THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1564, 21 September 1905, Page 2

THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

HOW M. DE WITTE DEFEATED

THE JAPANESE.

TRIUMPH OF diplomacy.

PUTTING RESPONSIBILITY ON

JAPAN.

By telegraph, Press Ass’n, Copyright

Received 10 p.m., Sept 20. Paris, Sopt. 20, M. do Witte, at Cherbourg, interviewed bv a representative of Lo Matin, explains Japan’s sudden change of front m regard to an indemnity. M. de Witte said that noticing, after his arrival in America, a ohange of American opinion in favorfof Russia, bo resolved to profit by.it. -O- 6 determined, in order to strengthen the ourrent of opinion, to yield very quiokly on all demands appearing to him just. Thus ho eventually narrowed down the negotiations to the indemnity. He was then able to invoke principles of humanity, and leave on Japan tho responsibility Of further bloodshod for money alone. The American press assumed tho same standpoint. and reproached Japan for lacking disinterestedness. President Roosevelt was moved. Ho appealed to Baron Kaneko, urged his attention to what was occurring, and warned him that Japan oould no longer rely upon America’s support if she persisted iu war on the sole question of tnonoy.

Reooived 10.46 p.m., Sopt 20. M. de Witte, continuing, said Baron Kaneko immediately cabled to Japan, and to the Mikado's Government’s dismay made a volte face in high time. “Twice, indeed,” M. de Witte added, “ I received instruotionß to terminate at the earliest possible moment tho rupture in the negotiations. The first time I requested a short grace to avoid appearing hasty. A second cablegram arrived on the 28tb, on the eve of the supreme sitting of tbe Oon« forenoe. To this I replied: ' I have done with war. This time it is peace.’ ”

THE TIMES’ COMMENTS.

By telegraph, Press Aas’n, Copyright

Reoeived 11.45 p.m., Sept. 20. London, Sept. 20

Regarding M. De Witte’s impression concerning tho supposed ohange _in American opinion, it may bo interesting to reoall the Times' New York correspondent's cablegram, dated the 24th, saying : “ The danger of President Roosevelt's present attitude is lest it may seem to the Russians or Japanese to press peace at any price. He would never do that, but if all tbe published accounts of his acts are true, that would be true.” The correspondent added: "It is beyond question that America, though eagerly desirous of pease, does not desire peace which Japan thinks is not for her interest or honor. Americans feel goodwill to Russia, but the unchanging conviction that the Japanese were in the right from the beginning, and are in the right now.”