotentiaries Put as the object of the
negotiations the conclusion of a Just and
Testing peace. 1t is to be regretted that a
personality so Independent in his opinions
and so universally esteemed as President
Roosevelt cannot. for reasons easily under
StCCd explicitly state what he means by a
Just and lasting peace but has to leave
II to the two bellgerents themselves to ar
rive at an understanding on the subject
But an understanding is not easy The
Ideas of just peace differs widely In the
two countries. An excited state of public
feeling exists in Japan. They are elated
with the successes which they themselves
did not expect, while in Russia the people
are wounded by unexpected reverses. Leav-
ing to the Japanese the care of speaking
from their point of view l, in capacity as a
Russian, can only give the reasons why we
oppose certain Japanese pretentions al
though we at the same time recognize the
rights they acquire through the successes
of their arms.
mo peace can be lasting If not tust from
the viewpoint of those who are not VIC
torlous. Otherwise they would be forever
animated by the feeling of resentment and
a desire for revenge. 1t is false reasoning
to base a demand for an Indemnity upon
the statement that we forced Japan into
this war and that therefore we must reim-
burse her the expenses she sustained Ac-
cordlng to our view Japan declared war to
force us to evacuate Manchura solemnIy
proclaiming that she did not wish terri
torial expansion, but that her purpose was
to defend the political equilibrium OF the
far east threatened by our presence In
Manchuria. We understand that after 1895
war became inevitable from a Japanese
point of view and Japan prepared herself
for 1t, shown by her victories The
leaders of our government did not under
stand in time and Russia has now under
gone the sad consequences. but about one
fact there may be dscussion-namely
that Japan considering this the opportune
moment hurried to attack us without
declaration of war, without even warning
|'us through an ultimatum.
For these reasons we consider the pay
ment of an Indemnity unjust In principle"