Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1905-08-29
Japan Lifted Out of a
Diplomatic Hole
WAIVER OF INDEMNITY
A Willingness to Submit il TO Arbi-
trasion-Peace Is Imminent Unless
as Feared Russia Wants TO Try AM
other Nanchurian Battle.

Portsmouth, Aug. 2S.-Tomorrow
morning Baron Komura. acting upon
instructions received from Toxic. as
result of today's meeting of the cabi-
net and statesmen, under the direct
presidency of the emperor of Japan.
will submit to NJ. Witte a new basis
of compromise and that compromise,
it is firmly believed tonight, will in
sure peace.
The revelation contained in the AS
sociated Press exclusive announce
ment today that Japan had already in
formed Emperor Nicholas, through
Ambassador Meyer, that Japan was
ready to waive the question of indem-
nifty and submit the price to be paid
for the northern half of Sakhalin to
the Judgment of a mixed commission
opened the way for Japan's backdown
upon the main issue. The announce
ment had been the sensation of the
day. 1t had met with denials high
and low 1t was decided to be impos-
sibIe or incredible. The Japanese de-
clined to affirm it and the Russians
said they had no confirmation. M
Witte intimates strongly that St. Pet
ersburg had not apprised him of any
such action by the president There
was even a disposition to ridicuie the
idea of arbitrating the price of half
of the island. Nevertheless on all
hands, il was admitted that If Japan
took this position the ground was
cut out from under Emperor Nicholas.
NJ. Witte, by consummate skill in
ccnceding all the demands of Japan
involving the real issue of the war had
maneuvered his adversaries into Po-
sition where, unless they abandoned
Tai, ~, he
held responsible for continuing the
war for money. The Japanese are not
foregoing the demand for indemnity.
practically. but they turn the tables
on Russia and shift the burden back
to her shoulders If she does not con-
sent to submit minor issue to the
impartial judgment of a tribunal.
NJ. Witte publicly assents vigorously
from the proposition and there viii
still be a struggle with PeterhOf, but
if the japanese tomorrow agree, TO
formally renounce all claims for direct
or Indirect compensation for the ex-
penses of the war the big stumbling
block to peace is out of the way. Ev-
erything will depend upon the form in
which the proposal is submitted.
Should the renunciation be so coupled
with the other proposition that Rus
sia could claim that it was still only
a disguised demand for tribute, the
gulf might once more be narrowed,
not bridged. All private advices that
reach the Russian mission from St
Petersburg indicate that the military
party is insistent that Linevitch be
given a chance and that the negOtia-
tions be broken off.
NJ. Witte feels the pressure of this
sentiment and as a man of ambition,
he may not feel that he can afford to
lay himself open to the charge that he
is temporizing with the situat ton. He
has power under his instructions tC
reject out of hand any proposition in
volving the payment Of tribute. He
need not consult his imperial master
He is a man of inspiration, and he is
quite capable, if the Japanese PROPOSE
tion savors still of ''blOod money to
refuse even to accept it for transmits
sion to st. Petersburg.
But such a stroke is not expected
NJ Witte knows that public opinion
both in America and I'm Europe as well
as in Russia would condemn him il