Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-14
ENJOYS DISCUSS
KOREA'S FATE
M. WITTE RAISES THE CRY OF
YELLOW PERIL"
JAPAN ENTERS A DENIAL
Komura Says object Is to Protect
Hermit Kingdom and Secure
Commercial and Indus
trial Condition
JAPAN ENTERS A DENIAL
BY Associated Press.

PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. 13.-No
progress has been made with the peace
negotiations over Sunday. They stand
exactly where they did last night.
The session of the plenipotentiaries
which was to be held this afternoon
was postponed by mutual consent out
of reverence of the holy Sabbath which
is universally observed in Russia as a
day Of rest.
The Russians had not been anxious
for session today and this morning
the Japanese took the initiative and
through the intermediary of Mr., Peirce
It was decided to postpone the sitting
until tomorrow morning. 1t would per-
haps not be too much to say that the
general feeling is more hopeful in spite
of open predictions made by personages
connected with both sides of the nego-
tiations that before next Sunday the
plenipotentiaries will reach an impasse
where rupture will become inevitable.
This pessimistic view is based upon
the fact that so far as known the two
big barriers to an agreement-indem-
nifty and Sakhalin-remain as high and
insurmountable as ever.
Think Japanese May Yield
The real struggle is only postponed.
The main problems are no nearer solu-
ton than when the p;enipotentiaries
met. The principal reason for optimism
lies in the fact that, confronted with
the absolute refusal of the Russian re-
ply to admit the discussion of either
indemnity or the cession of the island
of Sakhalin, the Japanese proposed to
take up the consideration of the con-
ditions seriatum. From this it is as
sumed that the japanese are prepared
to yield or have reason to believe way
will be found to overcome the objections
Of their adversaries when the crucial
test comes.
An intimatlon comes from a high
source that very strong outside inf1uen-
ces are at work on both sides and that
for the moment the effort is to gain
time. The plan Of having Russia prac-
tically satisfy Japans claim of reim-
bursement for the cost of the war by
the purchase Of the Japanese military
evacuation of Sakhalin continues to be
advanced. Such a solution would per-
NIT Russia to say she had paid neither
indemnity nor ceded a foot of territory.
To Raise "YeIIow Peril" Cry
The debate in yesterdayse conference
over the first condition, the recognition
of Japan's "preponderating influence
over Korea, involving her right to con-
troll the administration of the Hermit
kingdom, use the littoral for strategic
purposes, ETC., was of a remarkable
character Indeed, the position taken
by M. Witte was sensational in the ex
treme His attitude reveals plainly the
Russian tactics. They propose to raise
before the world the spectre of the
i'yellow peril" Russia claims that
Japan's present purpose is to get a
foothold on the Asiatic continent from
which to extend her dominion. M.
Witte made no objection, but he de-
clared the words "preponderating infiu-
ence" did not adequately describe what
Japan proposed to do, and he insisted
that the language used should show
Japan's true purpose-which he con-
tended was to make a Japanese prov
ince of Korea. His argument might
be summarized as follows:
Russia has no objection to Japan
taking Korea, but you must avow it
plainly. If it is to be taken it should
be taken officially so that the world
possession of the persons of the entire
kingdom"
Argues Korean Question
All Of which means Korea is to be-
long to Japan. So be it. Russia will
not object, but Japan should avow
purpose which is against the interests
of Europe and America. and practi-
cally against the interests of the United
States, China and even of your ally.
England. If this is satisfactory to you
and America, Russia raises no protest.
You propose to destroy every vestige of
the sovereignty of the emperor of
Korea, but you desire to employ a
formula which will conceal your true
purpose. The country which viii suffer
most is America, which will understand
It in about ten years when 1t is too
late.
To this argument Baron Komura dis
sented most vigorously, although in the
most friendly manner, contending that
Japan only sought to secure for her