The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-08-17
PEACE OUTLOOK
MORE HOPEFUL
Although Russia Refuses to Discus
Indemnity or Session Of Sakhal1n.
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES AT WORK

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 14.-No
progress has been made with the peace
negotiations over Sunday. The sttua-
ton therefore remains the same. It
would perhaps not be too much to say
that the general feeling Is more hope
full in spite of open predictions made
by personages connected with both
sides of the negotiations that before
next Saturday the plenipotentiaries
will reach an impasse where q rupture
will become inevitable. This pessimis-
tic view is based upon the fact that
SO far as known the two big barriers
to an agreement-indemni and SAX
halin-remain as high and insur-
mountable as ever.
The real struggle is only postponed.
The main problems are no nearer 80
luton than when the plenipotentiaries
met. The principal reason for optt-
mism lies in the fact that, confronted
with the absolute refusal Of the Rus
sian reply to admit the discussion of
either indemnity or the cession of the
Island of Sakhalin, the japanese pro-
pose to take up the consideration OF
the conditions seriatim. From this 1t
Is assumed that the Japanese are pre-
pared to yield of have reason to be-
! liece a way will be found to overcome
| the objections OF their adversaries
when the crucial test comes.
An intimation comes from high
source that very strong outside In
| fluences are at work on both sides
| and that for the moment the effort is
to gain time The plan of having Rus
sia practically satisfy Japan's claim
| of reimbursement for the cost OF the
war by the purchase OF the japanese
| military evacuation of Sakhalin con
tinues to be advanced. Such q solution
/ would permit Russia to say she had
| paid neither indemnity nor ceded 3
foot of territory.
Japan's Other Demands.
The other terms include the follow
ing
The cession of the Russian lease!
|
Port Arthur and Dalny.
The evacuation OF the entire prov
ince of Manchuria.
The retrocession to China of an.
privileges Russia may have In tn
province, and the recognition by Rus
sia of the principle OF the "open door.
The cession to Japan OF the Chimes
Eastern Railroad below HarD!2, tn
main line through Northern Manchu
ria to Vladivostok to remain Russia1
property.
The recognition of the Japanese Pre-
tectorate over Korea.
The grant of fishing rights to Japal
) In the waters Of the Siberian Littora
northward from Vladivostok to tn
Behring sea.
The REIMBURSEMENT to Japan of tn
Russian warships interned in neutra
ports.
Finally, a limitation upon the navs
strength of Russia in Far Eastern We
ters.
The debate in the conference owe
the first cOndition-the recognition
Japan's "preponderating influence
over Korea, involving her right to col
troll the administration Of the Hern,
Kingdom use the littOral for STRATEGY
purposes. etc-was OF remarkaDl
character. Indeed, the position take
by Mr.. Witte was sensat onal In Tn
| extreme. His attitude reveals plainl
the Russian tactics. They propose
: raise before the world the spectre
the "yellow peril" Russia's claim
that Japan's present purpose is to g
foothold on the Asiatic contineI
from which to extend her lnn"enf
and dominion.
Mr.. Witte made no objection, but b
declared the words "preponderat'n
influence" did not adequately descr!t
what Japan proposed to do. snd ne
sist ID that the language used shou
show Japan's true purpose-Wh1cn
- contended was to make Japanes
l province OF Korea. His argume1
might he summarized as follows:
Russia has no objection to Japs
taking Korea, but you must avow
nlainly. If it is to be taken, 1t shou
he taken officially, so that the wor
will understand your purpose to TAI
possession OF the persons of the enti
administration of the kingdom. fro
the emperor down to the smallest
the people Korea will have no repi
sentative abroad who can explain q
situation from the standpoint OF q
Koreans. All of which means kor
Is to belong to Japan. So be It, Russ
will not object, but Japan should ave
a purpose which is against the int'
ests of Europe and America-esl
cially against the interests OF I
United States. China and even yo
ally England. If this is satisfactory
Europe and America, Russia raises
u nrotest You propose to destroy eve
yestige of the sovereignty OF the
,eror of Korea, but you desire to
"a n,ov a formula which will conceal yc
. true purpose. The country which v
.uf,er most is America, which Will
. derstand II IN about 10 years when
Q is too late.
81 To this argument Baron kom'
di.sented most vigorously, although
. the most friendly planner, contendl
that Japan only sought to secure
. h.rse,f in Korea the commercfai q
industrial position to which she '
. entitled and to aid in Its civlilzat
and Development as well AZ 70 pFo'
. the kingdom from Administrative
archy.