The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-28
BRIGHT OUTLOOK
FOR PEACE TODAY
Japanese Make Substantial Con-
cessions in Matter Of
Money.
AMOUNT REQUIRED
WILL BE ARBITRATED
And Will Appear as Russia S Pur-
chase of the North Half of
Saghalien.

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 28.-The
Associated Press has definite knowledge
that several days ago President Roose-
welt was authorized on behalf of Japan
to waive all claim for indemnity Of re-
endorsement for the cost of the war,
and to cede back to Russia the north
half of Saghalien' island, leaving the
redemption price Of this half of the
island to- the arbitration of a mixed
commission.
This statement was transmitted to
the Russian emperor thru the American
ambassador at st. Petersburg.
. Not Understood by Gear.
An Associated Press telegram an
nounced that the czar's reply was "par-
TALLY responsive
There is reason to believe that this
proposition on behalf of Japan was not
clearly understood at Peterhof, but was
supposed to be revival of the effort Of
Japan to secure an indemnity under the
guise of purchase.
Arbitration is Possible.
It is believed the conference which
Witte and Takahira was for the pur-
pose of clearing up the situation, and
it is now not improbable that following
the precendent of it's ally, Great Brit
ain, Japan will agree to settle the whole
question Of the redemption, price. of
Saghalien as the Dogger bank disputes
We're adjusted. -
The Japanese contention is that Sag
halien island is de facto Japanese terri
| tory, and that Russia has no means at
| her command for it's present recovery.
It is understood that Mr.. Witte has
accepted this view in principle, and
| expressed the judgment that Russia
l I'll L. Il l,,., -
| redemption money. It is believed that
the Toxic council which is in session
this morning is considering this phase
| Of the question.
| How the President Has Proceeded.
| Emperor Nicholas reply to Ambassa-
: dor Meyer last week was of such ma
| ture as to preclude another tentative
| proposal in that direction alone. Later
the way might be open, but for the mo-
| ment to offer new advice in the face Of
| what practically amounted to an ultl..
matum from the car on the subject OF
| indemnity. might be to court rebuff.
Representations at Toxic would per-
haps not constitute change in the
president 8 attitude. Heretofore he
| has not acted as mediator, but as the
head Of state fri endly to both parties,
rendering his good offices and friendly
advice -impartially and simultaneously
to both.
| The president took good care that
this should be distinctly understood.
The compromise he suggested to Peter
hof, he suggested simultaneously to To-
! kio 1t would seem more probable,
therefore, that the president has not at
tempted to influence directly the ques-
tion Of Japan s response to the fiat re-
fusal Of Russia to pay anything IN the
| shape of indemnity.
| All eyes turn to Toxic, where the
momentous question is being and in
deed, perhaps, already has been, decid-
| ed. The result of the meeting OF the
cabinet and elder statemen today was
awaited with feverish anxiety.
Views of the ENJOYS.
Mr.. Witte frankly expresses skepti..
Japan may be able to offer. He does
not believe Japan will withdraw entire
| " her demand for reimbursement fol
! the expenses of the war, and to scale II
! down or attempt to disguise it in an
other form, he declares, would moi
change the situation.
Mr.. Takahira is quoted as having re.
piled in the negative when asked It
any modification of the Japanese pro-
posal would touch the question Of in
demnity But such a response may only
have been technical
A Way Out of the Impasse.
! A clear road out Of the imbroglio
by which Japan could obtain very
! present declaration can be discerned,
/ if Japan will offer in new proposal
to withdraw the price she places upon
the redemption of the northern half
of the island and place it upon basis,
for instance, such as the president
suggested of determination by mixed
commission.
/ Acceptance by Russia would in turn
involve change upon the part of the
st. Petersburg government. But in
demnity as a stumbling block would
be out of the way and renewed pres
4 sure could properly be put on Emperor
Nicholas.
Mr.. Witte personally, it is believed,
sympathizes with such solution and
would not be averse to a genuine re-
demption, as he recognizes the fact
of possession of the island by Japan
and her claim to reimbursement for its
REIMBURSEMENT.
If the meeting today Of the Toxic
cabinet and elder statesmen under the
some such new proposal, as there
reason to believe it will. the PROPOSE
tion will seem to be so fair that En-
peror< Nicholas could not refuse with
out assuming before the world the re-
sponsibility Of continuing the war.
now absolutely withdraws her bill for
"the cost of the war, ;" the basis Of
.. an accord may be reached. One Of the
chief remaining dangers would un-
doubleday be a false gaging at st. Pc
tersburg Of Japan attitude. The con-
ciliatory spirit Japan displayed in her
compromise proposal of Wednesday, if
now emphasized by a still further re-
cession, is apt to be interpreted at st.
: Petersburg as symptom Of great
: weakness and might only serve to
make the emperor and his advisers at
Peterhof more obdurate.
) The President Is Doubtful.
! San Francisco, Aug. 2S.ss President
} Roosevelt told me that he did not he