The idea of the bearded explorer was simple. The only reason why the newly found group was convinced that they deserved to receive reparation for their losses, was due to the wrong assumption that the explorers were the strongest individuals that the universal government had to offer.
On the other hand, from the point of view of the universal government, for the beings that had been sent through the wormhole to explore the unknown space on the other side.. to be the strongest amongst the warriors of their own dominion.. It made sense.
Both groups had sent strong individuals, and yet not their top warriors.. And that, paired with the assumption that there was nothing more to see of each other's repertoire, made them certain of the fact that they were the strongest.
The negotiation that took place during the past eight months, were basically a game of arm wrestle.