Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-18

has her claim for the rebuilding of the
| road destroyed by the Russian army.
the reconstruction of bridges AMI
change of gulgc. The matter reInair:
primarily to be adjustddi by Japan and
China ard it is not unlikely that Tho
Toxic government IS already in COM
munication with the p2kin government
on the subject.
The long dispatches gen: by Baron
komura to his government upon this
subject after yesterdays session. which
We're not all Oft until 6 O'clock this
morning. make this pre5a bic. Possibly,
IN answer from ChimI IS essential to
final agreement upon Article and this
may be- tn" true reason for the post
poncmcnt after accord in principle
had been reached. China's Wish to b"
consulted concerning articles of the
| treaty affecting her territory must be
respected in this particular at least.
China may hot care to assume the
flnantial burden involved in taking ovc:'
the road. She certainly could not rails
the money without hypothecating the
property. If Japan is Convinced that
;he road Will eventually become a pay
self advance the money. or it might be
raised for China by an international
syndicate and become ii part of the
system Of Chinese imperial railroads.
If not. Japan might and probably would
for TIE present step in,o Itussa's shoes
although she had solcmniy promised
China to restore Manchuria and to re :
tain the railroad would be to retain
stra tegicai control OF the province.
The amount Russia Viii realie is i'm
POSSIBLE to estimate. 1t will undoubt-
edly be only q comparatively small
fraction Of the sum poured into it. BY
the terms of the concession, China had
the privlCg" Of taking over the road
at the end Of Sc years Ipon the repay
n"ni of capital construction, and de-
finite charge. Japan recognized that
Russia WAS entitled to some renum-
Grafton, but The basis not known.
Tho Russian claim was founded on
the principal Of International law that
4 bclligercnt occupying territory can
exercise the right to uSufruct Of pri-
vate property during occupation but
cannot contiScatc as y spoil of war.
NJ. WHITE. in whose brain was born the
conception Of the Chinese Eastern Rail.
road was particularly competent to de
fend the rights of the company, which
Russia claims is distinctly a private
corporation although making no con
ccalncnt Of the fact that ii was backed
ty the government because of political
considerations
The original concession obtained in
1895 for the Chinese Eastern. then
simply the cut off, through Northern
NanChura. was obtained by the late
Mr.. linthstcin, director Of the Russo
Chinese Bank, and Prince Uktomsky
and the company was formed for the
construction of the roa l. In 1898. after
the lease of Port Arthur and Taller
Wan Galnyl was obtained from China
the concession for the Southern Branch
was negotiated. 1t provided for :.
! hiHese president of the road and
| ShukinGchin. v no had been the Chimes
| MINISTER in st. Petersburg was presi-
| utnt until he fell a victim 10 the anti
| loreign Boxer uprising il 100.
| IN" bonds issued with the govern
heHt guarantee were sold like govern
| ment per cent. rent2s and are now il,
! the hands of the BANKS and general
fupllc ike regular government obliga-
| 1ioils- Although the loss in operation
mas been heavy. the Russo Chimes,
BANK always believed it would become
rennhcratiVe concern. One Of the
| rig extraordinary items of expense was
me necessity of maintaining the rail
.""a guards. The southern branch,
Nni'n Tow goes to China, gave especial
p'oi'iise of being very Profitable.