The Topeka state journal., 1905-08-11
JAPAN'S TERMS.
She Demands Reimbursement"
for Expense Of the War.
Also CessiOn Of the Island of SAX
halin by Russia.
ASKS NO STATED SUM.
That Is Avoided by Not Mention
ing Indemnity.
Nothing Is Said Regarding the
Future Of VladiVOstok.
ASKS NO STATED SUM.

Portsmouth. N. H., Aug. 11.-Reim-
bursement for the expenses sustained
IN the prosecution of the war and the
cession of the island of Sakhalin con-
Stitute the main features of the peace
conditions handed by Baron Komura
to NJ. Witte.
The word Indemnity was care
fully avoided, the term employed be-
ing reimbursement for the cost of
she war. No sum is fixed. the amount
being distinctly adjourned for mutual
adjustment between the two countries
after the Japanese expenditure has
been ascertained. These are the two
all-important conditions, and those
which the Russian plenipotentiaries
find absolutely unacceptable. Unac-
Saptable as they are, however, it can
be stated that these two principal con-
ditionS did not come as a surprise to
the Russian plenipotentiaries. The
friendly fashion in which Baron Ko-
nura explained the conditions before
handing them to M. Witte, and the
avoidance of the use of the word
indemnity" in the presentation of
Japan's bill for the cost of the war
without fixing a sum 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
result may be, is precluded. The
world expected and with one or per-
haps two exceptions could probably
be entertained as basis of negotiation.
They include the following:
Summary of Japanese Terms.
The cession of the Russian leases to
the Liaotung peninsula, comprising
Port Arthur and Dalny the eVacua-
ton of the entire province of Man
churia, the retrocession to China of
any privileges Russia may have in the
province. and the recognition by Rus
sta of the principle of the "open
door," The cession to Japan of the
Chinese Eastern railway below Har-
bin, the main line through Northern
Manchuria to Vladivostok to remain
russian property. The recognition of
the Japanese protectorate over Korea.
The grant of fishing rights to Japan
in the waters of the Siberian littoral
northward frem Vladivostok to the
Behring sea. The REIMBURSEMENT to
Japan of the Russian warships in
termed in neutral ports. Finally, a
limitation upon the naval strength of
Russia in far eastern waters.
As whole, the terms are regarded
es exceedingly hard by the Russians.
In addition to the two principal con-
ditions which can not be accepted un-
der Mr.. Whites instructions those
relating to the limiting of Russian
naval power in the far east and the
granting of fishing rights upon the
Russian Httoral are considered par
Of their country and of such a hu-
initiating character as to be inadmis-
sible.
The japanese, on the contrary. as
Baron komura announced at the con-
ference, consider them moderate, con-
tending that they only represent a
1afr compensation for the expenses of
the war and the victories thew have
achieved on land and sea. their sole
purpose being to attain the objects for
which they have fought, the spoils
claimed being only such as they are
1egiumately entitled to as the result
of their military and naval successes
The Russian plenipotentiaries. as soon
as the Japanese terms were in their
hands, called in the five expert dele
gates attached to the mission and spent
the whole afternoon in the cousi1era
ttou of the terms. Meantime the CON
ditions had been placed in cipher and
caoled 70 the czar, with Mr.. Whites
personal recommendations.
Reply Expected Monday.
It is hoped that a reply will be re-
cedyed from the emperor today, in
which case M. Witte expects to have
the Russian response ready by Satur-
gay, put 1t IS not unlikely that Satur-
day being the first anniversary of the
birth of the czarevitch, the presenta-
ton of the reply will be deferred un-
I'll Monday Meantime the plenipo-
tendaries will not meet unless some
unexpected necessity for a conferences
should arise.
The japanese plenipotentiaries
manifest not the slightest annoyance
at the prospect of few days. delay.
They realize how serious the issue IS
and are perfectly willing to give their
Russian colleagues ample time for
consideration. NJ. Witte and Baron
Rosen had accepted an invitation to
dine with Assistant Secretary of State
Pierce, and in spite of their arduous
labors at the navy yard they kept
the engagement. Upon their return
TO their quarters in the hotel. they
plunged again into their work and the
lights in their rooms burned until
long after midnight.
Much excitement prevailed about
the hotel, the corridors of which were
thronged with summer guests and
newspaper correspondents, all discuss
ing and speculating upon the terms,
while of the corridors dozens of tele-
graph instruments were all clicking
or dispatches to all quarters of the
globe. The Russian and Japanese
plenipotentiaries denied themselves to
callers. no statements were issued and
only 20 a few were Japan's conditions
known.