The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-15

Russia Would be Willing tn Surrcn-
der Ownership and Control of the
Eastern Chinese ItaiIruad-Might
Code That Part of Sakhaiin Which
Was Once Japanese Territory.
Especial to Washington Post.)
Portsmouth, N. H, August 8.-Wtsh1
the opportunity afforded, as it was to-
day, Of securing some idea of the re-
spective views Of the Russian and the
japanese governments in regard to the
questions which will be presented to-
their ENJOYS for consideration at the
Portsmouth conference, the conclusic.l'
is unmistakable that both nations are
sincerely anxious to end the war and
are not animated by an unwillingness
to make substantial concessions to Sc
cure that happy outcome. Since the
conferees have come together under
the same roof, although only a rew1
hours nave elapsed, a decided feeling
of h~opefulness prevails that is not pas
ed on mere hypothesis of the in0u-]
ence Of sentimental association, but
upon grounds that are regarded as sub
stant1al.
While the Japanese peace condi-
tions are still a dark secret, th1ags,
that were said by those who have some
knowledge of what are the wishes and|
desires of the TOXIC government, il
dictate hat Japan is not disposed to in
fiict humiliating terms upon her enc
my, and will strive to bring about a
mutual agreement thai. will be as far
ly satisfactory to both nations as can
be arranged under existing conditions
JAPAN ENTITLED TO COMPENSA-
TION.
A little more and with a greater de-
gree of p%ositiveness can be said of Rus
sia's position. The Russians, although
apparently set in their expressed deter-l
mination not to pay Japan money in
demnity, realizes the futility of laying!
down the principle that the Japanese
as the victors up to this point, are not
entitled to some compensation for the
heavy expenses to which they have
been put through their struggle to)
drive Russia from Chinese territory!
and to prevent extension of Russian n
fuence into Korea. How Japan may
be compensated without the payment
of hard cash is q question to which the
Russian have given much though, and
it is to be assumed from what is said!
tonight that they are hopeful of iind
ing a way out of the difficulty.
There is reason to believe that thel
Russians, should the subject be brought
forward in a proper way at least, would
yield the entire ownership and CONTROL
of the eastern Chinese railway, Russia|
surrendering all rights to this great en-
terprise. 1t is true that the railway isl
now controlled by the Japanese, but III
is pointed out that the road is in Chi
nese territory and the assumption on
it's operation b. the Japanese govern
ment, by right of conquest, might
prove to be embarrassingly inconsls-i
tent with Japan's frequently expressed
declaration to return Manchurla tol
China and perhaps lead to differences
with the other powers.
PROPOSED TRADE OFF. i
These considerations might be over1
come. it is contended, if Russia freely
consented to transfer by treaty the
ownership of the railway to Japan, anal
at the same time entered into a stlr'17
lation with her enemy that the ROAD
was to be regarded as having a specl7
fed cash value. to be deducted fr''m|
the total amount with which JaDanl
would be satisfied.
This proposed virtual trade-of, slv1
ing to Japan, free and uni1cumbered, al
valuable trade and military asset, and
also permitting Russian self-respect to|
remain intact, is likely to become oneI
- ~ rooe+ poportont r,1pStiOnS hef1"oi
the conference.
With regard to the transfer OF terrl7
tory to Japan, the Russians are bel
lieved to be willing to &c a step furtnerl
than has been indicated heretofore Ger
tainly in connection with the dlspos17
ton of Sakhalin Islands, now controtl7
ed by Japan's military forces. 1t Isl
possible to say that the Russian gov1
e ament would, IN certain circumstan-
ces, be willing to cede back that por1
ton of the island which was wreStedl
japan in 1S (. There would, it Isl
claimed, not be any humiliation in suca
a course, as it would be nearly a resi-
toration of that territory once Japan
csc.
For the moment, these and otherl
questions cannot be considered with
any definite assumption OF the eHectl
they may have upon the prospects OH
peace. for the reason that the Japan
csc peace terms have not been present.
ed. But it is clear that the hopefulI
feeling IS in the ascendant. Both sldesI
appear anxious to get to work right
away and an evidence of this deslrel
is afforded by an agreement reacnedI
by them tonight to hold thelr first
meeting at 10 o'clock tomorrow morn7
ing. Up to this time the understands
ing has been that they would not bel
gin their daily sessions until about
noon.
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