The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-22
Rift in the War Clouds
Seems Closing.
NO SIGNS OF YIELDING
The Offer OF the President to Serve
as Mediator Appears to Have Fall
en- Flat. Cord Of Negotiations
Expected to Snap
Today.
Oday.
(By the Associated Press.)

portsmouth, y. H.. Aug. Z1.-bOll
the Russians and Japanese have
finished the preparation of the proto-
coils to be submitted at the meeting
of the conference tomorrow. The
feature of the protocols is the pre-
sentation of the reasons advanced by
both sides for the diversion of views
upon the articles upon which no
agreement was reached. on article
:. the cession of Sakhalin, the Japa-
neSe claim that they are entitled to
the island as we'll as by reason of then
national rights to its possessions, as
because of its present occupation by
the japanese forces. The Russians, on
the contrary. insist that up to 1850
Japan had never claimed any right to
Sakhalin and at that time only %
unmarried Japanese lived i'm the south
of the island during the fishing season.
The negotiations between Russia and
Japan started in 1855 and continued
for twenty years. ending with the
treaty of 1875, by which the soVer-
eighty of Russia over the whole island
was recognized
With regard to article 9, the Japane
claim endorsement for the expenses
of the war on the ground that they
were forced by RuSSia's aggressions to
and having been victorious at all
points on sea and land are entitled to
reimbursement. Russia. on the con-
trary denies absolutely that Japan is
in a position to dictate such con-
dition. as Russia docs ~' acknowledge
defeat and appeared at the conference
not imploring mercy, but because of
her love of peace and her willingness
to conclude on an honorable basis.
Russia declares that a claim for in
domnity under the circumstances is
unprecedented ana reviews the his
torical occasions where indemnity was
raised in support of her contentious.
The protocol also states that Russian
throughout her history has never paid
a war indemnity. not even when Ma
poIeon The Great invaded the Musco-
Vite empire il 1Sn2 and occupied
Moscow.
With regard to article 10 Ghe in
termed warships) Japan insists that
the surrender Of informed warships
which have sought refuge in neutral
ports. as a SPOIL of war IS not con-
trary to international law.
Russia however, asserts that in
ternational law affords no precedent
for a claim for the possession of prop
erty i'm the safc-keeping of neutrals.
Finally. with regard to article Ii
(thC limitation of the Russian naval
power i'm the Far EasO the Japanese
assert that il is indispensable to secure
a lasting peace. Russia rejects the
whole idea as being offensive to Rus
sian honor and dignity. While de-
CininC. however. to place such an ar
ticlc in treaty she is willing To make
declaration that she has no intention
of attempting TO threaten the naval pO-
sition of Japan or of any other power
in the Far East.
AIiIitary Value of SakhaIin.
The following statement from an
authoritative source represents the
Russian view of the military and
strategic value of the Island of
Sakhaiin:
ITO appreciate its military value it
must be borne in mind that the
island. which is about six hundred
miles long, lies almost against the
mainland being separated from ii by
the Straight of Tartary, which i'm some
cases is only four miles wide. Physi-
cally it might almost be considered a
part of the Asiatic continent. To al
low Sakhalin TO pass into the hands
of Japan would he like America al
lowing Long Island or England allow
ing the Isle OF Wight TO pass into the
possession of an ambitious power. The
danger from Sakhalin passing to
Japan would indeed be greater for
Russia than the loss of Long Island
by America. as the length of Long
Island is scarcely one-ninth that of
SakhaIin, There is no doubt that
whoever controls Sakhalin. besides be
ing in n position TO threaten and in
wade the ASiatiC coast. would be i'm
position absolutely To prevent coz.
munication between the mainland and
the Pacific through the Sea of Japan"