The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-30
"That is --SpItndid!' He Exclaimed When TidingS
 Were Received
SITUATION WAS BLACK
 BUT HE DID NOT DESPAIR
Rejoicing Is Unusual at Sagamore Hill and Happy Family Gathers About the Presidents Board-Roose-
 welt Is Congratulated.

Oyster Bay, L. l., August 2s.-lp -..a library at Sagamore Hill, President Roosevelt shortly before o'clock this afternoon received the announcement that the Russian and Japanese plenipotenti- aries had reached an agreement and would proceed at once to conclude the terms of treaty of peace.
 The announcement had not been expect ed today. The President at no time dur ing the pending negotiations had aban- doned hope of a successful issue of the conference, but he had realized more clearly than any other one man in the world the enormous difficulties which confronted the envoys In their deliber- atons. While he has not for moment relaxed hls earnest efforts to induce the conferees to continue their discussions with a view to securing basis of agree ment, he had felt for forty-eight hours that the task he had set for himself in the interest of humanity and civiliza- ton was well nigh hopeless.
 The Presidents final appeal to St. Petersburg and to To1io had been made. No response had been received from tho orient but from Peterhof palace had come in Emperor Nicholas own words, Rus sia's ultimatum-not copee of indem- nity; not verst of territory.
 The situation looked black indeed. The President however, did not despair. With the final terms of the Japanese govern msnt, as soon as they should be received from Japans emperor, he had determined to seek the aid of Emperor William of Germany in support of his proposition that the warning parties submit their points of difference to the arbitrament or an impartial arbitration. In one form or another this had been the Presidents solution of the difficulty ever since the differences, seemingly irreconcilable by the envoys had arisen. To this proposl- tion Japan had acceded. With the power ful influence of the German emperor at Peterhof enlisted, it was hoped that the ground of objection might be cut from beneath the feet of Emperor Nicholas.
 Was Supreme Effort.
 This was to be President Roosevelts supreme effort to insure just and last ing peace"
 1 peal was interrupted by the tinkle or the bell of the telephone on his desk. MT. Loeb. secretary to the President, answer ed the call. "WhatY' he eagerly inquired as the message was given to him. The message was repeated. He mani fested so much excitement and incredunty that the President inquired, What Is It .It is announced by the Associated Press in an official bulletin from Ports mouth" replied Secretary Loeb. that the ! plenipotentiaries have agreed on all points of difference and will proceed at once to negotiate a treaty of peace.
 '"That Is fine-splendid? exclaimed the President
 But the doubt passed through his mind, DO you think 1t is authentc?"
 "It is a perfectly definite statement" Mir Loeb responded.
 Good goodr the President exclaimed.
 The joyful tldngs soon spread through the Roosevelt household. The President did not conceal his qualification at the successful issue of the peace conference, the initiative of which had come rom him and his feeling of satisfaction at the outcome, and the same was noted among the entourage of Sagamore HILL It was A happy family assembled few moments afterward around the hospitable board of President Roosevelt.
 Confirmation Received.
 Confirmation of the historic tidings reached the President at 2!02 o'clock in cipher dispatch from Portsmouth. By authority and at the request of Baron Komura the chief envoy of Japan. the dispatch stated:
 "The people of Japan have withdrawn their claim for reimbursement of war expenditures, and agreement has been reached as to the partition of the Island of Sakhalin. The plenipotentiaries will now proceed with the discussion of de- tails"
 Shortly after the discussion of this mes sage the full Associated Press report of tho scenes at Portsmouth incident to the announcement of the news there, includ- Ing M. Witte's statement of the adjust ment of the difficulties by the conferees was received at the executive office, and carried by a special messenger to Pres ident Roosevelt at his home. He read the account with deep interest
 While the President did not seek to conceal his qualification that the confer once had reached an agreement. he said he was obliged In the circumstances to refrain from any formal expression re- gardlng the work accomplished. until he should have been informed fully as to the details. It can be said. however. that he feels that the successful issue of the conference is a great triumph for hu- manity and civilization. Such public ex- presson as he may make regarding the work of the conference will be announced after he shall have had opportunity care fully to consider 1t.
 First important Work.
 It is regarded here as likely that the first important work of the conferees. now that a general agreement has been reached on the main points of difference, wille be the framing of protocol declar- ing an arnistice and providing for the return of prisoAers. The negotiations of . permanent treaty of peace. subject of grace concern to both powers. and to (contlnued on Eighth Paqe.l