The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPT. 11 1905. THE PEACE PROCLAMATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1555, 11 September 1905, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPT. 11 1905. THE PEACE PROCLAMATION.

While the world in general expresses a sense of relief at the conclusion of peace between Russia and Japan, equal surprise has been occasioned by the terms upon which the latter power consented to a cessation of hostilities. After her series of brilliant and uninterrupted victories through the whole of the sanguinary and very frequently sensational campaign, it was fully believed by the world’s most export and astute diplomats, that Japan would refuse to forego any advantage she had gained, and insist upon her originally specified conditions relating to an indemnity payment, the retention by her of the interned warships, the unconditional cession of Saghalien, the prompt evacuation of Manchuria, and the limitation of Russia’s naval power in the East. To the world’s astonishment, however, Japan has consented to a large and unexpected modification of these originally imperative conditions, and Russia, for the time being, is jubilant accordingly. It would be idle to speculate as to what secret diplomatic suggestions may have have been tacitly accepted by Japan with regard to England and America, both of whom are by no means disinterested bystanders in the conclusion of such a peace treaty, and it would be equally vain to hazard any conjecture as to Japan’s ulterior object in consenting to the concessions on which the treaty is principally based. The science of diplomacy is invariably half-veiled in mystery, and as a rule only the evolution of events can fully unfold its details of policy. The world at large may be surprised owing to its inability to see further than the immediate purport and application of the treaty terms, but those who have both directly and indirectly aided in bringing about an agreement to those terms may have a larger and more definite insight into their future effects, and probably five or ten years hence the world may experience another surprise in discovering that Japan’s apparent “ concessions ” were but so many steps toward the further discomfiture of Russia and the consolidation of her empire interests. Whatever may be the chivalric nature of her Samuria traditions, Japan is not in the least likely to forego any intrinsic, vital advantage in favor of the unscrupulous enemy whom she has conquered. Apart from all this, however, the fact remains that a new and formidable Power has arisen in the Far East, and that Power has inflicted upon Russia such a defeat and humiliation as she has never experienced during thejwhole course of her unscrupulously aggressive and tyrannical career. With this unlooked for advent of another potent factor in the “comity of nations,” it will behove the monarchies of Europe to prudently reconsider their hitherto filibustering methods of aggrandisement in the Far East, and adopt a juster and more conciliatory attitude toward the peoples of the Orient, for this determined and intelligent awakening of the Asiatic to resist the semipiratical encroachments of the Caucasian may be taken as an augury that any future attempts to arrogantly filch away from a presumedly weak people any portion of their national heritage will be met with an ever-increasing resistance. Neither England, France, Germany, nor even America can plead I innocence in relation to this foreign free-booting policy, while braggart but now humiliated Russia has carried her nefarious seizures of territory to the fullest extent of criminality. The sudden awakening of Japan is being gradually but surely followed by the awakening of China, the people of that much-exploited country, stimulated by Japanese influence and example, coupled with a bitter remembrance of former wrongs, are qualifying themselves for a stern resistance of any further wanton, aggression, and given that China, with her 400,000,000 of people, reaches the standard of Japanese modernised reform, other Powers may probably be brought to a dis- | mayed standstill in their. foreign exploitations. The naval and military coalition of China and Japan would be a menace which the rest of the world would be compelled to scrupulously respect. But what perhaps may be of more immediate importance to the world at large, and in no small degree to these Australasian lands, is the ques-

tion of our future 'relations with, the East as regards commorco aud especially immigration. With reference to commercial intercourse and exchange of products, no very serious difficulties or complications are likely to arise, that is, as long as the “ open door ’’ policy is based upon a due and honorable recognition of mutual rights and privileges, and from what we already know of Japan, it may be safely concluded that she will acquiesce in that recognition. But wliat will no doubt bo a dolicate and difficult matter to satisfactorily solvo relates both to Chinese and Japanese immigration to our outlying British territories. As far as Japan is concerned, this question will be given a prominont place in the near future, and our statesmen will be called upon to deal with the matter in detail. Japan strongly resents the exclusiveness of the “White Australia ’’ policy, and has already intimated her intention to pass that policy under review with the object of securing such modifications as she may desire. New Zealand, of course, will have a direot interest in that discussion and its prospective or suggested issues, and while it will be our duty to safeguard ourselves from any injurious influx of an alien element, it is to be hoped that this will be effected in a manner that will obviate any unpleasant friction, and still preserve the most cordial relations with our gallant ally. The peace of the East is proclaimed, and • we trust that it may be productive of effects that benefit the whole world.