OCR Text |
Show "WAIt CLOUDS LIFTING- BOTH JAPAN AND RUSSIA STRIV-ING STRIV-ING FOR PEACE. It Is Believed That Settlement Will be Reached, as Points at Issue Are of Small Importance. Tho following 1b snld to bo tho present pres-ent Htntus of negotiations between Hussia anil Japan: Russia recognizes Japan's prodoinlnanc.0 In Korea and Japan recognizes Russia's special position po-sition In Manclmrln. There aro two main questions still at Issue tho Russian demand for a neutral zono upon tho Korean sldo of i j tho Ynlu river, which Japan met with n 1 . proposal for a similar neutral strip on I tho Manchuria sldo. Japan nlso asks j for certain guarantees covorlng Man churia, which Russia thus far has dc- clined to grnnt. It Is pointed out, how- I ever, that tho nssurnnco given R few days ago by Russia regarding open ports in Manchuria and respect for treaty rights Is a concession on this point. That tho two countries nro not so far apart may bo fairly Inferred from tho following statement made by Mr. Kurrlno, tho Jnpnncso minister: "War now would only, bo disastrous to both countries. Owing to the geographical situation, an armed conflict would result re-sult In a grcnt drain on the men nnd treasury of both Japan and Russia, without being decisive. Besides, I bo-llovo bo-llovo It would not ho worth whllo to go to wnr on tho questions still In dispute." dis-pute." Thoro Is a strong Indication that through tho czar's personal acta tho pence party Ib completely In tho ascondant. |