The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-15

T MI1T0UTIH, TTI0
 iieqee in inc nrovince to Russia, where as NJ witte contended that the oph- gation for evacuation and the sufrehuei of special privileges should De mutual and that the evacuation or the trooP9 should take place concurrently M. 84eee Is said to have contended that ne was defending not only the interests ol Rus sia. but of all the neutral powers. Cii s,e other hand the Japanese claim not oiiis that they did not resist the provision Tor siroulta neous action by the troops Of both countries but the distinct credit TOT the strong stipulations regarding the preser- vation of the territorial integrity Of China
 Chinese Integrity Assured.
 A Japanese authority said to the Asso- ciated Press tonight:
 ..The integrity of China is assured 1T the treaty of Washington is signed, as Japan has insisted that this point be set forth in language that can neither De evaded or misunderstood. Japan's policy | which on this subject has always been in line with the Hay doctrine, will find a more vigorous expression in the treaty | of Washington"
 If is also declared on behalf of Japan that she only asked that Manehuria re- | main for a certain period under Japanese control Only enough Is desired to enable the armies of Japan to evaeuate the province and by the time this evacuation is accomplished 1t is expected that China will have established the necessary sys- tenn of courts and will be in position to maintain order throughout the province.
 Japs still secrative.
 The Japanese are not swerying from their policy of secrecy regarding the ne- gotiatlons. Within the last few days the l l1n Aaat hrat n bear upon Baron Komura and Mr. Taka- hira to modify their decision, but to no | effect. The Japanese reply to all such l arguments is that having <ntered into this agreement at the suggestion of Rus sia 1t is not for Japan to break it.
 "The subject has never been seriously talked of" said the informant of the As- sociated Press "I don't say that Baron | Komura and MT. Takahira would change thsir positions even though M. Witte pre- sent the official protest of which he says so much, but the presentation of such a protest would at any rate give an op- portunity for serious discussion.
 To the suggestion that the American public opinion might be alenated and that the Japanese policy of silence in the face of the publicly expressed wish of the Russians for publicity. the reply is made, We do not seek public sympathy | by such methods American friendship if 1t be sincere as we believe it. will mol l be overturned by the fact that Japan I after a solemn compact entered into with | Russia, refused in pursuance of all inter- national precedent, to make public the negotiations now in progress, until some agreement shall have been arrived at. Far from losing friendship in this country, we believe the Japanese plenipotentiaries l will gain them by the solid way in which we follow this course"
 Did Not Discuss Railroad.
 Portsmouth, N. H., August 15.-Q a. m. ) The statement was made to the Asso- olated Press that while the facts sent earlier regarding the article covering the l cesson of the Chinese eastern railroad to China are correct, the article agreed | to yesterday did not deal with that ques- ton.
 Both Must Recede Materially.
 St. Petersburg, August H.-The Asso- clated Press Is in a position to declare that practically the only hope entertain- ed in high Russian official quarters for a peace agreement at the conference al 1 Portsmouth lies in the expectation that both will recede materially from terms as published. Official and public senti- ment regarding the possibilities of peace, outlined to the Associated Press by an official who has constant and close rela- tions with the highest authorities is as fo1lows
 ''The terms are regarded in their en- tirety as quite impossible of acceptance and close scrutiny has not removed the very unfavorabe impression their first reading has produced here. If they are modified, especially in the matters of h. demnity and territorial concessions, peace it is thought Is impossible, and the con- tinunace of the negotiations useless. Rus sia is honestly and sincerely desrous oi securing an honorable and lasting peace and to this end has sent her plenipoten- tiaries to Portsmouth. They did not journey hither merely to learn the Jap anese demands-the nature of their ere. | dentials proves that-but they went in ar | earnest endeavor to do everything possi- ble to terminate the war in a manner compatible with the dignity of great nation.
 "The Japanese terms are regarded ir |sRussia as demands which might be made upon an utterly crushed and powerless enemy, but it Is absurd to propose them to a power like Russia, which has hali million in the field facing the enemy This army is in good condition and eager for action. It possesses many advantages of position and the winter Is coming or when naval operations would be impos- sible.
 vladlvostok We'll Fortified.
 'vladivostolx is also splendidly fortified and supplied. Japan, as well as the worlc at large, has persistently underestimatec Russia's strength in the field and hel financial resurces at home.
 "The more hopeful feeling which is no ticeable here can be traced to the con viction that M Witte who is thoroughly cognizant of the views of the Russian government would not continue negotia tions at Portsmouth unless he had reason 10 believe that Japan would reduce hei demands sufficiently to render them ac- ceptable to Russia. The Russian en voys went to Portsmouth ready to make reasonable and honorable concessions and If peace is to result from the nego' tiations on American soil, Japan must also show an equal spirit of reasonable ness and sincerity in her protestations for peace. Russia believes that the worlc rould recognize that the fault In the case of failure will not rest with Rus sia."
 Practical Armistice Exists.
 Portsmouth, N. H., August 14-It seems to be taken for granted among the at taches of both the Japanese and Russian missions that there will be ne genera battle in Manchuria while the peace ne gotiations are on. Oyama is known to be prepared to strike the moment the negotiations fail. and there may be more | or laSa elxirnniSlntpo ard of1tpost enEaG