The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-10

and half of France, and gave up much territory
in lieu of the indemnity, whereas the Japanese
were still many thousand miles from Moscow,
and had no territory whatever which they wish
ed to give up. l also pointed out that, in my
judgment, whereas the Japanese had enjoyed
the sympathy of most of the civilized powers at
the outset of and during the continuance of the
war, they would forfeit it if they turned the war
into one merely for getting money-and, more
over they would almost certainly fail to get the
money, and would simply find themselves at the
end of the year, even if things prospered with
them, in possession of territory they did not
want, having spent enormous additional
sums of money and lost enormous additional
numbers of men, and yet without penny of re-
muneration The treaty of peace was finally
signed.
Neither Side Really Satisfied.
As is inevitable under such circumstances,
each side felt that it ought to have got better
terms and when the danger was we'll past, each
side felt that it had been overreached by the
other, and that if the war had gone on it would
have got more than it actually did get. The
Japanese government had been wise throughout,
except in the matter of announcing that it would
insist on money indemnity. Neither in ma
tonal nor in private affairs is it ordinarily ad-
visable to make a bluff which cannot be put
through-personally, never believe in doing it
under any circumstances The Japanese people
ment; and the unwisdom of the governments
action in the matter was shown by the great re-
sentiment the treaty aroused in Japan, although
it was so beneficial to Japan. There were vari-
Gus mob outbreaks, especially in the Japanese
cities, the people were roughly handled, and
several Christian churches were burned, as re-
ported to me by the American Minister. In
both Russia and Japan believe that the net re-
suit as regards myself was feeling of injury,
and of dislike of me, among the people at large.
l had expected this; 1 regarded it as entirely
natural and l did not resent it in the least.
The governments of both nations behaved to-
ward me not only with correct and entire pro-
priety, but with much courtesy and the fullest
acknowledgment of the good effect of what l
had done; and in Japan, at least believe that
the leading men sincerely felt that | had been
the friend not only of the Japanese people but
of the Russian people, and | believe that what |
did was for the best interests of both and of
the world at large.
During the course of the negotiations l tried
to enlist the aid of the government of one ma
ton which was friendly to Russia, and of an
other nation which was friendly to Japan, in
helping bring about peace. l got no aid from
either. did, however, receive aid from the En-
peror of Germany. His Ambassador at st. Pc
tersburg was the one Ambassador who helped
the American Ambassador, Mr.. Meyer at deli
cate and doubtful points OF the negotiations
Mr.. Meyer, who was, with the exception of Mr.
White, the most useful diplomat in the American
service, rendered literally invaluable aid by in
sisting upon himself seeing the Gar at critical
periods of the transaction, when it was no longer
possible for me to act successfully through the
representatives of the Gar, who were often at
cross-purposes with one another.
Gave Prize to Peace Board.
AS result of the Portsmouth peace, was
given the Nobel Peace Prize This consisted
of medal, which kept, and sum of $4,000,
which turned over as foundation of industrial
peace to a board of trustees which included Os-