The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-25
=onable. He knows Japan.s position

sonabIe- He knows Japan's position
as accurately as does either of the
Japanese pienipotentiarie>. We dont
believe he viii even ask Us TO weaken
at the last moment and yield. even I'D
save b negotiations. Heartily as the
whole world desires peace, Japan be
lieyes the neutral powers would pre-
fer that war should continue for a year
or even two years longer han that ia
pan for the sake of immediate peace
should make concessions now and be
forced perhaps a decade hence 10 re-
open hostilities."
The plenipotenriaries and members
OF their suites apparently had little to
do To-Day.
Those Of the latter who were not en-
gagged in completing the final drafts
OF the protocol Joined in the festivities
OF this pleasant summer resort. But
when the subject OF the negotiations
was mentioned their answer was al
most invariably pessimistic and some
OF them openly predicted that the end
would come tomorrow.
Baron komura and Mr.. Takahira
came down stairs this afternoon 10 sit
for a photograph in a group of news
n AA1GboIAoIAAA GINA lI'h a@AaA&1s
to be seen no more today. VI. White, in
the morning took occasion 10 show
himself in the lobby of the hotel as
II to contradict the stories that he was
Ill. In the afternoon he and Baron de
Rosen went for a spirit in an automo-
bile.
Both the Russians and Japanese
have finished the preparation of the
nFn~aa2lc 70 la rrrhpasrynI ~ tho rlnaf-
ing of the conference tomorrow. The
feature of the protocols is the pre-
sentation Of the reasons advanced by
both sides for the diversion OF views
upon the articles upon which no agree
ment was reached. On article j, the
cession of Sakhalin. the Japanese claim
that they are entitled TO the island as
we'll by reason of their national rights
to its possession as because Of its pres
ent occupation by japanese forces. The
Russians on the contrary insist that
up to 1856 Japan had never claimed
any riSL~ to ~SakLalin, and at that
time only 25 unmarried japanese lived
in the south of the island during the
fishing season. The negotiations be-
tween Russia and Japan started in
1896. and continued for twenty years,
ending with the treaty of 1875 by
which the sovereignty of Russia over
he whole island was recognized.
With regard to article 8, the .Iapa-
nese claim reimbursement for the ex-
penses of the war on the ground that
they were forced by Russia's agrees
sions to resort to arms for self-preser-
walton and having been victorious at
all points on sea and land are entitled
A@ D--s or h n
trary, denies absolutely that Japan is
in a position to dictate such a Condi-
ton, as Russia does not acknowledge
defeat and appeared at the conference
not imploring mercy but because OF
her love of peace and her Willingness
to conclude OIL an honorable basis.
Russia declares that a claim for in
demnity under the circumstances is
unprecedented, and reviews the hlstor-
ical occasions where indemnity was
paid in support of her contentious. The
protocol also states that Russia,
throughout her history has paid
a wal indemnity, not even when Napo-
leon The Great, invaded the Musco-
vite Empire in 1912, and occupied
Moscow.
With regard to Article 10 (the in
termed WarSn1pS), Japan 1nslsts lHaL
the surrender of interned warships
which have sought refuge in neutral
ports, as a spoil of war, is mo- con-
t.ary to international law.
Russia, however, asserts that inter-
national law affords no precedent for
q claim FOR the possession of property
in the safe keeping Of neutrals.
Finally with regard to article IL Cne
limitation of the RUSSIAN naval power
in the far easO the Japanese assert
that it is indispensable to insure a
peace. Russia rejects the whole
idea as being offensive to Russian hon.
or and dignity. While declining, how
ever, to place such an article in a
treaty she is willing to make declara-
ton that she las no intention OF at
tempting to threaten the naval position
of Japan or Of any other power in the
far east.