Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-12
Absolute Refusal to Pay Indemnity or Cede Island
Of Sakhan- -0ther Points Accepted as Bases
and Still Others Condtiona|y Accepted Mon
day Will See Real Discussion Begin Deepest
Pessimism Reigns in Camps Of Both Japanese
and Russian P|enipotentiaries.

the preparation Of their response. Mon
day, therefore, is expected to be the
day on which the real discussion will
begin. Neither wants to indulge in dip
lomatic sparring. The time for fencing
is over and less than week must de-
eide whether a basis of peace is posi-
HE.
The tactics of the japanese are in
scrutable. They have shown through
out the war this ability to guard their
secrets, military. naval and diplomat
&c and now not the remotest clue comes
from behind their closed doors as to
whether they are prepared to make
substantial concessions. Silence and Sc
crecy are the watchwordS. But if the
conditions as submitted constitute their
last word. hope of peace may be re-
garded as having disappeared If the
feeling reelected in Russian circles is a
true criterion. And that no substantial
concessions on the main issues will be
made is the belief both in Russian and
Japanese circles.
Tonight, in the inner camps
of both Observation-Disclosures the
deepest pessimism reigns. M. White 1t
is positively known believes the pros
poets Of an agreement are remote as
he practically nil. He has no desire to
prolong the agony and instead of fenc-
ing when the plenipotentiaries come TO-
getlier after the Japanese have had the
ooportunity to examine the reply, there
| is strong reason to believe he Will not
only welcome, but will insist upon an
Immediate discussion of all the pro-
posed basis. So pessmistic is he that
| he has already been talking to his col
leagues Of his plans when the rupture
comes. Before sailing for home, ne con-
Templates a brief visit to Chicago.
That tho Japanese terms in so lar
| as they touch the two main points VIII
| not be withdrawn or materially modl-
| fed is the opinion Of a japanese au-
| thcrity on the ground who will tax
for publication, namely Julio kumpel
Matsumato. a member of the japanese
parliament. who is here as financial
emissary Of Japan and who is in close
communication with Baron konnrt
and Mr.. TaKahira. The reasons ne as
signs are extremely interesting.
1.-THE conditions in their broad out
lines" said he, to TIE Assoclateu fresS
loorresnondent. tonight. have been sub
stantially known to us in japan anu
the Russians will be very much mis-
taken if they ina CINE the Japanese Will
not insist upon the two chief points
the indemnity and the cession OF SAX
halin. To surrender either is 1mpossi-
bic. If Baron Komura should yield on
these points, public feeling in Japan
would be so strong that he would be
murdered upon his return to Japan.
We must be reimbursed for the cost
of the war and we have national Grams
tn Sakhalin which we have never for
gotten.
| about 900 years ago, the island was
explored by a japanese, Juzo konda'
who occupied 1t in the name OF Japan
and called it Karafuto, the name be-
slowed upon 1t by the aboriginal mo
raoe which at that time also inhabited
tho island of Kowwaido when it was
6nallv discovered" by Russian cap
lain. who occupied in the name of Rus
eia Japan protested and long de-
c,,ltorv negotiation followed. But Jap
IN was then weak. She had neither
army nor navy nor internal organiza-
ltion Indeed, the country was almost
lcn the verge OF revolution. Japan
could not resist and the upshot was
lthat Russia one day ended the con-
ltroversy by announcing that she would
lake Sakhalin and give Japan the
Ch,sbima (Kuriles) islands-which
lJapan already owned.
Japan has no desire to humiltati
Russia more than is necessary ant
Ieven now is seeking to avoid woundins
lRussia's susceptibilities. but public
lopinion in Japan is absolutely so firm
upon the main issues that no Japanes'
lstatesman could possibly dare to with
draw the terms which have been pro
lnosed as the basis of peace.
1.-THE japanese government has onl
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