The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-22

streets.
Berlin, Feb. 22.-Emperor Nicholas
seems to have decided to request France
to ask the British foreign office to in
quire of Japan what terms might be
expected were Russia to propose peace.
That is to say the preliminary steps
are to be taken by the seconds in the
great duel Of the two nations. Russia
negotiations If Japan's terms are ex-
orbitant.
New York Sun Special Service.
New York, Feb. 22.-Reports Of pos
sible peace terms, agreed upon by the
czar and his advisers, show that Rus
STA is willing now to grant more than
Japan demanded at the outbreak of
the war, but probably not SO much as
Japan would demand if peace negotia-
tions were begun today. Japan g posi-
ton now would warrant larger demands
than at the beginning of the struggle
an Indemnity would meet with opposi,
tion. .~- Pc.
Japan's Antebellum Demands.
Feb. 9, 1904, the day after the wal
began, the Japanese minister at Wash
ington, by his government s authority
publicly renewed the negotiations that
had. failed, presenting Japan's case
against Russia. . =. -.@.
According to this authoritative re
view, Japan proposed a basis Of agree
ment to which she adhered turnout the
negotiations, and which was substan
TALLY as follows. 49,
First-A mutual engagement to respec
the independence and territorial integrit.
of China and Korea.
Second-A mutual engagement to main
tain the principle of equal opportunit.
for the commerce and industry Of all ma
tons in China and Korea.
Third-Reciprocal recognition Of Japan
ting interests in Korea and o
Russia's special interests In Manohuria.
Fourth-Recognition by Russia Of ia
pans exclusive right to give advice am
| assistance to Korea in the interests OF re
| form and good government.
Fifth-An engagement by Russia not t
impede the eventual extension Of the Ko
rean railway to southern Manchuria, 8
as to connect with the East China an
Shain -hai-kwan (Niu- chuang) lines.
Russia made several counter propos
ais, such as that Japan should recoe
nize Manchuria and its shores as bein
outside her sphere of influence. Blu
|
the territorial integrity Of Manchuria.
Japan's Present Position.
Korea is virtually under Japanes
suzerainty.
Allied now with Great Britain, whic
strongly favored Japan s holding POI
Arthur after she captured it frol
China, it would be strange if Japa
should give up Port Arthur, and with
the absolute control Of the Liao-tu
peninsula, after takingveit, the secon
time, at such cost. :, TT
4 Il That Russia would be willing to d.
clare Vladivostok neutral port, wit
an open door, might not be expecte
But this concession is forced by tt
last two concessions she makes, whic
are less in effect than Japan asked i
!, the beginning. She demanded that Ru
STA guarantee the territorial integrit
Of all Manchuria, not merely as f;
north as Hardin. Besides, with tt
southern branch of the Eastern Oh
nese railway (the 600-mile section ru
ming from Hardin to Port ARTHUR
Japan's control, and with the Easter
Chinese railway (the 500-milo divisi(
Of the Trans-Siberian railway in Ma
churia), itself under neutral internatio
al administration, Vladivostok would
useless to Russia either as fortress
as a port closed to other nations. Al
in generously giving UP the Eastern CT