New-York tribune., 1905-08-31
KANEKO CHANCES VIEWS.
Baron Disappointed in Peace Terms
Denies Part IN Them.

-OSi{GS L Uft W. HC IT.
That he had absolutely part in the nego-
tiations for peace at Portsmouth. either ofl-
ciaIly or unoficially, was the statement made
last evening to a Tribune reporter by Baron
Kentaro Kaneko. This statement was called
forth by the announcement from Portsmouth
that the conclusion of peace was the result OF
influence brought to bear on the Emperor OF
Japan by Baron Kaneko, through Marquis Ito
All this the clever statesman and diplomat de-
MED and characterized as grossly Inaccurate
And of perhaps greater importance was ths
statement made by him that he felt Aeenly dis
appointed over the result of the conference Tl2is
utterance from Baron Kaneko. is important.
not only because of the high official position
which he has held at Toxic and the strong po-
litical prestige that he still retains in the coun
ellis of the government. but because on Tuesday
night he expressed to a Tribune reporter his
entire satisfaction with the principal terms Of
peace.
No explanation is made by the baron for the
sudden change in his attitude with regard TO the
outcome of the negotiations. but that he IS dis
appointed he showed as clearly last evening as
on the night before he displayed his unbounded
enthusiasm over the successful termination Of
the conference.
He was also vehement in his denial Of the
newspaper stories connecting him with the con-
ference. This is not the first time. however. that
il has been intimated that he was the power
behind the conference" His recent frequent
trips to Oyster Bay, where he visited President
Roosevelt, were made the basis of similar
ports, but these never called forth the unequivc-
cal declarations now made by Baron IGane-o.
when I received the first news or Tuesday
morning" said the baron last evening, of the
result of negotiations at Portsmouth. I did not
credit il. I took no serious notice Of it. be-
cause I thought it impossible. But when finally
the announcement was repeated to me. and was
officially confirmed. I was greatly surprised and
disappointed Frankly. I did rot feel that it
would end that way.
No attempt is made to reconcile this latter
statement with that made bv Baron Kaneko on
Tuesday night The following in part of the
first statement shows at what variance the
two utterances are:
Naturally am quite pleased. Japan's achieve
ment has been great 1t is true We receive no
indemnity, but. in comparison with what Japan
has already gained. the money question is really
of no Importance. The fact is the peace of the
world is dear TO Japan. She has achieved
much that l not surprised that our ENJOYS
waived the mere question Of money when it
stood between peace and war
There seems 10 be delicate question of Jap
anese ethics involved in the attitude of the
former Minister of Justice. The subjects of the
Emperor of Japan regard him with reverence.
and, while sometimes they might differ with
him on public policies. the Japanese never pass
anv structures on his judgment or display openly
anv resentment whatever might be the opera
ton Of their minds. Loyalty to tbs Emperor Is
considered one Of the chief virtues of the
japanese.
No one doubts the absolute loyalty Of Baron
Kaneko to his Emperor, in whose Cabinet ne
has been and whom he knows personally This
taken into consideration with the fact that 1t
was the Emperor who dictated the peace terms,
makes the latest attitude of the baron all the
more puzzling.
Regarding the reports crediting him with TAX
ing part in the peace negotiations, Baron Kane
ko said:
I am afraid have been misunderstood have
had no direct or indirect. official unofficial.
relation with the peace commission at Ports
mouth with the conference. Baron KOmura
and NJ. Takahira We're the peace envoys and
the only persons with authority TO act for the
japanese government 1t has also been said
that I acted Intermediary and brought
about the japanese agreement through cable
with MARQUIS TO These state
ments are also wholly without foundation.
have sent no cable messages to Marquis Ito.
and matter OF fact, have not communi-
Gated with Japan by cable since my arrival in
this country. nv visits to President Roosevelt
were merely COtncident with the holding OF the
Portsmouth conference, which gave rise TO the
stories that these visits had TO do with the ne
gotiations Il was not So for had no authority
TO discuss the affair in an official way OF course,
as We both wanted peace. our interests were
identical: nothing more than that
Mr. sakai Baron Kaneko's secretary added
the following statement regarding the latter's
visits to Oyster Bay,
The baron and President Roosevelt are both
graduates of Harvard and are personal friends
They had several meetings. and the subject OF
peace was brought up. You can say positively. |
however. that after their last meeting in Oyster
Bay the baron hss in no manner heard from
Toxic, nor has he sent any messages there him
self Furthermore, # President Roosevelt had
desired 20 communicate with Toxic. he most as
suredIY would have done through state chan
lels and not through any agents