Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-11
Specific Sum is Not Mentioned and Word
Indemnity is Not Used.
sAKHAuN ISLAND TO Be RETURNED
Russians Are to Retire from Manchuria
and Turn Leases to Japan.
vuscoWTEs REGARD TERMS AS HARSH
They Were at once Cabled to the
CEAr and Answer iH Expected
Today-Envoys WIN Meet
Again Monday.

PORTSMOUTH, n. H, Aug. 10.-Reim-
bursement for the expenses sustained In
the prosecution OF the war and the cession
OF the island OF sakhalin constitute the
main features OF the peace conditions
handed by Baron Komura to NJ. Witte AT
the conclusion OF the morning session Of
the plenipotentlaries in the general stores
building Of the Portsmouth navy yard The
word Indemnity is carefully avoided, the
term employed being reimbursement for
the cost Of the war" No sum Is fixed the
amount being distinctly adjourned for mu-
tual adjustment between the two countries
after the Japanese expenditure has been
ascertained.
These are the two all important conditions
and those which the Russian plenfpoten-
tiaries hnd absolutely unacceptable. Inac-
ceptable as they are, however, 1t can be
stated that these two principal conditions
did not come as a surprise TO the Russian
plenipotentiaries. The friendly fashion in
which Baron Komura explained the condi-
tions before handing them to NJ. Witte
and the avoidance of the use OF the word
Indemnity in the presentation Of Japan's
bill for the cose of the war leaves the
way open for negotiations and constitutes
the main hope that a final agreement is
possible. Certainly the danger of a sudden
rupture, no matter what the ultimate re-
suit may be- is preeluded by today's devel-
opments.
other Demands of Japan.
The other terms are substantially what
the world expected and with one or perhaps
two exceptions could probably be enter
tained as basis OF negotiation. They in
y clude the following
The cession of the Russian leases to the
thur and Dalny. The evacuation of the
entire province of Manchuria, the retro
cession TO China of any privileges Russia
may have in the province and the recognl-
tion by Russia of the principle OF the open
door" The cession to japan of the Chinese
Eastern railroad below Harbln, the main
line through northern Manchuria to Vladi-
vostok to remain Russian property. The
Tecognitlon of the Japanese protectorate
over Korea. The grant of fishing rights
70 japan in the waters of the Russian lit
f3EiSis n9Ithyard tram Vladivostok to the
The reiinqSishment to Japan Of the Rus
sian warships interned in neutral ports;
strength in far eastern waters.
Regard Terms as Harsh.
AS a whole the terms are regarded as
exceedingly hard by the Russians In addi-
ton to the two principal conditions which
cannot be accepted under NJ. Whites in
structions, those relating to the limiting of
Russian naval power in the far east and
the granting Of fishing rights upon the
Russian littoral are considered particularly
country and OF such humiliating char
Reter as to be inadmissible. The japanese
on the contrary, as Baron Komura an
nounced at the conference today, consider
them moderate, cOntending that they only
represent a fair compensation for the eX-
penses of the war and their military and
naval successes, their sole purpose being to
obtain the objects for which they have
:. fought, the spois claimed being only such
\ as Wctors are legitimately entitled.
u The Russian plenpotentiaries, as soon ss
the Japanese claims were I'm their hands,
called in the five expert delegates attached
to the mission and spent the whole after
noon In the consideration of the terms
Meantime the terms had been placed in
cipher and cabled to the czar, with NJ
Witte's personal recommendations.
Russians VIII Reply Monday.
1t is hoped that a reply will be received
from the emperor tomorrow, in which case
NJ. Witte expects TO have the Russian reply
Y ready by Saturday. but 1t is expected that
Saturday, being the first anniversary of the
birth Of the czarevitch. the presentation OF
the reply will be deferred until Monday
Meantime the plenipotentiaries will moi
meet unless some unexpected necessity foi
a conference should arise
The Japanese plenipotentiaries manifest
not the slightest annoyance at the prospec
OF a few days delay. They realize how
serious the issue is and are perfectly will
ing to give their Russian colleagues amIl,
time for consideration.
M Witte ard Baron Rosen had yester
day accepted an invitation 10 dine with AS
slstant Secretary Peirce and in spite o
their arduous labors at the navy yard to
day kept the engagement On their returr
20 their quarters in the hotel they plunge,
again into their work and the lights in thei
rooms burned until long after midnight.
Much excitement prevailed about the no
tel, the corridors OF which were thronge,
with summer guests and newspaper cor
respondents, all discussing and speculatinl
upon the terms while on the corridor
dozens Of telegraph instruments were click
ing of dispatches to ali quarters Of IN
globe. The Russian and japanese pleni
potentiaries denied themselves to callers. n
statements were issued and TO only a fey
were Japans conditions known.
witte objects 20 KOmura's Action.
Immediately after the plenlpotentiarie
and their secretaries gathered in the con
ference foom and exchanged complimentar
words partly in japanese. NJ Witte pru
duced a diplomatic note addressed to IN
japanese plenipo Rsntiaries in connectio
with their failure to present their creden
tials at yesterdays meeting. What N
contents OF this note are. cannot yet b
learned. but there is basis for the belle
, that NJ. Witte in this note took occasion Z
- give expression to the surprise that h
undoubtedly felt that the Japanese plen
potentaries, after having from the outst
Of the preliminary negotiations laid so muc
stress on the necessity OF examining cred
entails before the first step was taken shoul
at the first meeting have failed 10 brin
with them full ofhcial letters. II was n
understanding OF the Russian envoys this
Baron Komura would decline 10 even ope
negotiations of the most informal eharacts
Il unless he had satisfied himself OF the va
"a, idity OF the full powers OF NJ Witte. Hi
torieal preeedents are quoted In the moi
TO show the irregularity OF yesterdays pr,