The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-08-24
Gives Out Statement Explaining
Russia's Position on New
Proposition
SAYS IT is A TRICK
SAYS HIS COUNTRY WILL NEVER
CONSENT TO PAY AN iNDEM-
NIFTY, 5Y ANY NAME
WHATSOEVER.

Portsmouth, Aug. 23-An author ta-
tive statement was made to the As
soeiated Press tonight explaining the
Russian position with regard to the
latest stage Of the peace negotiat ons.
The statement declares that the prop
osition presented by Japan today that
Russia repurchase the northern half
of sakhalin for i.200O00,000 yen con-
tains no new proposition The only
difference between that and the de-
mand for indemnity Is The phraseolo.
gy in which Il Is couched All that
Japan doeg, the statement declares,
"ls to join the question Of Sakhaln
with that of cash payment and to in
sist upon war costs under the name
Of purchase money. The transaction
Is fictitious and the terminoIogy mis-
leading. If what Is proposed to be In
truth purchase and sale II should
be treated as such; and therefore
should Russia decline to buy the ter.
T tory Japan should keep II and con.
elitde peace on the basis Of concas-
sions already made Again. If pure
" business transaction were indeed
Intended the value of the territory of
fered would be the basis on which
the two parties would treat.
Same Old Offer.
But here even this essential con-
1 tion Is not observed. The price de-
| manded for rhe northern half of the
island II l,20e,000,60O yen, which Is
| he original estimate OF the war COSTS.
Possibly Japan may have fixed that
snm with the intention OF whiting
i i down TO some extent later on, bur
ausssa, mindful OK her national hon
ur, her military strength and her. hss
|. turin traditions. VIII not and c&nnot
consent To pay war indemnity hy
: whatsoever name 1t may be called,
nor can she, nor indeed the world at
i large, regard Japan's proposal as d
oroof Of genuine desire for peace.
Japan having obtained all thar INC
! aeeded and longed for as a nation
low narrows the issue to qnesti0n
II dollars and cents, yet refuse for
9aace's sake TO waive her demand.
Russia on the contrary, has conceded
Freely and fully everything she could
siye consistently with her sense Of ma.
ional honor and dignity. Hence, what
10 japan Is but a matter Of money is
! 70 Russia a point Of honor. TO with.
lraw the cash claim is therefore i'm
neasurably eas err to Japan than 1t
!
would be for Russia to allow II. Rus
} sia has suffered reysrses owing to her
own lack OF organization, her unpre-
paredness and her internal disorders,
1ut she Is still mighty and uncon.
luered nation whose people will en-.
Enthusiastically uphold Their represen-
tatives In their firm resolve to keep
he national sscutcheon immaculate :
Z Put II Up to Japan.
I The statement continue: "If there
4 tore, the efforts Of American friends
q IRE to be crowned with success. II the
\ abors of the conference are not to
Y md In smoke, and ii the effusion 81
Hood in the far east Is to be tarmin
tted, ii behooves Japan to make a
frank declaration that She wthdraws
1nce for all and without reserve her
+ lemand 10 have her war cost paid In
my shape or form"
X concludes with the declaration
hat peace Is not and cannot be as
sured until Japan unreservedly with
iraws her claim to have the costs oi
me campaign refunded by Russia.