Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-15
PORTSMOUTH PARLEY
Liaotung Peninsula Discussed
at Today's Session.
ARTICLE 4 AGREED UPON
CONSIDERATION OF CESsION OF
SAKHALIN MAY BE DEFERRED.
Policy of Each Side to Maneuver to
Place Responsibility Of Any
Rupture on the other.

Article four OF the peace conditions under
consideration by the Russian and japanese
plenipotentiaries was agreed upon during
the forenoon sitting of the peace confer
ence today. Considerable consideration also
was given to article five, but in the course
of discussion difference OF views developed
and It was decided to take note of the op-
posing opinions and proceed TO the consider
alton of other articles. No further agree
ments had been reached when the confer
ence adjourned. to resume at o'clock this
afternoon
The following Is the official announcement
of the morning session:
In the morning sitting of August 10 the
conference has discussed articles four and
five. Article four was unanimously agreed
imous decision on article five the pleni-
potentiaries have decided to take note Of
the divergence Of views and to proceed to
the discussion of the other articles. The
conference will be resumed at 8 o'clock
This statement was made by Mr.. Seibert
OF the Russian embassy.
Article four relates to the surrender Of
Russian leases on the Liaotung peninsula,
and article five. which was passed over
on account Of differences, to the cession
of Sakhalin Island to Japan.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., August 15.-At
the morning SESSION today consideration
Of article four, which relates to the Lao
tung peninsula and the surrender Of
the Russian leases was begun by the peace
ENJOYS. AS the cession of Sakhalin Is the
fifth article, the natural deduction would
be that today would witness a collision,
and possibly deadlock. But 1t appeared
more likely that the question of the cession
of the island, upon which neither side is
now prepared to yield when reached by
mutual agreement, would be postponed
until the end
The policy of each side as understood be-
Ing to maneuver to place the responsibility
of rupture on the other, 1t is regarded as
q practical certainty that neither will in
sist at this juncture upon precipitating a
situation which will decide this issue.
The plan Is almost certain to be to pass
over the disputed articles and see how far
an agreement is possible-then to return
and attack the obstacles. This Is the logi-
cal and general method of diplomacy. 1t
mas tNe great advantage OF bringing the
plenpotentiaries to a rapproachement upon
every possible point and clearly defining
the points of divergence, narrowing the is
sues which divide the negotiations to the
fewest possible number.
The Disputed Points
If. for instance the disputed points vera
reduced to two. ii Is considered certain
they eventually will be- the plenipotentiar-
les would be enabled to bargain or COM
propositions. If, in the end agreement
were found to be impossible the world
would know and be able 10 form its judg-
ment Of the merits of the respective cod
tentions and place the blame for the pro-
lOngation of the carnage in the far east.
The very fact that ultimately the world
Will be enabled TO fix the responsibility for
rupture, that in the final analysis the
two countries are on trial before the public
opinion of the world, constitutes the main
hope of successful outcome of the nego-
tiations. Article three, which was agreed
TO yesterday, it developed today was in
correctly stated TO be the ceSsion of the
Chinese Eastern railroad. That article
comes later.
The third article pertained to the restora-
tion of the Chinese administration In the
province of Manchuria and was a peces-
sary and natural sequence to article two
providing for mutual evacuation and rnu-
tral recognition OF Chinese territorial in
tegrity and the open door policy for
which American diplomacy has fought
The mistake was due to the fact that tho
railroad question involved generally in the
question of the restoration of Chinese adj
ministration In Manchuria, touched
First Business Today.
When the plenipotentiaries again faced
each other this morning the first business
before taking up article four, was the read
ing and signing of the protocols of yester-
days proceedings, including the draft OF
three
utes of the discussion. The Associated
Press is now able to state authoritative
from both sides that the twelve articles
now before them constitute the ''basis' of a
prospective treaty of Washington" but
as the wording is subject to revision it
does not as accepted necessarily establish
the final text.
The Associated Press is Informed that
while covering the surrender of the lease OF
Liaotung peninsula and the Blonde and Ell
nott Islands, which are included In the
leasehold. article four does not touch
Port Arthur and Dalny which are covered
in separate article. Japan. It is under
stood. insists at least for the present upon
the occupation OF these two points
The question OF Russian government and
private property will probably be dealt with
by mixed commissions. as is customary at
the conclusion of war when fortified
cities pass from the Jurisdiction of one
country to another.
There is what Is regarded as absolutely
certain warrant for the statement that NJ
garding the various articles to ST. Peters
burg or Peterhof. All that he has done thus
far has been In pursuance of his own de-
cisions, although he is advising his SOW
ereign, post facto, of what is done. But
as to the two main propositions. II the time
should ever arrive whe, In his Judgment
concession should be made upon either Il
can be regarded as certain that he would
consult the emperor before committing
himself.
In his interviews with the emperor be-
fore he left ST. Petersburg he learned and
shared the view of the ruler than peace
was impossible for Russia upon the basis
or Indemnity or cession of territory, and In
All his public and private utterances lie
continues TO hold an absolutely uncompro-
missing attitude up>n these points.
Japanese Equally Firm.
All indications from the Japanese side
show also that Baron Komura is equally
firm and that the payment Of the cost OF
the war and the cession of Sakhalin' are
conditions sine qua non. A suggestion Is