The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-08-18
ENJOYS MAKE
SOME PROGRESS
THREE OF TWELVE ARTICLES OF
JAPANESE CONDITIONS ARE
AGREED TO.
OPEN DOOR In MANCHURIA
QUESTIONS RELATING TO KOREA
AND MANCHURIA ARE
SETTLED.
1T Is A TOSS UP FOR TREATY
PEACE Is NOW NO MORE APPAR.
ENT THAN CONTINUANCE
OF WAR.

portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 16. - AL.
though very rapid progress was made
IN the peace negotiations yesterday,
three of the twelve articles which
constitute the Japanese conditions of
peace having been agreed to by Mr.
Witte and Baron Rosen on behalf of
Russia, neither of the two articles to
which Mr.. Witte, in his reply, re-
turned an absolute negative was
reached. The crisis, therefore, is
still to come. 1t may be reached to-
day, as the cession of Sakhalin comes
fifth in the list. The three articles" :"
as they are officially designated in the
brief communication authorized to be
given to the press, which were dis
posed of yesterday, are in substance
as follows:
F1rst-Russia's recognition of JAP
ans 'preponderating influence" and
special position in Korea, which Rus
sia henceforth agrees is outside of her
sphere of influence,
Japan Binding Herself
to recognize the sovereignty of the
reigning family, but with the right to
give advice and assistance to improve
the civil administration of the empire.
Second-Mutual obligation to evac-
uate Manchuria, each to surrender all
special privileges in that province,
mutual obligation to respect the
territorial integrity" of China and to
maintain the principle of equal oppor-
tunity for the commerce and industry
of all nations in that province (open
door,
Third-The cession to China of the
Chinese Eastern railroad from Harbin
southwark.
There never was any question about
the acceptance on the part of Mr..
Witte of these articles, the first two
covering in more emphatic form the
contentious of Japan in the diplomatic
struggle which preceded hostilities
This is natural consequence Of the
result of the war. The cession of the
railroad, the building of which
Cost Russia an Immense Sum,
estimated by some at between $780,
100000 and 100000, is to China.
Japan and China, therefore, will ar
range between themselves the method
by which the former is to be remuner-
ated, and through this financial opera
tion Japan might have a very consid-
cradle portion of her claim for the
Expenses of the war" liquidated.
Both sessions of the conference yes
terday are described as "amicable." !"
There were several slight jars, but
none of them serious. The plenipoten-
tiaries are showing admirable temper.
The change in the weather may be
partially responsible for the serenity
manifested at the conference table,
but it would be perhaps too much to
say that the fate of such gigantic
negotiation had been effected by few
degrees of temperature and few
thousand mosquitoes.
It Is = Toss-Up.
All the extraneous signs that led to
conclusion that peace will be OBJ
tanned have now been discounted.
The ENJOYS are deep in their work.
The crucial test will come within a
short time. The predominating in
fluence will be money. 1t will be a
commercial proposition. Mr.. Witte is
a past master OF financial intrigues.
He may be able to carry the burden
for his country. II he thinks he can
the negotiations will end within q
short time. On the other hand, the in
ternal affairs OF Russia demand peace.
Witte will get the peace.
1t Is now a toss-up. Peace is no
more apparent than the continuance
of the war.