Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-11
Japan's Peace Terms.

The failure Of the peace ENJOYS to sep
arste in high dudgeon upon the first breach
ing OF Japan's terms for the closing of the
war will doubtless dsappoint those pessi-
mists who have for weeks been CroaklnS
Of the immediate collapse of the negotia-
items 1t has been freely asserted that the
czar's ENJOYS were here only in pursuance
of a huge blun that Russia has had from
the outset no sincere intention to conclude
peace. and that this apparent acceptance or
the Presidents invitation to come to the
United States for a final business talk that
should end the war was merely a. device 10
gain time. in the field. lullins: the japanese
meanwhile to comparative quiet in Man.
churia. 1t has also been asserted with
some show of assurance that there would
he a failure from the beginning on the part
of the ENJOYS to agree to the minor but es-
sential details of the Conference process.
Thus far this gloomy prediction has been
d!scredted by the facts. The ENJOYS have
met under the happiest auspices and have
become gentally acquainted and have con-
Quoted themselves toward each other in the
spirit of cultured gentlemen bent upon the
completion of difficult piece of business.
At their first meeting they easily arranged
the hours of the sessions. At the second
meeting they decided the language aues-
ton and found that IT was impossible, ow-
ing to a misunderstanding of the program,
for them to exchange credentials. At the
third meeting the credentials were mutually
accepted and the Japanese proposal was
laid before the cars representatives.
Here. then. are three meetings proceeding
in a leiSurely manner with all due regard
for the formaltties of the occasion, leading
Up to the point at which, according to the
gloomy commentators. the conference
should break. There is however, not the
slightest sign that there will be any rup-
ture. 1t would be in the last degree in
furious to Russia's international prestige
TO withdraw from the meeting because of
the character of the first draft of the Jap
ar csc peace project. Beaten in the field.
she would confess herself beaten in the
first round of the diplomatic battle.
Much ingenously compiled and persua-
slve matter is being wired from Portsmouth
Oh he subject of these japanese terms.
They are vsriously described. according
10 the ina gination or invention of the cor
res pondents as excessive beyond parallel.
o. as amazingly mild. But there is in the
DISPATCHES upon which reliance can be
placed. emphasis upon the assumption
that Japan has named no specific sum as
indemnity. merely notifying Russia that the
mikado expects to be reimbursed for the
cost of the war. This If true is a most
important stroke. 1t proves that the Jap
aT,ese are by no means noviceS in the game
OF negotiation. 1t demonstrates that they
are not disposed to give the Russians any
possible ground for an early withdrawal
BY leaving open for adjustment the exact
sum of the indemnity which apparently is
rot mentioned by that term-the japanese
give themselves a free field for maneuver-
ing.
There is every reason to expect the writ
ing and the ultimate ratification OF Il peace
treaty. However difficult may be the path
to its consummation, the obstacles are by
no means so great those that will con-
front Russia at home and abroad In case
the peace conference fails and the con-
tinues