Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-09-07
JAPAN BACKS DOWN
PROSPECTS OF A PEACE TREATY
GROW MUCH BRIGHTER.

PROSPECTS OF A PEACE TREATY
GROW MUCH BRIGHTER.
Nipponese Want Pay for Half of SAX.
haIin-Amount of Compensation to
Be Fixed by Mixed Tribunal-Turns
Tables on Russia.
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 29.-Today
Baron Komura, acting upon instruc'
tions received from Toxic as result
of the meeting of the cabinet and
elder statesmen, under the direct
presidency of the emperor of Japan,
will submit to M. White a new basis
of compromise, and that compromise,
it is firmly believed, will ensure peace.
The revelation contained in the AS
ISOLATED Press exclusive announce
ment that Japan had already informed
Emperor Nicholas, through Ambassa-
dor Meyer, that Japan was ready to
waive the question of indemnity and
submit the price to be paid for the
northern half of Sakhalin to the judg-
ment of a mixed commission but pre-
pared the way for Japan's backdown
upon the main issue. The announce
ment had been the sensation of the
day. 1t had met with denials, high
and low. There was even disposition
to ridicule the idea Of arbitrating the
price of half of the island. Neverthe-
less, on all hands it was admitted, if
Japan took this position, the ground
was cut out from under Emperor
Nicholas.
Japs Turn Tables Upon Russia.
M. White, by consummate skill in
conceding all the demands of Japan
! involving the real issues of the war,
had unanswered his adyersaries into
a position where, unless they aban-
| doned the claim for indemnity, they
| could be held responsible for continu-
ing the war for money. The Japanese,
now foregoing the demand for indem-
nifty, practically turn the tables up
on Russia and shift the burden back
to her shoulders if she does not con-
sent to submit minor issue to the
impartial judgment of tribunal. M.
White publicly dissents vigorously
from the proposition, and there will
| still be a struggle with Peterhof, but
| if Japan agrees to formally renounce
all claims for direct or indirect COM
| pensation for the expenses of the war,
the big stumbling block to peace is
out of the way.
All Depends Upon Form of Proposal.
Everything will depend upon the
form in which the proposal is submit
ted. Should the remuneration be so
coupled with the other proposition
that Russia could claim 1t was still
only disguised demand for tribute
the gulf might only be narrowed, not
hridged. All the private advices that
reach the Russian mission froaa St.
Petersburg indicate that the military
party is insistent that Linevitch be
| given a chance, and that negotiations
be broken off. M White feels the
| pressure of this sentiment and he is
quite capable, if the Japanese prop
osition savors still of "blood money"
to refuse even to accept it for trans
mission to st. Petersburg.
But such a stroke is not expected.
| M. White knows that public opinion,
both in America and in Europe, as
well as in Russia, would condemn him
If he broke off the negotiations just as
the way was opened for possible &C.
cord.
Much Going on Beneath Surface.
While apparently the real negotia-
tons leading up to the denouement
| were conducted by the president at
Oyster Bay acting through Baron
Kaneko on the one hand and Ambas-
sador Meyer on the other, it is now
believed that much has been going on
beneath the surface here. Another
indication of the sudden turn in the
events was the arrival here of Frank
A. Vanderlip, vice president of the
City National bank of New York. He
went to M. Whites room and remained
there one hour. He evaded inquiries
as to whether the subject of loan
had been discussed.
Some of the Japanese were greatly
excited over the reports that the
Toxic government had surrendered on
the subject of indemnity. They re-
fused to believe it, declaring that, if
true, it would cause a tremendous out
burst of popular feeling in Japan.
JOINT WIFE PAINS "HUBBIEs.'
|