The Springfield herald., 1905-08-18
JAPAN's PEACE TERMS
RUSSIA MUST PAY COST OF WAR
Must Give Up All Authority In Man.
churia, Recognize Open Door, Re-
linquish Saghalin, Grant Fish
ing rights and Limit
Naval Force.

Portsmouth, n. H., Aug. 1.-Reim-
bursement for the expenses sustained
in the prosecution of the war and the
cession of the island of Saghalin con-
stitute the main features of the peace
conditions handed by Baron komura
to NJ. Witte at the conclusion of the
morning session of the plenipotenti-
aries yesterday.
The word Indemnity" is carefully
avoided, the word employed being re
endorsement for the cost Of the war.
No sum is fixed, the amount being dis
tinctly adjourned for mutual ADJUST
ment between the two countries after
the Japanese expenditure has been as
certained. These are the two al,-im-
portant conditions and those which
the Russian plenipotentiaries find alb
solutely unacceptable.
Unacceptable as they are, however,
it can be stated that these two princi-
pal conditions did not come as a sur
prise to the Russian plenipotentiaries.
The friendly fashion in which
Baron Komura explained the condi-
tions before handing them to NJ. Witte
and the avoidance of the use of the
word Indemnity" in the presentation
of Japan's bill for the cost of the war.
without fixing a sum, leaves the way
open for negotiations and constitutes
the main hope that a final agreement
is possible.
Certainly the danger of a sudden
rupture. no matter what the ultimate
result may be. is precluded by yester-
days developments.
The other terms are substantially
what the world expected and with one
or perhaps two exceptions could prob.
ably be entertained as basis of nego.
tiations. They include the following:
The cessation of the Russian leasea
to the Lao Tung peninsula, compris
ing Port Arthur and Dalny.
The evacuation of the entire prov
ince of Manchuria, the retrocession to
China of any privileges Russia may
have in the province and the recogni-
tion by Russia of the principle of the
open door"
The cession to Japan of the Chinese
Eastern railway below Harbin. the
main line through northern Man
churia to Vladivostok to remain Rus
sian property.
The recognition of the Japanese pro-
tectorate over Korea.
The grant of fishing rights in Siberia
northward from Vladivostok.
The REIMBURSEMENT to Japan of the
Russian warships interned in neutral
ports. Finally, limitation in the ma
val strength of Russia in far eastern
waters
AS whole the terms are regarded
as exceeding hard by the Russians. In
addition TO the two principal condi-
tions, which cannot be accepted under
Mr.. Witte's instructions, those relating
TO the limiting of Russian naval power
in the far east and the granting of
fishing rights upon the Russian litterol
are considered particularly offensive to
:he amour propre of their country and
be inadmissible.
The Japanese on the contrary, as
Baron komura announced at the con-
ference to-day. consider them moder-
ate. contending that they only repre-
sent fair compensation for the eX-
penses OF the war and the victories
they have achieved on land and sea,
their sole purpose being to attain the
objects for which they have fought.
the spoils claimed being only such as
they are legitimately entitled to as
the result Of their military and naval
successes.
The Russian plenipotentiares, as
soon as the Japanese terms were in
their hands. called five expert dele
gates attached to the mission and
spent the whole afternoon in the con.
sideration of the terms. Meantime the
conditions had been placed in cipher
and cabled TO the czar with NJ. Whites
personal recommendations.