Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-08-14
Terms SUBMITTED.
KOMURA HANDS IMPORTANT DOC.
UMENT To WITTE.
Reimbursement for War Expenses
and CeSSiOn:tOf Sakhalin Island
Russians Would Probably AC.
Cept All the others.

Cepf All the others.
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. lire
imbursement for the expenses sustain.
ed in the prosecution Of the war and
the cession of the island of Sskhalin
constitute the main features of the
peace conditions handed by Baron
Komura to NJ. Witte at the conclusion
of the morning session of the ENJOYS
in the general stores building of the
Portsmouth navy yard.
| The word indemnity" was careful.
ly avoided, the term applied being
rein bursement" for the cost of the
war. No sum is fixed, the amount be-
ing distinctly withheld for mutual ad-
justment between the two countries af
ter the Japanese expenditures have
been ascertained.
Unacceptable to Russia.
There are two all.important condi-
tions and those the Russian ENJOYS find
absolutely unacceptable. 1t can be
stated, however, that these two princi-
pal conditions did not come as sur.
prise to the Russian plenipotentiaries.
The friendly fashion in which Bar
on Komura explained the conditions
before handing them to NJ. Witte,
and to avoid expression Of the word
indemnity" in the presentation Of
without fixing a sum, leaves the way
open for negotiations and constitutes
the main hope that final agreement
is possible. Certainly the danger Of
sudden rupture, no matter what the
ultimate result may be-, is preculded
by the days developments.
Other Terms In Detail.
The other terms are substantially
what the world expected, and, with
one or two exceptions, could probably
be entertained as basis of negotia.
tions. They include the following:
The cession of the Russian leases to
the Liactung peninsula, comprising
Port Arthur and Dalny.
The evacuation of the entire prov
ince Of Manchuris.
The retrocession to China Of any
privileges Russia may have in the
province and the recognition by Russia
Of the principle of the "open door"
The cession to Japan of the Chinese
Eastern railway below Hardin, 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
northwsrd from Vladivostok.
The REIMBURSEMENT to Japan Of the
warships interned in neutral ports.
Finally, Limitation of the naval
strength of Russia in far Eastern wat.
ers.
! Hard, Russians Think.
As whole these terms are regarded
as exceedingly hard in the eyes Of the
Russians. In addition to the two prin-
cipal conditions, which cannot be &C.
cepted under NJ. Whites instructions,
those relating to Russian naval power
in the far East and the granting Of
fishing rights upon the Russian littoral
are considered 80 particularly offensive
to the amour propre Of their country
and Of such humiliating character as
to be inadmissible.
The Japanese, on the contrary, as
Baron Komura announced at the con-
ference, consider them moderate, con.
tending that they only represent fair
compensation for the expenses 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 artillery and naval success.
Russian ENJOYS Deliberate.
The Russian plenipotentisries, as
soon as the Japanese terms were in
their possession, called FIVE expert del
egates attached to the mission and
spent the whole afternoon in the con.
siderstion of the terms. Meantime
the conditions had been placed in
cipher and cabled to the car, with
NJ. Whites personal explanations.
Until an answer is received the envoy
will not meet unless some unexpected
necessity for a conference arises.
The Japanese plenipotentisries man.
ifest not the slightest annoyance at the
prospect of few days delay. They
realize how serious the issue is, and
are perfectly willing to give their
Russian colleagues ample time for
consideration.
The Russian and Japanese plenipo-
tentiaries denied themselves to callers,
no statements were issued, and only to