Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-07-27
Baron KoMURA SAYS WAR WILL
END WHEN PEACE CONFER
ENcE is OVER.
NO FIGHT WITH
UNITED STATES


War Over the Philippines and Says
Mikado's Government Would Not
Accept the Islands as a Gift, Even
With a Bonus.
New York, July 26.-That japan will
demand an indemnity of Russia in the
negotiations for peace and that the
war will be declared at an end at the
conclusion of the negotiations at Ports
mouth, N. H., next month is the belief
of Baron Komura, head of the Japan
ese peace delegation, as voiced by
Amor Sato, who is the official spokes-
man for the baron on this mission Mr..
Sato in an interview last night, said:
81 am confident that peace will be
successfully negotiated by the ap-
pointed delegations. The Japanese
will be guided by moderation, and no
excessive demands will be made, but
the sentiment in Japan and Russia is
for peace and in the interests of hui
manity there must be peace.
"The cost to Japan, however, has
been very great The loss on both
sides has been $4,000 men, Russia los
ing $4,000 of these. The war is cost
ing Japan $1,oOo,oo0 day, and there
is feeling that there ought to be an
indemnity"
Asked as to the probability of an
armistice Mr.. Sato said that probably
1t would be among the first questions
the plenipotentiaries would consider.
Basing the form of the negotiations on
previous treaty negotiations, Japan
will make the demands for Russia's
consideration, he said.
The "open Door,"
Mr.. Sato said that while desire
for peace was the sentiment of Japan
it was not desire for peace at any
price.
Japan is in a very prosperous con-
dition at present" he said, "and the
war taxes do not fall heavily upon
the people yet. There has already
been subscribed $250,0O0,000 to new
international loan, and our prosperity
is further indicated in the success of
our foreign loans
AS to Japan's attitude toward
America, Mr.. Sato laughingly asked:
You mean the yellow peril?" and
then became more enthusiastic in his
conversation than upon any previous
topic. He said:
1--WE are almost boyish in our en-
thusiasm and friendship for America
While we are friendly with China as
Orientals, our greatest friends are
Americans and Englishmen Why,
the first monument ever erected to
any foreigner in japan was that to
Commodore Perry and the policy and
conduct of the American people for
the last fifty years has been one of
help to us. We regard America as an
ally without a treaty."
The question was put to Mr.. Sato
as to any possibility of conflict with
the United States in the future. as
press at the outbreak of the war, and
Mr. Sato asked what could bring
about such conflict When 1t was
suggested that Japan might covet the
Philippine Islands, he laughed heartily
and replied that Japan would not have
the Philippines as gift, even though
bonus accompanied the gift.
Terms of Peace.
The peace terms, while held inviola-
Bile by those who knew their text
were formulated by the Emporer OF
Japan and his council Mr.. Sato was
asked that if in the flush Of victory
the Japanese people would not feel
entitled to more than any treaty would
allow, and Mr.. Sato said:
The Japanese are not so gentle as
to abide by any decision we may
make, but they pay great respect to
the Offices of President Roosevelt
and his acts have done a great deal
to emphasize the need for peace
Mr.. Sato further said that the Japa
nese would prefer to have the negoti
ations in the English language as
neither Baron Komura nor himself
speaks French. The matter, however
would be settled after President
Roosevelt had met the two reperesen.
tatives.
AS to the attitude Of Japanese mem.
bers toward the Russian delegates Mr.
Sato said:
1--WE admire M. Witte and Baron
Rosen. The announcement Of M
Whites appointment to the peace
party was more welcome to us than
that of any other person could have
been. We recognize him as a great
statesman"
OF the future of China, Mr. sato
said: 'If the central government
could work in harmony with the dis
trict or provincial governments China
would become a great power, but at
present that seems to be impossible =
Japan's attitude toward China was
most friendly, said Mr.. Sato, and
while. maintaining no moral Monroe
doctrine over the empire she felt that
1t was more or less under Japans
protection. This protection. by way