Tokio, June 29.
The Russo-Japanese conversations to-day were taken up with discussion of the question of the future of Northern Saghalien and its possible purchase by Japan, which, if accomplished, would, it is believed, virtually dispose of the Nikolaievsk issue. Nu decision was reached and the discussion will be resumed tomorrow, July 1.
With regard to the purchase price of Saghalien, the Japanese suggested 150,000,000 yen, wherd-as the Russians asked for 1,000,- 000,000 gold roubles.
This difference has temporarily sidetracked the question of purchase. The conferees are now exploring the possibility of oon-cessions.
It is stated that a proposal of one concession covering the whole area affected, similar to the Port Arthur lease, was not acceptable to the Russians, who are now considering a proposal of smaller concessions which could be administered either by a Russo-Japanese stock company or by a Japanese company in which Russian capital would participate.
In spite of: th difference, a spirit of friendly endeavour to find a basis of agreement prevails in the discussions, according to the Russian spokesman.—Reuter.
Tpkio, July 5.
The differences between thd Russian and Japanese points of view in regard to the Nikolaievsk! indemnity and the evacuation of Saghalien. questions which it id understood Mr. Kawakami in+ sists shall be considered together: render a successful outcome of the present conversations extremely doubtful, according to the views held in reliable quar4 tera, It is stated that up to thd present the parties are no nearer an agreement than they were at Changchun.
Though no agreement may bd reached in the questions so far taken up the conversations ard expected to continue for sornd weeks and other topics will bd explored.—Reuter.
A letter from London _announces the engagement of Mrs. B. Petersen, formerly for many years a resident of Shanghai, to Mr. Jens W. Jensen, of Chicago. The wedding was to take place during the month of June.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.