Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-15
TOday's Telegraphic News
The Peace Conference.

the utterance OF Hon. Oscar g.. Strauss,
former United States Minister to Turkey,
and one of the American representatives
at The Hague court of arbitration. The
statement followed the conference which
Mr.. Strauss and his four Hebrew COL
leagues had last night with NJ. Witte
and Baron Rosen, relative to the condi
ton of their race in Russia. Exactly
what transpired at that meeting is not
positively known. The statement given
out at midnight by Mr. Seligman, who
acted as spokesman, showed many
erasures and interlineatiOns. II made
no mention of question affecting the
war, but lad assumed the presence of
three representatives of big Wall street
banks which was availed of by the Rus
sian ENJOYS to feel the financial pulse
in view of the possible eventuality of
Russia requiring money in the near
future, either TO continue the war or
meet Jspan's bill for the cost of war.
Mr.. Strauss declared that he was firmly
convinced that Japan and Russia both
desired peace.
The members of the party, besides Mr..
Strauss and Isaac N. Seligman, were
Adolph Lewisohn, Jacob II. Schifi, of
the firm of Kuhn, Loeb & Co., and
Adolph Kraus, the editor of a Jewish
publication in Chicago. They constitu-
ted committee of FIVE representatives of
the Hebrew societies ofthe United States
who for the past few years especially
have been aggressively laboring to secure
reforms for members of their race in
Russia. NJ. Witte was much impressed
by the presentation of The case of the
Hebrews and gave them assurances that
he would do all in his power upon his
return to Russia to better the conditions
of the Jews there, and make the laws
less stringent upon them. NJ. Witte was
the more sympathetic in his attitude to-
ward the committee because his own wife
is a member of the down trodden race
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 15.-Isaac
Selgnen, of New York, who came here
on a mission of mercy on behalf of the
Jews of Russia, did not leave Portsmouth
as early this morning as he intended.
Before he had retired shortly after the
conference with NJ. Witte, he received
request from the Russian envoy for
further interview. This interview took
place early this morning before break.
fast. 1t is believed that the subject un-
der consideration directly concerned fl
nancial matters.
The conference commenced in the
council room at the navy yard very near
ly at the appointed hour, $3.50, after the
usual salutations had been exchanged.
1t is understood that the postponed ac-
QUESTION by the japanese of the Chi
nese Eastern Railway. was the first sub
ject to be taken up.
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. l5.-It is
understood that the Russian ENJOYS are
awaiting advices from st. Petersburg as
TO the course OF action they shall take in
reference to Japan's demands. 1t is
thought if Russia can receive assurances
of a moderate cash demand and an equit-
able financial adjustment of the railroad
question, the Gar may be brought to
view with more equanimity the cession
of Saghalien, which has up to this point
been one of the greatest obstacles in the
way of peace. There is, however, grave
doubt that Japan contemplates modify
ing in any degree those demands which
involve the fruits of victory. In other
words, Japan may insist upon the abso-
lutte transfer Of the Chinese railroad and
the cession of Saghalien, treating them
as separate and distinct propositions.
1t is now reported that the Russians
have accepted in principle the japanese
demand for the session of the Chinese
Eastern Railway, but that there are
a number of controversial points
upon which reservation have been made
and which will have to be discussed
later before a final agreement can be
reached.
Portsmouth, n. H., Aug. 15.-At
/ 80 p. m. Siebert, a second secretary of
the Russian embassy at Washington,
made the following official statement on
behalf of the peace ENJOYS: sin the
morning session of August Is, the con-
ference has discussed articles and g.
Article 4, was unanimously agreed upon.
Not being able to arrive at unanimous
decision on article 5, the plenipO'en!
iaries have decided to take note of d.
vergence views and to proceed with the
discussion of the other article. Meeting
will be resumed at p. M"
The first snag in the even flow of con-
sideraton of the japanese peace terms
was struck, at this mornings session.
The obstruction was laid aside tempo
rariIy, and will be reached again later
Article 5 was the one upon which the
Russians and japanese failed to agree,
and the best available information is that
it contains the japanese demand for the
cession of the Chinese Eastern Railway.
Article number 4, it is understood, was
the transfer of the Russian leases of Port
Arthur and Dalny.
St. Petersburg, Aug. l5.-The cores
pendent of the Publishers Press is in a
position to state that Russia may agree
to the cession of the southern part of
Saghalien as one of the terms Of peace
London, Aug. 15.-The correspondent
of the Publishers Press is informed that
Whitelaw Reid, the United States AM
bassador to Great Britain, holds the
opinion that the peace negotiations which
are now in progress will reach success
full conclusion.
Earthquake i'm India.