Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1895-08-09
A VIGOROUS PROTEST
japan Not Willing to Accede
to the Powers Demand.
WILL ENDEAyoR TO HOLD ON
Forced Evacuation OF the Lao Tung
Peninsula May Result In War
"A DIPLOMATIC View.

Washington, August 3.-The diplo.
matte corps in Washington is watching
with much interest at present the set
Element Of the question Of the evacua-
tion Of Port Arthur in accordance with
the demand which Russia, France and
Germany are reported to have made
upon the japanese to evacuate the en-
tire Lao Tung peninsula without ref
erence to China's fulfillment of her
part Of the Shimonoseki treaty obliga-
tions. 1t is made quite clear at the
japanese legation here that Japan will
not accede to this demand, if really
made, without vigorous protest.
Japan, said an official of the le-
CATION in discussing the contingency
today, will fight before she will yield
the advantage she has in the penin-
sula, without full settlement Of the
indemnity awarded her for the surren-
der of the concession. 1t is too import
ant lever to let 20 Of, simply because
it may suit Russia's purpose to ask it.
1t is our understanding here that the
evacuation is to depend upon the pay
ment of the indemnity. Japan GER
tainly regarded the matter in that light
when the treaty was amended at the
instance Of the European powers. 1t
may be claimed that the question is
no longer between China and Japan,
but rather one between Japan and the
European countries interested in the
settlement. But this position is not
tenable 1t is China to which Japan
must look for the money she is to re-
ceive, and it is Chinese territory that
is involved in the controversy; and if
it is matter Of keeping faith with the
European powers, let them make good
the indemnity if they do not want Ja-
pan to continue at Port Arthur. ("
The representatives here of the Mi.
kado's government are evidently not
impressed with the belief that France
and Germany are so much concerned
over this settlement as has been repre-
sented. Diplomats, generally, also
find it hard to realize that Russia
should be so much in earnest in press.
ing Japan to the wall in these matters
as she is reported to be. They say that
having gained every advantage sought,
Russia would naturally be expected
now TO press her claims in way moi
to further wound the feelings of the
Japanese.
| Russia" said a member of the
diplomatic corps, has succeeded in
preventing Japan's getting any foot
hold whatever in the Asiatic continent
and it is evident from recent accounts
that Europe is reaping a diplomatic
harvest in Corea to which Japan is en-
titled. 1t has always been Russia'l
policy to treat conquered nation Sc
leniently as to soon Russianize them
Why she should not treat Japan al
literally and make the Pacific islant
her actual, as she is her natural, ally
passes my comprehension.
There is good reasons for believing
the Japanese are taking every oppor
tunity to impress upon the Russians
the advantage to them of friendly CO
operation between the two countries il
the Eastern Pacific. Whether this il
to be done with a view of Japan con
tinuing to hold Port Arthur, notwith
standing the existence of the treaty, il
not so clear, but there are some wh'
interpret the Japanese tactics to meal
this. 1t seems clear, at any rate, from
all that can be learned here, that ia
pan will hold on to the footing sh
now occupies on Chinese soil until tn
indemnity is paid or until she is sdrivel
out by more formidable display thai
can be made in diplomatic confer
ence.