The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-14
ARTICLE |.
Japan's Demand Regarding
Korea Is Disposed Of.
Article 2 to Be Taken Up After
Luncheon.
RUPTURE EXPECTED.
Each Side Will Try to Fix
Blame on the Other.
Utmost Good Feeling Prevails
Among the ENJOYS.
UPTURE EXPECTED.

Portsmouth, N. H, Aug. 1.-THE fol-
lowing official statement was issued at
1:SO: In the morning sitting of the
fourteenth of August, article first was
disposed of and the plenipotentiaries
proceeded with the discussion of article
two. The meeting adjourned at 1 o'clock
to be resumed at o'clock
The sitting of the peace ENJOYS was
resumed this morning under ideal
weather conditions. The excessive heat
wave, which has almost driven the for
eigners to distraction during the first
days of the conference was broken by
yesterdays storm and after good
nights rest the plenipotentiaries and
members of their encourage, appeared
bright and cheerful this morning. The
change in the weather affected their
tempers and as they looked out across
the ripping bay, dotted with green is
lands, and shining white yachts, the
usual exclamation was How charm
ing"
Baron Konura and Mr.. Takahira both
appeared in frock coats. They entered
their motor cars shortly after 9 o'clock,
smiling and bowling to the hotel guests,
who were already on the veranda to
witness their departure. Three min
uteS later Mr.. Witte and Baron Rosen
came out. A little crowd collected. So
cool was it that Mr.. Witte wore light
oVercoat.
Both smilingly greeted the assemblage
of guests which was awaiting them.
The secretaries of the respective mis-
Sions had left a few minutes before the
principals, the Japanese in a tally-ho,
the Russian in a launch. The confer
ence began at $50, and the discussion
being resumed on the questions relating
to the status of Korea. Mr.. Witte con-
tinued to urge that the language of the
clause should explicitly show what he
contended was the true japanese inten-
| ton regarding the Hermit Kingdom,
namely to make of it a province of
| Japan.
Before proceeding to business the en-
voys were photographed in their posi-
| tions around the council table in the
main room.
Rupture Still Expected
Among the delegates of the respec-
tive sides who remained at the hotel
today it was insisted that each side
treaty of peace, and it is evident If
there was a rupture, as the best in
formed believe there will be, each side
will maneuver to place the response
bility on the other. The Japanese
seem disposed to throw out the inti-
nation that M. Witte is trying to wear
out his adversaries and compel them
to break off the negotiations. This
information is Indignantly repudiated
by the Russians, who contend, as does
their principal, that Russia is ready
| and willing to have the fullest pub
| ficity given to the proceedings in or
der that the world may judge be-
tween them. 1t will be several days
at the present rate before either of the
crucial points of difference is reached.
The exact order of the conditions is
not yet known, but it is practically GER
tain that the demand for reimburse
ments for the expenses of the war
precedes that for the cession of SAX
halin.
Relentless methods are behind the
Japanese system in the peace negotia-
! tions as in their military and naval
operations. When they formulated
their conditions of peace the origin of
the whole struggle between Russia
and Japan was kept steadily in view.
Korea, which was the real bone of
contention, Korea, first the subject of
an agreement in 1895, Korea which
formed the basis of the request for
! the negotiations preceding the war,
comes first. Second, it is safe to say,
| is the evacuation of Manchuria, the
continued occupation by which Rus
| STA Japan claims, threatened the in
dependence of Korea and safety of
| Japan. In support of this claim she
| took a leaf out of the book of argu-
ments used by Russia in 1895 when
she was compelled by Russia, support
ed by France and Germany, to aban-
! don the Liaotung peninsula and the
Shimonoseki treaty, on the very
ground that the possession of Port
| Arthur and Liaotung threatened Ko-
reas independence.
Japan's Main Objects.
] These are the two main objects de-
| signed to protect the safety of
Japan for which Japan has fought.
Then might come logically Port Ar
thur and the Liaotung leases, to satisfy
1 xxrl,i Ia n
anese nation felt on account of being
| despoiled, as they claimed, of the
fruits of their victorN over China in
1895 The question of the Chinese
Eastern railroad might come next
| And then before the 'sDoils of war,
Japan's bill for the "cost of the war"
The only reason why the cession of
Sakhalin is demanded is that Japan
has always felt that the island belonged
to her by right of discovery and con-
quest and that she had been compelled,
when too weak to defend her rights,
| to yield it to her adversary.
! The morning session came to an end
at 1880 O'Clock. At that time the ses-
sion was adjourned and the envoys and
members of their suites repaired to the
lunch room.
Preparation for luncheon was begun
at the naval stores building shortly
| before noon, indicating that session of
the peace conference will continue this
afternoon.
There is an entire absence of for
maIfty to partaking of refreshments
! in the lunch room, which is across the
hall from the general conference room.
| The envoys have several times sat
down together at the lunch table,
| while the members of the Russian and
Japanese suites have mingled freely
| on those occasions. Secretary Pierce
joins the lunch party also, as does his
assistants in the quarters which the
United States government is maintain
Irrs1