The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-07-29
WILL MEET AUGUST 5
Peace Will be Practically Decided
at First Meeting Of Enjoys.
Japan WILL THEN OFFER TERMS
Friendly Governments Know eener

The Indemnity May Amount TO
$1,000, 100000.
Washington. July p. 49, Whether
there is to be peace in the Far East
or a continuance of the war VIII De
practically decided at the first Dusl-
ness meeting OF the Washington con
ference. which will convene at the
navy ward. Portsmouth. \. H., about
August .. Baron Komura VIII on that
occasion communicate to NJ. Witte the
essentials of Japan's peace terms lor
further negotiations. This, 1t is dc"
rlared. will not be done in spirit OF
defiance. Indeed. there are many eNl-
denceS i'm the possession OF the heu-
iral governments that Japan Is com
inc 10 the Washington conference not
imbued with desire To humiliate Rus
STA but only to exact terms which VIII
insure a lasting peace in the Far East
and which will I'm measure compeh-
safe japan for the financial losses III
the present conflict.
throughout the preliminary negota-
lions however. Japan has made 1t
clear Mt Washington that she wished
10 avoid unnecessarily tedious negotia-
tions.
Although guarding with great care
the official statement of her terms.
Japan has not kept from several
friendly governments the general char
acter Of these terms.
Omcial Washington has been en-
abled to form within certain limits a
general idea of their character.
II Is known that Japan will demand
an indemnity that will approximately
cover the cost of the war to date. This
VAS communicated to Russia early IN
he preliminary negotiations. The
amount is still secret, but il is based
upon the most careful estimates Of the
cost OF the war. and will be accom-
panied by a more or less detailed
statement showing the method by
which the final figures were computed.
II will not fall far short Of slOoO.0OO.-
900 according to advices reaching
here from well informed sources. Be
sides the indemnity. it is believed. ia
pans other essentials 10 the continu-
ance OF the negotiations are the cessiOn
10 Japan of Sakhalien. OF the Lao
Tung peninsula and Of the railway az
far as Hardin: the recognition OF ia
pans predominating influence IN
Korea. and the return of Manchuria TO
China.
If the Russian plenipOtentiaries are
prepared to accept these essentials, the
officials here are confident that the
bases will be laid for negotiations sure
to lead to the signing of the treaty OF
Washington. bringing peace in the Far
East.
As for the subjects remaining 10 be
discussed. a tedious one. it is believed,
and one on which Russia will be dis
posed to negotiate with the greatest
caution Is the program for the restora-
ton of Manchuria to Chinese control
It is believed the policy to be suggested
by Japan in this matter will not be
unlike that followed by the Washing
ton government with reference TO Cuba,
American troops being withdrawn from
the island as soon as a stable govern
ment was in control of the situation.
Europe believes Japan will demand
the naturalization Of VladiyOstOk. The
Washington government does not share
in this belief Indeed, in official circles
here the statement is made without
hesitation that such a demand would
not be moderate" or reasonable" and
1t is known that Russia will not permit
the subject OF Vladivostok to come be
fore the conference. Rather than sub
NIT to Japan's dictatiOn on this point,
Russia has let it be known that she
would certainly continue the war