The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-31
China and chInese-Eastsrn
Railroad the Medium
SUM WILL Be s75,OOO,OOO
Russia VIII Have to Pay for Japan's
Possession of Part of Road-Japs
Can Demand Money From
China In Exchange.


sociated Press is able to give out one ad-
ditional and interesting detail In regard
to the conditions of peace. Most impor-
tant of all is the fact that the formal
recognition of Japan's possession OF the
Chinese Eastern railroad below Kuen-
chengtse, the junction of the branch of
Kirin, involves payment by Russia to
China of a sum estimated at $75,000,000.
This Is the Chinese interest in the road,
and for 1t China must be remsnerated.
The question of the ultimate possession
of the road is a matter to be settled be-
tween Japan and China. Japan can keep
the road or surrender 1t to China, de-
manding in return the money paid by
Russia to China. If she elects the latter
course, Japan will therefore obtain as
Indirect spoil of war from Russia the
above mentioned sum, in addition to re-
endorsement for the cost of maintaining
the Russian prisoners of war, for which
japan will present an itemized bill.
Japan Can't Keep Road.
japan is known to have given her word
to China not to retain the railroad, which
was really built for strategic purposes.
But If China prefers the money I'd the
railroad, Japan could not be accused of
bad faith. Inasmuch as Japan was desir-
GUS saeven before the war of extending the
then protected Corean railroad, which Is
already in operation, so as to eventually
connect Niith the Eastern Chinese road,
and Sham Hai-kwan road, and in the ile-.
gotiations which preceded hostilities. ask
ed Russia TO bind herself not to impede
this aim II Is considered likely that
she would herself prefer the railroad to
the money.
In addition to turning over money OBJ
tanned from Russia. China, If she took
the railroad, would therefore have to re-
imburse Japan for the expense incurred
by her In restoring the road, rebuilding
the. bridges and changing the guage.
Whether it remains In the hand of Japan
or ultimately becomes part of the sys-
tenn of Chinese imperial railroads, traf-
fic arrangement must be made with the
part still in the possession of the old
Chinese Eastern company, the stock OF
which is held by the Russo-Chinese bank.
This adjustment will be arranged later.
Allowed Railroad Guards.
Both Russia and Japan, If the latter re-
L
railroad guards" for the protection of
the railroad property, and in case of dis
order calculated to threaten their inter-
est are mutually to be permitted to send
troops but the number is in no case to
exceed those required, and they are to be
forthwith recalled as soon as their mis-
sion is accomplished.
This likewise, is a very important pro-
vision and with the East and West Chi
nese line and the Southern line as far
as Kuen Cheng-Tse still in Russas pos
session, would in case of a future issue.
give her control of the largest part of
Manchuria-the whole vast territory from
the fertile valley of the Sungari, called
the .grainary" Of the province, north
ward Another provision is that Japans
succession to Port Arthur and the Liao
Tung leases, which Russia surrenders, Is
conditioned on China's assent
The armistice was not arranged today.
and ii Is not improbable that the armistice
will be concluded directly by the generals
ON the field of battle.
of the treaty. The members of both
missions will attend the final session
wearing full diplomatic and military uni
forms. A series of photographs will prob
ably be taken showing each of the pleni-
potentiaries In the act of signing. The
reason why the envoys are anxious that
the President should witness the signing
is that he may be in the historic painting
of the conference which some distinguish
ed painter will produce. This valuable
picture will eventually find lodgment in
the White House.