TOPICS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 41

TOPICS OF THE WEEK.

NO AVAR INDEMNITY,

The disclosure of the terms upon which Japan is prepared to “bury the hatchet” has not been received in Russia in a spirit that makes for peace. When the u turns are analysed they do not seem harsh demands for a Power to make, after demonstrating extraordinary ability to fight both on land and sea, and after winning every engagement, including some of the greatest battles in history, in a campaign lasting a year, and a half. Oil the contrary, the Japanese appear to- have studiously endeavoured to make their demands as moderate as possible, . consistent with the future safety of the island 1 nation and the dignity of a new Great Power. There is manifested also a desire to avoid wounding the feelings of the Czar and his conquered subjects by the use of the word “reimbursements” instead! of “indemnity.” The latter word has certainly an unpleasant sound to- a beaten people, but the Russians are, apparently, not" to be beguiled by the euphemism of the language, and have rejected not only the proposal for an indemnity, but also that for the cession of Saghalien Island (which, by the way, belonged to the Japanese group until about thirty years ago). Time, M. de Witte has announced that the remaining clauses of the proffered terms will 1 be accepted as a basis upon which to conduct negotiations, but it is difficult to see how, or to what purpose, the Mikado’s envoys can discuss the minor points of the scheme, if the Czar’s representatives will not listen to reasons in support of the major issues. Unless Russia- recedes from the position she has taken up at New Hampshire, it will only remain for Japan to- drive her back by force of arms from the position she is clinging to in the Far East. There is little doubt that the Island Empire can succeed in this, and the Northern Power will thus lose the advantages to be obtained to-day by accepting the moderate terms of peace proposed. AN INQUIRY GRANTED. The mystery surrounding “that voucher” is at last in a fair wa.y of’being solved, since Parliament has requested the Controller and Auditor-General to hold a full inquiry into the subject and report to the House. This action has- been - taken as the result of a petition from Messrs J. B. Hey wood, R. J. Collins, and T. F. Grey—three of the officials who certified that such a voucher as that described by Mr Fisher and his friends was non-existent, and that no payment under such a voucher hact been made to Captain Secidon. These officials arc justly indignant at being accused of “deliberate dishonesty,” for that is what they contend is involved in the repetition of Mr Fisher’s accusation after they had declared, as the result of a search which left no room tor honest mistake on their part, that no such voucher had beeu issued or payment made; and the House has done well in complying with the prayer of their petition. The tribunal that- is to deal with the matter is one that will be thoroughly satisfactory to the public. Mr Warbur,ton is well-known as a gentleman of inflexible integrity and conscientiousness, and his past career is a guarantee that if he discovers even the slightest irregularity he will not hesitate to expose it, no matter what the consequences may be to himself or others. Some people have accused him of being biassed against the present Government when he has had occasion to criticise or disallow some Ministerial action or proposal; but we believe he has always been animated by a.strict if somewhat punctilious sense of duty. The elucidation of the voucher mystery could not be placed in better hands. The inquiry will not be one in which any person is indicted on suspicion or on allegations in sealed documents. It will primarily he an investigation in the interest and at the inst’gation of responsible public servants whose veracity o v capacity has been assailed ; but it will in r’enlally cover the whole groan A of the inquiry demanded by Mr

Fisher, and in its result will either vindicate the Government and Captain Seddon or restore the “New Liberals to that place in the public esteem from which they have fallen in consequence of their wholesale aspersion of State servants. The three members of the Civil. Service who are stated to have made affidavits, supporting Mr ll isher . and contradicting the certificates of the of the Treasury, Defence, and Postal Departments-,..wi1l have an opportunity of giving evidence—an opEortunity which will also, we presume, e extended to Mr Fisher; Mi* Taylor, and'the rest who profess to know something of the alleged transaction. An inquiry on the. lines proposed will command' the public confidence as fully as one by a Supreme Court Judge would do, and: the public . will await the-: report with all needed patience. The Auditor-General is. an independent man, in an independent position, and his judgment may be inplicitly relied upon. As the voucher question is now practically- “sub judice,” it is desirable that everyone should refrain from discussing, in the press or on the platform, the merits of the matter, and suspend final judgment until Mr YVarburton's report is- laid' before Parliament. Mr Fisher has congratulated die. Premier on taking the proper course in suggesting this form of inquiry, and in that congratulation the country at large will join.