The San Francisco call., 1905-08-30

; duced by the momentous events at the
navy-yard and the wildly enthusiastic
demonstra tions which greeted him on his
arrival
Before Mr. de Witte had passed UP the
stairway leading to his apartments the
crowd began crying:
What about indemnity? How much
did Russia pay?'
The word Indemnity brought Mr.. de
Wittc to halt on the first landing of the
stairway. Turning TO the crowd, deliber-
ately and with that commanding force
which has made his personality the most
potent factor in the peace negotiations,
the great man of Russia, with words that
seemed TO come through his tightly
clenched lips, fairly snapped back TO his
quesuoners with deep feeling:
Pas un soui'' not a cent?.
The ring of pride in his voice told the
crowd that Mr. de Witte had won his
victory. He came to Portsmouth de-
claring stoutly that he would not pay
had made good his word. The words
brought another cheer.
Forcing his way through the crowd,
Mr.. de Witte met the members of the
Russian mission, who rushed forward to
shake his hands. Briefly. he gave them
the joyful tidings. When, as he started
up the stairs, he said to another inquirer
MHO the NOTQ
I'VE pay not a kopeck of indemnity,
sir; not a kopeck.''
The crowd yelled uproariously-an ex-
cept the Japanese. In group the
japanese correspondents returned to the
main hotel, anxiously awaiting news
from the Japanese mission. They were
keenly disappointed that Baron Komura
and Mr.. Takahira had not returned to
the hotel for luncheon, and were. un-
willing PahIe q the
agreement until the Japanese official
statement had been. received. Until that
should come they were unwilling 10 be-
lieve the news.
I'VE shall wait until we hear from
our envoys; they will tell the whole
truth said one of them. with an en-
phasis on the adjective.
The whole truth they learned when
Mr.. Sato made the japanese official an
nouncement later in the evening.
The grit Japanese demonstration did
not begin until after O'Clock in the even
ing as the Japanese plenipotentiaries
and their official secretaries remained at
the yard during the afternoon. When it
came il was even more remarkable than
that of the Russians. for all present ap-
preciated what sacrifice the heroic little
nation had made for peace The crowd
which awaited the ENJOYS as they dashed
up in an automobile was even larger than
that which greeted Mr.. de Witte The
cheering came in volleys. Again and
again the crowd hurrahed and waved
their hats As the car came under the
portecochere both plenipotentiaries grave
ly lifted their hats and held them in
their hands as they passed through the
line Of cheering people to the elevator.
Baron Komura and Mr.. TakahIra
looked straight ahead and seemed almost
I embarrassed by the ovations. Even the
ringing cheers from all sides. did not
move them. Only the gravity of the
days work seemed 10 impress them They
felt the fun responsibility which had been
upon their shoulders Solemnity was
written upon their faces as they entered
the hotel, and the sounds of Jubilation
greeting them on every side did not shut
out from their eyes the home country and
the possible effect upon their. people of
the news of the sacrifice that had been
made for peace. Neither plsnipotentiary
stepped to shake hands, but, accompa-
MED by Mr.. Sato, they went Immediately
TO their rooms.
'.TH be back in moment" said Mr..
Sato, as the elevator took him to the sec
ond floor. where he deposited in Baron
Komuras room the precious records Of
the days proceedings
When Mr. Sato entered the lobby a few
minutes later with the official announce
nnent even the summer girls crowded
! in and pushed and fought TO get on the
inner circle Dir Sato fairly fought his
/ way to the rear veranda, and, ascending
| to the band stand read the Japanese
statement in the same monotone in
which all his previous ones have been
made.
Near by, in a group. stood the still in
credulous correspondents They waited
/ for the last word to be read. 1t con-
! frrned Mr.. de Whites announcement
that Japan received nothing for the cost
! of the war and gave up half of Sag
! halien
I'VE did not believe it this morning" !"
said Mr.. Fukotomi. correspondent for
| the Osaka Asahi. as he walked away,
Shaking his head. Japan expected a
great deal more than this. Division of
Saghalien was not to be thought of. 1t
was ours by the blood Of our soldiers
and we should have kept it. Russia
brought on this war: she should have
paid for it,
He was interrupted by another CORE
spondent: t
but the Emperor has ordered It."
YES" said another, ..'it isi the EN-
peror's word"
The attitude of the group at the men,
/ ton of the Emperor's name Immediately
changed.
"Yes." assented one. "the Emperor has
spoken and Japan will obey. The En-
peror is all wise and Japan is satis-
| fed"
The incident was a striking illustration
! Of that wonderful devotion of the Japa-
nese to their sovereign and of the I'M
plicit confidence they place in his every
action.
/ n.rorf of I>xxtxh Ma.socra. rrtru.