The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-19
PROMISE OF PEACE
IN THE FAR EAST
TWO COUNTRIES POSITIONS
,r SHOWN TO BE NOT so FAR
APART AS BEFORE.

,.sja Recognizes Japanese Pre-
dominance in COrea and Japan
pccognizes Russian PredOminance
IN NIanchuria-TwO Main Cues
..4on. Yet at Issue Relate to Pro-
,,s.d Neutral ZOnes-The Peace
nan. BECOMES Much stronger.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 1S.-The Asso-
ois+od Press correspondent, on high
agtbority. is able to give the follow
i7o as the present status of the nego-
+istions between Russia and Japan:
prussia recognizes Japans predomi-
nance in Corea and Japan recognizes
Russia's special position in Manchu-
ria.
There are two main questions at
iseue-The Russians demand for a
neutral zone on the Corean side of the
Ya}u river. which Japan met with a
nroposal for similar neutral strip on
the Manchurian side.
Japan also asks for certain guaran-
tees covering Manchuria, which Rus
STA thus far has declined to grant. 1t
is ro,uted out, however, that the as
sursnces given few days ago by
Russia regarding open ports in Man
Churia and respect for treaty rights is
Z. concession on this point.
THAT the two countries are not so
far apart may be fairly inferred from
the following statement made by MI.
Kurno. the japanese minister, to the
Associated Press correspondent:
War now would only be disastrous
to both countries. Owing to the geo
graphical situation, an armed conflict
would result in great drain of the
men and treasure of both Japan and
Russia without being decisive Be
sides, l believe it would not be worth
While to go to war on the questions
still in dispute
Cars Word Hostage.
The Cars assurance given at the
winter palace, Jan. IA, on the occasion
of the New Years reception. that he
desired and intended to do all in his
power to maintain peace in the Far
East. is regarded by the foreign dipo-
mats as a hostage given to the world
for the preservation of peace, while the
guarantee that Russia will recognize
the open ports and other concessions in
Manchuria, will, it is thought, place the
OnuS of a rupture on Japan.
Many of the newsDa perS here Join in
the peaceful chorus, one paper remark
ing, however, that it was strange for
Russians to first hear of the Cars
words by way of America.
There is a strong indication that
through the Cars personal acts, the
peace party is completely in the as
cendant. M. Bezohrazoff, the head Of
the war party. has gone abroad For
eign Minister Lamsdorff, who, from the
beginning, has favored peace, is now
completely rehabiltated, and Niceroy
AleXieff has been made subservient tC
the foreign Office in the Russian-Jap
nese negotiations. His extensive pow
ers are curtailed. and he can make nc
move without the Cars personal APP
prevail. In fact, the fresh assurances
conveyed through Ambassador Cassin
to the authorities at Washington of the
recognition of the rights acquired by
the Chinese treaty, is largely attributed
to Count Lamsdorff's influence Diplo-
matte circles regard Count Lamsdorff'
conduct of the negotiations, under the
Cars direction, as a very hopeful sign
Another strong influence on the side
OF peace has been the attitude of NJ
Witte, president of the council OF
state, who has been bending his ener-
gies to avoid a conflict.