Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-11
,NTs NO FIGHT ON sAKHAuN ISLAND
oldiers There Nay Retire Without Making
Resistance,
PLOMATS WILL MEET At PORTSMOUTH
New General Store Building in Navy Yard
Will Be Used.
WILL BE PRESENTED At OYSTER BAY
President VIII Not Make a TrIR
TO Washington for Purpose
of Receiving the
PIenipOtentiRrieH.

ST. PETERSBURG, July 1O.-Althougu
ten days has elapsed since Russia informed
President Roosevelt Of it's Willingness to
conclude an arnhstce pending the result Of
the Washington conference Japan, so far
as known to the Russian government, has
not deigned to reply to the presidents COM
munication. When the question of an
armistice was first broached by the presi-
dent 1t is understood that Japan indicated
that 1t would decline TO agree to a suspen-
sion of hostilities until the plenipotenuaries
met. Russia agreed in principle to this as
the basis for negotiation. Since then the
Russian government feels it has given
ample proof OF it's desire to conclude peace,
and 1t is possible 1t may go a step further.
The impression here is that now that the
japanese have made a descent on the
Island of Sakhalin, they are determined
TO get the island firmly in their grasp
before the negotiations begin This is an
easy task, the small Russian force on
the island is in no position to contest its
occupation. In addition to marines and in
fantry the Japanese landed artillery and
cavalry. The latter are moving rapidly
north. The presumption here is that the
Russian troops will clear out without fight-
ing, crossing to Alexandrovsk on the main
land. The Novosti says IL considers SAX
halin a second Alaska, worth $4,000 100000.
1t is possible that Japan might agree to
suspend hostilities in Manchuria, although
the latest reports from there create a
strong impression that Field Marshal
Oyama is at last advancing for a decisive
blow.
NJ. Witte Urged for Envoy.
The Associated Press has high warrant
for the statement that NJ. witte, president
80, tale
urged on the emperor for head of the
peace commission. Even Foreign Minister
Lamsdorff is said to have Joined in recom-
mending his election. The emperor, how
ever. fatty declined to appoint him. and
after M Nelidoff ambassador at Paris,
pleaded Illness, his majesty personally
chose NJ. Muravieff, the ambassador at
Rome. Two of the five councillors to the
plenipotentaries, though, NJ. Pokotilof,
minister to China, and NJ. shipoff director
Of the imperial treasury and former presi-
dent of the zemstvos, are distinctly Witte
men.
NJ. Muravieff, while personally considered
a very able and shrewd man, has had little
experience in diplomacy and none In far
eastern affairs, and therefore he will
probably be compelled to rely largely upon
Baron Rosen, the ambassador at Washing
ton the other plenipotentary, and NJ
Pokotiloff, both of whom have the situation
at their finger tips.
The emperor has received from General
Iinevitch another very optimistic dispatch
on the military situation, and the section
of the court party still favorable to
continuation of the war is making much
of 1t.
According to gossips Of the imperial en-
tourage, the empress is opposing the con-
cusion of peace.
Five Delegates from Russia.
Besides the peace plenipotentaries there
will be Ave delegates with the Russian
peace mission, including three secretaries.
Prince Koudacheft, formerly secretary of
the Russian legation at Toxic, under Baron
Rosen; NJ Plancef, who formerly was at
tached TO the chancellery Of Viceroy Of
the far east, and NJ. Naboukin of the For
eign Office China in the request which
she preferred to Russia and japan TO be
represented at the Washington conference,
practically served notice on them that un-
less that privilege is accorded her she will
refuse to be bound by the treaty so far as
! II affects Chinese territory. Russia is un-
derstood to be not averse to Chinas propo-
sition, but Japan declined to agree to 1t.
Portsmouth Gets Meeting.
! WASHINGTON. July 1O-Assistant Sec
retary Pierce today announced that the
| plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan had
agreed upon Portsmouth, N. H., as the
| meeting place for the sessions Of the peace
/ conference to be held outside of Washing
/ ton. The sessions will be held in the gov
/ ernment navy yard at Portsmouth In the
new building just completed there.
Third Assistant Secretary Of State Peircs
has been specially commissioned by the
! ., oil - eov ha
meeting of the plenipotentiaries at Ports
mouth and is preparing TO leave for that
place 10 confer with the commandant of
the navy yard. The meeting viii be held
in the general store house.
Presentation at Oyster Bay.
orders have been issued for the May
flower to Join the Dolphin at Oyster Bay
early in August to receive the plenipoten-
tiaries. With the ENJOYS aboard the two
vessels, under the escort Of a small cruiser,
II will proceed TO Portsmouth. The plenipo-
tentiaries will assemble at New York early
IN August and be taken TO oyster Bay on
two protected cruisers OF the Cleveland
type TO pay their respects 10 the president
and be formally presented by him to each
other
The selection Of Portsmouth was mutually
acceptable to the peace ENJOYS OF the bel
lIgerents, as besides being a cool and COM
Portable place for this season of the year,
It has the advantage OF offering building
on government soil. which is regarded as
an important consideration. This govern
ment, It is stated, did not in any wise dis
tate as 20 the selection.
While the sessions will be held in the
navy yard, the plenipotentiaries and their
staffs will live near by In hotels
| It was announced at the State depart
ment today that Third Assistant Secretary
Pierce will accompany Baron Rosen. the
new Russian ambassador 70 the United
states when he goes 70 Oyster Bay TO
present his credentials An appointment
for the reception at oyster Bay has been
, made for Thursday.
Quarters Are Adequate.
PORTSMOUTH. ~ H.. July 1O.-Rear
Admiral Meade who Is In command Of the
navy yard said that having had no intima.
ton that the peace conferences would be
held at the navy yard, he could not at thLI