The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-17
Russians About to Quit.

Russians About to Quit.
So far as the Russians are concerned,
there is not man in the encourage
who does not think he will be sailing
for home some day next week and that
the war will go on-for time at least.
The Russians have so skilfully ma
neuvered their conference that they
now have Japan exactly in the posi-
tion they desire for purposes Of iusti-
fcation Of their claims. before the
world. -
81 They have conceded to Japan every
thing that Japan claimed before the
war. They are now in position to say
that, having given Japan all She has
asked before she began hostilities, If
Japan demands anything further it will
be fight for blood money. Russia s
contention is that Russia has spent as
much money and sacrificed as many
lives as Japan has done; that Japan
began the war prematurely, and as all
the conditions are favorable to Japan,
there is no reason why Japan should
not conclude peace. f
No Prospect Of Peace.
There is at this writing no fair pros
pect of peace, but the proposition has
the ENJOYS settle ten of the disputed
questions, leaving the cession of Sag
halien island and the indemnity un-
settled and completing treaty to this
point, the home governments OF the two
countries may reach an understanding
on these points even after the confer
ence here has adjourned in deadlock.
There is no reason to think, from the
attitude of the Russians or from their
conversations, that they will recede
from their positions of not granting an
indemnity and of ceding no territory.
Mr.. Witte said today the negotia.
this week or by Monday of next week.
The Japanese will say nothing. They
have said nothing since they have been
in Portsmouth. It is known, however,
that they have not entirely given up
the idea of getting treaty, however
certain the Russians may be that the
war must continue.
What Was Done Yesterday.
Sections 7 and Of the Japanese
terms were completed yesterday. Sec
ton was agreed to in principle and
section 8 was adopted unanimously. Mr..
section Z is that the terms as stated
by Japan are correct, but that the
phraseology must be adjusted to suit
what the Russians claim are tho cx-
igencies Of the situation. Both Of these
sections refer to the railroads. Sec
ton z deals with the entire Chinese
Eastern railroad, and section with
the specific control of that part of the
railroad from Harb bin to Port Arthur.
shall control the railroad from Port
Arthur to within ten miles Of Harbll
and that the Russians shall Lavo lin
tied control Of the railroad straight
across to Vladivostok. THIS will give
Russia access to Vladivostok. but IT
is expected that policing will be done
by Chinese, and it is known that Japan
Recess Before Crisis.
After the final four sections have
been discussed and disposed of, it is
the expectation there will be an ad
journment for a time, to enable the en-.
voys to communicate their exact posi-
tions to the home governments. They
will state that of the twelve demands
of Japan, ten have been satisfactorily
adjusted, and it will remain to be seen
what position Japan ;t and Russia VII
cession Of Saghalien and the payment
of an indemnity.
It is confidently expected by both
the Russians that the Japanese will re
fuse to recede from their position. II
this is the case, the war will continue
unless the Russians, from some pres
sure greater than any in evidence now
decide an indemnity must be paid and
agree to throw in Saghalien to the
Japanese.
The Russians are frank about thei,
position. They say they will never
grant an indemnity or cede territory
This opinion is unanimous and comes
so strongly from st. Petersburg that il
is believed here the Russians are honest
in what they say.
Japs Buy Arms In Germany.
Berlin, Aug. 1.-THE Japanese gov
eminent is negotiating with The
Krupps for fresh orders Of armor plate
and gums. Director Eccius Of tn,
Krupp firm is here arranging the con
tracts with the Japanese agents.