New-York tribune., 1905-07-22
JAPAN'S PEACE TERMS.
Popular and Newspaper Discussion
of What She Should Demand.
Toxic, June 20

not be without interest you to hear how the
Japanese people accepted President Roosevelts
proposal
During the progress OF the war it has been
subject Of comment throughout the world that
the government and the people OF japan seemed
TO be as one, that the burdens OF the war were
patiently borne, and that the trust OF the people
in then rulers was only equaed by the confidence
shown by the government that the people would
respond to every additional call made upon them.
whether IL involved the sacrifice OF blood or OF
treasure. Possibly close examination would show
that the unanimity great as II appears
al first sight. but. however that may be. for all
practical purposes there was perfect unanimiiy
between the administration and the individual units
comprising the nation Yet II has TO be borne in
mind that this substantial agreement was only
reached when the government determined that
tOrlher negotiation with Russia was useless. anu
diplomatic relations were finally broken on Up
10 that point the criticism OF the government for
weakness and incapacity was Incessant and It
may be doubted very much whether, II Russia had
yielded on every point demanded by Japan, the
press and people would have been satisfied. II
SET med 10 be very commonly held by the press
that the Japanese demands were altogether too
moderate and the fiery of the newspaper
editors breathed sigh of relief when II was found
that the demands had not been accepted and the
Japanese government had at last determined to
press its claim by force. Immediately, however.
that there is prospect OF peace. the old difficulty
'ecurs What is the minimum that japan as the
victorious power should demand7
Public opinion is generally agreed that the time
is not ripe for peace overtures. We think 1t not
improbable that the negotiations will fail At
least. 1t would be impossible to expect at present
a conclusion Of the by which Japan will gain
all she Is entitled Japan must watch carefully
the attitude of Russia. while preparing to resume
the campaign.
The immediate question would be the application
for an armistice coming from Russia Under no
circumstances must arrnistice be granted. ia
pans plans must be carried through without the
least hesitation and Saghalien must be occupied
without further delay. THIS course Of action Will
not only strengthen Japan in the negotiations. but
here viii be no regrets should the negotiations
fall.
Surely II would be a great mistake to conclude
that peace will be restored because Of the present
situation. Whatever happens the Russians, who
are noted for caprice. trusted before
the fullest and strongest assurance has been given
tor the maintenance OF peace This fact taken into
consideration, the end Of the war seems very re-
mote.
One Of our japanese proverbs says: Ninety per
cent is but half way" So about half
the way
men in all classes as to what terms Japan ought
to demand from Russia. but the following Is under
stood as being generally agreed upon:
L That the lease Of Tairen Dalny) Port Arthur.
and other concessions obtained by Russia in Man
churia be transferred to japan.
2. That Manchuria be opened to the commerce OF
the world. and the administration of Manchuria be
taken in hand by Japan until order has been COM
pletely restored
g. That the Russian warghips iaterned in neutral
ports be delivered Japan.
That the Eastern Chinese Railway become
Japanese property
o That Saghauen be ceded to Japan
O. That that part Of the Amur region ceded to
Russia by China in virtue OF the Peking treaty be
ceded to Japan
Z That the Amur and it's tributaries be declared
neutral waters. and warships Of the powers be
allowed 70 the waters freely
g. That certain the frontier OF China
and Siberia be made neutral zone where all mill
taTy operations and undertakings shall Do prohib-
lied
9. That the minimum amount OF indemnity be
from 2.Oo0000.OO1 to 5000 900. 100 yen.
One opinion urges that the amount OF indemnity
need not be fixed and II should be arranged that
all expenditure incurred by the campaign as well
as all other expenditure arising in connection with
the war be paid by Russia
II Is stated that Professor Terao an authority on
the law Of nations who is a Foreign Office council
lor, has sent IN his resignation IN order that he
expert on the terms Of peace 0'-D--o'' d 4A
Of course. We must nave the opinion of the seven
!ihgo professors OF The Imperial University, Pro-
Il ssOr romigu, Professor Takahashi and Others
as gratutously as tney teuoered advice as 10 the
GecllIatlon OF war and the conduct thereof. They
OF opinion that an indemnity OF 3.0OOOO0 600 yen
should De demanded, in addition to cession OF ter
whole of the littoraI districts of Siberia as ven as
6y Russia in LlaOtuEg should be handed over 70
Japan, which country should De allo we'd with China
churia- The Chinese Eastern Railway and its
as also are all the Russian refugee vessels in ned
@ eaSa OF = SiPgalpoTe l Al the Russian government
possession OF by Japan
In addition 10 the above, the learned professors
would make II condition that no Russiln s.uad-
ron should be placed either in the Pacific or ne
japan SEA, while the number of Russian troops on
guard east OF Lake Batkal should be limited Fur
any interests in Chinese territory without Japan 8
/ The Tairo Dosh Kai has also been discussing
the cesson Of Cssuri. the ntIoral districts and
saghLLen; the transfer OF the chinese Eastern
ManchuTia and the abandonment OF existing and
future privileges there; indemnity of 3CC0OG0 900
/ yen me transfer or al vessels disarmed in neu-
tral ports; the concession OF navigation and ish-
VestChensk and Stretensk 10 International trade.
9 99eh b are & the oPlaons pm Of me press aad people
III is only right for japan to accept Russia ;
of Japan nor is victory by lighting Japan is fight
ing for the peace of the Orient and IN sef-defsnce
/ Perhaps Russia has come al last seek peace
Dexer as he gniS rrss f 70 70 pear Dy the
contest having just been decided But the s.tua
/ ton has only advanced step toward peace. If
individuals should indulge in advancing their views
terms Of peace. the enemy will benefit by the pub
Lefty ana the fruits or victory will be lost In
saying this. we do not wish 10 suppress publ dis
cussion. but IL the public is not retic'nt on the
Quesion OF terms II Will De Impossible for Japan
| TO attain an honorable and profitable peace"
! The y omlar commenting on the above. remarks
/ that II old not know whether the government
/ wanted honorable or dishonorable peace. but
! II was understood that the terms II peace pro-
posed by the government will be in conformity
/ with public opinion.
ernnent is facing most difficult problem. The
conduct OF forces in the neld can safely be left in
/ the hands Of the commanders, but the draft Of
| victory'-is mater for whicS the Mnist|v is
] ta rlNH