New-York tribune., 1905-08-14
REAL STRUGGLE TO CONE.
Strong Outside Influences Reported
at WOrk for Peace.
lEv Tn. ssociatsd Pre.-.l


Portsmouth n. H.. Aug 13-No progress has
been made with the peace negotiations over
Sunday They stand exactly where they did
last night. The session of the pIenipotentiariss
which was to have been held this afternoon
vas postponed by mutual agreement. OUT Of
reverence for the sabbath, which is generally
observed in Russia as a day OF rest.
The Russians had not been anxious for a ses-
sion to-day. This morning the Japanese took
the initiative and through the intermediary of
Mr. Peirce it was decided 10 postpone the sitting
until tomorrow morning. The situation there
fore remains the same. 1t would. perhaps not
he too much to say that the general feeling Is
more hopeful in spite of open predictions made
by persons connected with both sides OF the ne
gotations that before next Sunday the pIenI-
potentaries will find the situation such that
rupture will become inevitable. This pessimistic
view is based the belief that the two big bar
Tiers to an agreement-fndemnity and Saghalien
will remain insurmOuntabe as ever.
The real struggle is only postponed The
main problems are no nearer solution than
when the plenipotentiaries met The princi-
pal reason Tor optimism lies in the fact that.
confronted with the absolute refusal in the Rus
sian reply 10 admit the discussion of either in
demnity or the cession of the island of Sag
halter. the Japanese proposed to take up the
this it is assumed that the Japanese are either
prepared 10 yield or have reason 10 believe that
a way will be found to overcome the objections
of their adversaries when the crucial test Is at
hand
An intimation comes from a high source thar
very strong outside influences are at wor;1
both sides and that for the moment the effort Is
to gain time The plan OF having Russia prac-
ticaHv satisfy Japan's claim OF reimbursement
for the cost of the war by the purchase OF the
japanese military evacuation OF Saghalien con-
tinues To be advanced. Such a solution would
permit Russia 10 say she had neither paid In
demnity nor ceded foot Of territory
The fact that the Corean question should he
the first to he discussed seems fitting, as IL was
over Corea that the long struggle began
between Russia and Japan which eliminated In
the war. After Japan was forced out OF Port
Arthur and Liao-Tung. IN 1895 each became
suspicious of the others influence in Corea.
and first in the LobanOff agreement OF 1896 and
later in the Nissi- -ROsen agreement of 1898. they
entered upon mutual obligations In the former
Japan obtained the right To protect the imperial
family and to build the Seoul FNlsan telegraph.
and Russia to establish a telegraph line from
Seoul to the Russian frontier. In the latter.
while there were mutual obligations 10 protect
the independence and territorial integrity es
Corea Japans industrial and commercial posi-
tion I'm Corea was recognized. Ever since Cora
has been the bone of contention Japan has
always been suspicious of Russian encroach-
ment. The continued occupation Of Manchurs
by Russia and the Yalu lumber concessions m
duced Japan 10 try 10 come TO definite settle
ment with Russia in the negotiations preceding
the war They proved futile. and in the i'm
periaI rescript after the action at Chemulpo tn
Emperor Of Japan said
The safety or Corea is in danger The in
terests OF the empire are menaced
Now the fate of Corea comes up a. Ports
mouth for final settlement.