The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
LIBERAL OFFER BY
 TRACTION LINES
CHICAGO COMPANY WANTS A 2o-YEAR FRANCHISE AND PROM. IsEs TO WAIVE ALL CLAIM 70 se-YEAR GRANTS.

Chicago, September 26.-A definite prop osition for a new franchise grant to the Chicago City Railroad company and the Chicago Union Traction company was made by the companies to the city coun- ell this afternoon.
 The companies offer In consideration of a twenty-year franchise grant by the city for all the existing lines to waive their alleged ninety-nine year rights at the end of the twenty-year period; they promise immediately to rehaDilltate their lines so as to give throughout the city an electric service of single cars run in such number as the city council may think proper, they will give through ser vice between the south, north ana west sides of the city, and transfers enabling a passenger to travel between any two points for a single five-cent fare. and they offer to give to the city graduated percentage of the gross earnings rang ing from per cent to 10 per cent
 
 dustry of all nations in that empire. On the other hand the interests of the con tracting parties are of kind upon which they are fully entitled to insist, and the announcement that those interests must be safeguarded, is one which can create no surprise, and need give rise to no misgivings.'
 Special mention Is made of Articles and g. Of the latter, Lord Lansdowne says:
 Japan Paramount In Corea.
 "It recognizes in the clearest terms the paramount position which Japan at this moment occupies and must hencefortl occupy in Corea, and her right to take the measures which she may find necessary for the preservation of her political, n.ii- tary and economic interests in that coun- try. It is, however, expressly provided that such measures must not be contrary to the principle of equal opportunities Tor the commerce. and industry of other na- tions The treaty at this point differed ma terially from that of 1902. It has. however, become evident that Corea, owing to 1t close proximity to the Japanese empire and it's inability to stand alone must fall under the control and tutelege of Japan.
 His majesty's government observes with satisfaction that this point has been readily conceded by Russia in the treat. of peace, and there Is every reason to believe that similar views are held by other powers with regard to the relations which should exist between Japan and Corea. His majestys government ven- lures to anticipate that the alliance thu concluded, designed as 1t is for objects that are purely peaceful and for the pre- servation of the rights and interests, tho validity of which cannot be contested, will be regarded with approval by the government to which you are accredited The British government Is Justified fl believing that the conclusion of this al- llance may not have been without ef- feet in facilitating the settlement by which the war was so happily brought to an end, and its members earnestly trust that the alliance may for years to come be instrumental In securing the peace of the world in those regions which come within its scope"
 similar dispatch was addressed t Sir Francis Bertie. the British ambassa dor at Paris.