The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-27
A DECISION
 ON THE JUMP Conferences First Session
 to Be Definite. GOING QUICKLY TO WORK Japan'S Demands Will Be
 Made Plain. One "Essential" Is to Be Indemnity of nillion Dollars-The Plenipoten-
 tiaries' Meeting About
 August 5.

Washington. July 26.-Whether there is to be peace in the Far East or a continuance of the war will be practi- cally decided at the first business meeting of the Washington conference which will convene at the navy yard, Portsmouth. N. H.. about August 5.
 Baron Komura will. on that occa- sion, communicate to M Wttte the es- sentials of Japan's peace terms for further negotiations. This. 1t Is de- defiance: indeed. there are many evil dences in the possession of the neutral governments that Japan Is coming to the Washington conference not imbued with a desire to humiliate Russia. but only to exact terms which will insure a lasting peace in the Far East and which will in a measure compensate Japan for the financial losses in the present conflict.
 Throughout the preliminary nego- tiations, however. Japan has made 1t clear at Washington that she wished to avoid unnecessary tedious negotia- tions. We are not going to the con- ference to write into the law of na- tions a new chapter" said a high Jap anese offcial recently. For this req son the Japanese plenipotentiaries will adopt the program of at once laying on the conference table those terms the acceptance of which without modifi- cation they are instructed to insist up- on as a basis for further negotiations
 Although guarding with great care the ofYicial statement of her terms. Ja- pan has not kept from several friend ly governments the general character of these terms. Oficial Washington has been enabled to form within cer- tain limits e general idea of their character. It is known that Japan will demand an indemnity that will approximately cover the cost of the war to date. This was communicated to Russia early in the preliminary me- gotiations. The amount still is se- cret but it is based upon the most care full estimates of the cost of the war and will be accompanied by q more or less detailed statement showing the method by which, the final figures were computed. It will not fall short of $1, ,00o. GOO, 900. according to advices reaching here from we'll informed sources.
 The Other Essentials.
 Besides the indemnity it Is believed Japan's other essentials to the contin- uance of the negotiations are the ces- sion to Japan of the island of Sakha- lin, of the Lilo Tung peninsula and of the railway as far as Harbin: the rec ognition of Japan's predominating in nuence in Korea and the return of Manchuria to China.
 If the Russian plenipotentiarfes are prepared to accep trnese essentials. the officials here are confident that the basis will be laid for negotiations sure to lead to the signing of the treaty of washin gton, bringing peace in the Far East.
 As for the subjects remaining to be discussed, a tedious one. 1t Is believed. and one on which Russia will be dis posed to negotiate with the greatest precaution. is the program for the res toration of Manchuria to Chinese con trol. Because of the confusion and general disorder likely to ensue in the armies, Japan believes that a certain time will be required in which to re- store order and the establishment of a regular system of Chinese police.
 During this period Japan will insist that she remain in control of the ad- ministration of the province. at the same time giving definite pledge finally to evacuate as soon as China shall be in a position to take up the reins of Government there and main tain order. It is believed the policy to be suggested by Japan in this matter will not be unlike that followed by the Washington Government with reference to Cuba. troops being withdrawn from the island as soon as stable government was in control of the situation.
 Russta's Interned ships.
 A second question to be settled will be the surrender of all the Russian ships now interned In neutral ports. Some are inclined to believe that de-
 t- .f ktola while others claim ground for believ- ing that Russia may induce Japan to take these in part payment of the in demnity. Europe believes Japan will demand the naturalization of Vladivos- tok The washington Government does not share in this belief. Ineed, In of- fcial circles here the statement is made without hesitation that such a demand would not be moderate" or reason able" and 1t Is known that Russia will not permit the subject of vladivostok to come before the conference. Rather than submit to Japan's dietation on this point, Russia has let 1t be known that she wouldt certainly continue the war.
 Little progress has been made In the direction of an armistice. London has not seen its way clear to aid the Presi- dent to this end and Japan has indi- cated It's unwillingness to consent to armi9ttce uutlI have met the Russians in the confer ence.
 The object of this. 1t is now explained in an authoritative quarter. Is because Japan wishes to be assured that Rus sia is prepared 10 negotiate for peace before the Japanese commanders yield any of their advantages in the field or give the Russians time to Increase the forces at the front. Information has reached here. however. that the Presi- dent has not ceased his efforts in this direction, and 1t is believed that fin case Baron Komura goes to Oyster Bay in advance of this formal presentation. 1t will be for the purpose of discussing this phrase of the negotiations. Some doubt is expressed by diplomats. how ever. about such a visit and 1t Is the opinion of more than one diplomat that should 1t take place etiquette will re- oI,ire A similar informal visit by M. witte before the formal joint reception of the plenipotentiaries and their pre- sentation by the President to each other.