The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-29

and received the congratu tulations OF the
crowd in silence. For about Ave minutes
the plenipotentiaries were kept upon the
porch listening 10 the incoherent praises
OF the hotel guests.
DO you pay indemnify" was the uni
versal Interrogation.
Pas un SOU" Not a cent?. was the re-
sponse.
IN A NUT SHELL.
Forcing his way to the door, Mr.. Witte
encountered the members OF the Russian
mission, who rushed forward 10 shake
his hand Briefly. In Russian. he gave
them the Joyful tidings. Then as he
started up the stairs, the newpaper cor
respondents clamored for information.
what have you done? How is IL set
tled?" they cried.
I'VE pay not a kopeck OF indemnity"
he replied. as he turned at the landing
halfway up the stairway; I'VE get half
OF Sakhalin. That Is the agreement in a
nutshell"
TO DISCUSS ARMIsTICE.
The two plenipotentiaries have respec-
lively proposed 10 their emperors the con
clusion OF an immediate armistice. The
details OF the armistice will be discussed
at this afternoons meeting and immedi-
ately after the question of the release
OF Russian prisoners.
wITTE TALKS.
The Associated Press correspondent ac-
companied Mr.. Witte to his room. He
had been quite overcome by the great
ovation he had received and the intense
strain ne had been under. He threw him.
self into his armchair and after few
minutes to pull himself together" he be-
gan to speak slowly and deliberately. al
most as IL he were talking 10 himself.
1T seems incredible" he said. Il do
not believe any other man in my place
would have dared TO hope for the posi-
bility OF peace in the conditions TO which
we have just agreed. From all Sides from
President Roosevelt down TO my own
friends I'm Russia, | received up To the
last moment, even this morning, urgent
representations that something should be
paid to Japan"
WHAT THE JAPS WANTED.
At this point Mr.. Witte, who was still
laboring under excitement, again almost
lost control OF himself. lie paused mo-
ment Then he went on: THE japanese
wanted TO take our interned ships, and l
have not consented. The Japenese want
ed 10 limit our naval power In the Far
East, and | have not consented
THE Japanese wanted war indemnity or
reimbursements for the costs OF the war,
aye demanded IT,. and l have not con-
sented
ern railway south or Harbin. but | gave
them only the railroad I'm the possession
OF their troops. south OF Chautafu The
japanese wanted the island OF Sakhalln
and refused IT, agreeing. however. at the
last moment 10 cede the southern half
and then only because I was commanded
by my sovereign TO yield and obeyed
mot only do we not pay so much as a
copeck, but we obtain half OF Sakhaln
now I'm their possession. At this mornings
meeting ] presented my written PROPOSE
tion. which was the Russian ultimatum
IL was accepted by the Japanese. | was
amazed. Until I was I'm the conference
room I did not think what would happen
/ could not anticipate such great and
happy issue"
1T was psychological crisis. had
made up my mind not 10 strike out a let
ter OF the ultimatum ! submitted. go far
as / was concerned II was ended. But
could not tell how ~ would work on the
japanese mind. 10 was a complete vic
tory for us.
WOR KON THE TREATY.
AT this afternoons session." Mr. Wltte
continued. "all the delegates will partici-
pate. Now that the general lines Of peace
nave been agreed upon. the details will
nave 10 be considered and discussed by
the competent persons who have accom-.
question ~ detail, they include matters |
or great Importance. chief among these
is the armistice with Baron Komura ana
myself have, already proposed 60 our en-
perors. The release OF the prisoners viii
also come up Immediately"
Mr. Witte. continuing. said that he
would like 60 explain the visit of Mr.
Nandcrlip last night .n order 60 prevent
false statements regarding the visit
"Mr. Nandcrlip,' he said came 20 SEQ
me not only Co speak of the situation IN
general but also OF money matters ana ~
the possibility % Russia floating a loan ip
the United states / told him two things:
IL Russia must continue the war there
is az tho command 81 the treasury re
serve fund OF one billion roubles in gold
which accumulated when 7 was minister
ofg finance. That fund r. 20 protect paper
Issues. but could he used and We would
not be obliged 20 borrow at Unacceptable
rates 10 I make peace I told him from
everywhere In America, in France. In Ger
many and In England. would come a mood