The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-08-18
ENJOYS Agree ON
THREE ARTICLES

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. I5.-Al.
though very rapid progress was made
with the peace negotiations Monday,
three of the IL articles which consti-
tute the Japanese conditions of peace
having been agreed to by Nj. Witte
and Baron Rosen on behalf of Russia,
neither of the two articles to which M.
Nitte, in his reply returned an abso-
lutte negative, was reached. The crisis,
therefor, is still to come. 1t may be
reached Tuesday, as the cession of SAX
balm comes fifth in the list. The three
PARTICLES found" as they are officially
designated in the brief communications
authorized to be given to the press.
which were disposed of Monday are, in
substance, as follows:
Fisrt.- Russia's recognition of Jap
aus "preponderating influence" and
special POSITION in Korea, which Rus
STA henceforth agrees it is outside of
her sphere of influence, Japan binding
herself to recognize the suzeranity of
the reigning family, but with the right
prove the civil administration of the
empire.
Second. Mutual obligation to evac-
uate Manchuria, each to surrender all
special privileges in that province,
mutual obligation to respect the "ter-
ritorial integrity" of China and to
maintain the principle of equal oppor-
tunity for the commerce and industry
of all nations in that province. (The
open door,
Third. The cession to China of the
Chinese Eastern railway from Hardin
southwark.
There was never any question about
the acceptance on the part of M. Witte
of these articles, the first two covering,
in more emphatic form, the contention
of Japan in the diplomatic struggle
which preceded hostilitles.
The cession of the railroad, the
buildin Of which cost Russia an i'm
mense sum, estimated by some at be-
tween 800, ZOO, 900 and 5000, 900 900,
is to 60 to China. Japan and China,
therefore, arrange between themselves
the method by which the former is to
be renumerated, and through this
financial operation Japan might have
considerable portion of her claim for
the "expnses of the war" liquidated.
The railway is ostensibly the property
of the Russo Chinese bank, although
built by government money advanced
through the bank and since its compile
ton operated, managed and protected
by the Russian government.
Japan can not take the railroad her
self. To place herself in Russia g shoes
regarding the railroad would be mill
tarily to control the destines of the
three provinces of Manchuria which
she has promised to return to China.
But Japan is entitled to reimburse.
ment for the expense to which she has
been put to in restoring the railroad be
low the present position Of Linevitch' &
army, rebuilding the bridges and mar.
rowing the gage. If China couldn to
find the money some other power or
powers might do so and the road would
become hypothecated to the powers
which advanced the money, as other
Chinese roads are to those who adj
vanced the money for their contsrution.
1t was M. Witte himself who organ.
lied the Russo-Chinese bank in 1895
and who has always been considered
the real organizer of the Chinese East.
ern company. Mr.. Berg, the attorney
of the Russo Chinese bank which owns
practically all Of the shares of the
road, is attached to the Russian mis-.
sion.
1t seems to be taken for granted
among the attaches of both the Japan.
csc and Russian missions that there
will be no general battle in Manchuria
while the peace negotiations are on.
Oyama is prepared to strike the mo.
ment the negotiations fail. and there
may be more or less outpost engage.
ments while the troops are getting in
position, but it is admitted on each side
if either Oyama or Lnievitch should
deliberately bring on a general engage.
mert, which might cost SO, 900 or 1OO,-
600 lives, his county would be accused
Of bad faith in the negotiations here,
and would inevitably lose prestige in
the eyes Of the world.