The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-14
JAPS FORCE ON RUSSIA
FIRST PEACE DEMAND
WILL
RULE OYER KOREA
Peace ENJOYS Arrive at a Con-
clusion as to First Con-
dition.
1t Rupture Comes, It Will Not Be
Until the End of the
Week.

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 1.-THE
disposed of the first article of the
peace terms-the preponderance of ia
pan over Korea.
/ What conclusion was reached is not
stated but the fact that it is settled
IS evidence that Japan's terms were
accepted by Mr.. Witte.
The conference began at $3.50 clock,
conditions relating to the status Of
Korea, Mr.. Witte continuing to urge
that the language Of the clause should
explicitly show what he contended was
the true Japanese intention regarding
the hermit kingdom-namely, to make
OF it province Of Japan.
Maneuvers of Diplomats.
Among the delegates of the respec-
tive sides who remained behind at the
hotel today, it was insisted that each
side was sincerely anxious to conclude
a treaty Of peace, and it is evident If
there is to be rupture, as the best
informed believe there will be, each
side will maneuver to place the respon-
sibility on the other.
The Japanese seem disposed to throw
out the intimation that Mr.. Witte is try
ing to wear out his adversaries and COM
| pei them to break off negotiations This
lntimation is Indignantly repudiated by
the Russians, who contend, as does their
principal, that Russia is ready and
willing to have the fullest publicity
gwen to the proceedings, in order that
the world may Judge between them.
Crucial Debate Not Near.
! It will be several DAYS before either
Of the crucial points of difference is
reached: The exact order of the con-
dlt1ons is not yet known, but it is prac-
tically certain that the demand for the
reimbursement Of the expenses Of the
war precedes that for the cession Of
Relentless method is behind the Ian.
anese system in the peace negotiations,
as IN their military and naval opera
lions. When they formulated their con-
ditions of peace the origin of the whole
struggle between Russia and Japan was
kept steadily in view.
Korea, which was the real bone Of
contention; Korea, first the subject Of
an agreement in 1896; Korea, which
formed the basis of the request for the
negotiations prec eding the war, comes
Second, it is safe to say, is the evac-
uatlon OF Manchuria, the continued oc-
oupo'Aon VI WH1cn Dy Russia, Japan
claimed threatened the independence of
Korea and the safety of Japan. In
support Of this claim she took a leaf
out OF the book of arguments used by
Russia in 1896 when she was compelled
by Russia, supported by France and
Germany, to abandon the Liao-tung
peninsula and the Shimonoseki treaty.
on the very ground thta the possession
OF Port Arthur and Liao -tung threat
| ened Korea s independence.
Protect Safety of Japan.
These are the two main objects de-
signed. to protect the safety Of
Then might come logically Port Arthur
and the Liao-tung leases, to satisfy the
desire for revenge which the Japanese
nation felt on account of being de-
spoiled, as they claimed, of the fruits
Of their victory over China in 1895.
The question of the Chinese eastern
before the 7sspoils Of war;" Japan Is
bill for. the "cost of the war;
The only reason why the cession Of
Sag-ha-lien might precede the bill for
the cost of the war is the fact that
Japan has always felt that the island
and conquest, and that she had been
compelled, when too weak to defend
her rights, to yield it to her adversary.
| = Witte 1ncensed at Secrecy.
Mr.. Witte, it is understood, is In
censed at the secret policy of the Jap
= anese. He says he is willing to mako
public every phase Of the negotiations
and anxious to do SO, but that he is
Mr.. Witte plainly is chafng under the
restraint; he wants to talk to the
American people. He can see no rea-
son why the whole world should now
know exactly what is going on. The
Japanese are silent. secretive, unfath-
ENABLE. Mr.. Witte said:
We desire that everything pertaining
to the conference should be done in the
by the whole world. We have nothing
to conceal and nothing to fear. Before
the conference began, all sorts Of reports
and misstatements emanated from the
other side. Now that the world needs en-
lightenment now that the moment has
come to face the supreme tribunal Of
public opinion, we are not permitted to
place before the world the evidence In
| our possession from which just verdict
could be returned as to the issue between
the belligerents.
| The Russian plenopotentiaries stand
ready to publish the text of the japanese
conditions, the full reply of Russia pre-
| 3,
/ that have been exchanged, and the min
utes of the sittings. The issue now be-
ing tried at Portsmouth is not only
question Of peace war between Russia
and Japan, but one which might produce
1 a general confagration involving the
I shedding Of blood in many countries.
Answered by Sato.
/ Mr.. Sato answered Mr.. Witte s inter.
| view by saying that the only reason the
Japanese want secrecy is to prevent any
/ possible failure Of the negotiations. He
/ said it was not well that matters IF this
| great Importance should be bruited
about in the press. Mr.. Witte g attack
did not cause the Japanese to relax for
an instant. They remained secret and
| silent as before.
yellow PERIL: Whites Cry.
| !. Despite all the iniunctions of Sc
crecy upon the peace ENJOYS, it is
known that the debate Saturday over
4 the first condition-the recognition Of
Japan 8 Upreponderating influence
over Korea, involving her right to con-
troll the administration Of the Hermit
Kingdom, use the ittoral for strategic
: Continued on I'd Page, Sd Column.