The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-29

Portsmouth, Aug. 29.-Peace be-
tween Russian and Japan was prac-
ticaily concluded at this mornings ses-
sion of the peace conference. In the
final struggle the Russians achieved
the victory. For the sake of peace the
Japanese, with a magnanimity worthy
of their heroic achievements in the war
met the ultimatum of the czar and
abandoned their demands not only for
reimbursement for the cost of the war
but for the repurchase of the northern
half of Sakhaiin. Russia at the same
time agrees to d division of the island.
The Japanese also withdrew articles o
and Il of the peace conditions original
~ opposed, (demand for the surrender
of the interned warships and Limitation
of the Russian naval power in the far
east.) The delegates of the respective
missions will be called in at the after
noon session and the actual work of
formulating the treaty of peace viii
begin.
A scene Of greatest excitement fol-
lowed the announcement of the news
at the hotel. The official bulletin was
telephoned from the conference room
at the navy yard by Mr.. Sato, and like
an electric thrill, flooded through the
room. There were screams of joy.
actually wept. There was a rush for
the telegraph offices and in an instant
the news was speeding to the remotest
corners of the earth.
Hats Thrown AlOft.
Mr.. Witte, accompanied by Baron de
ROsen, came to the hotel for luncheon.
There was wonderful demonstration
upon their arrival: great crowd had
collected under the porte cochere of
the annex where the Russians are
quartered and when their automobile
drew UP the air was torn with frantic
cheers. Hats were thrown aloft. Mr..
Witte as he stepped from the car SEEM
- ed quite overcome. Too full for utter
ance, he could only grasp and shake
the hands that were extended to him.
Baron Rosen was equally moved and
received the congratulations of the
crowd in silence. For about five min
utes the two plenipotentiaries were
kept upon the porch listening to the
incoherent praises of the hotel guests
DO you pay indemnify was the
universal question.
Pas un sou,' (nOt a cent? was the
response.
The two plenipotentiaries have re-
spectively proposed to their emperors
the conclusion of an immediate arrnis-
tice. The details of the armistice will
be discussed at this afternoons meeting
and Immediately after the question of
the release of Russian prisoners
Facing his way to the door Mr.
Witte encountered the members of the
Russian mission, who rushed forward to
shake his hand. Briefly. in Russian he
gave them the joyful tidings Then. as
he started up the stairs, the newspaper
correspondents clamored for informa-
tior.
What have you done? How is it set
tled?" they cried.
I'VE pay not a kopek of indemnity
he replied, as he turned at the landing
half way up the stairs I'VE get half of
Sakhalin. That is the agreement in a
nutshell
Mr.. Witte Was Surprised.
The Associated Press correspondent
accompanied Mr.. Witte to his room. The
envoy had been quite overcome by the
great ovation he had received and the
intense strain he had been under. He
threw himself into his arm chair and
after few minutes. to pull himself to-
gether," he began to speak. SLOWLY and
deliberately-almost as if he were talk.
ing TO himself. 1t seem incredible" he
said. Il don't believe any other man
in my place would dare to hope for the
possibility of peace on conditions to
which we have just agreed. From ali
SIDES, from President Roosevelt down to
my own friends in Russia, received l1n
to the last moment, even this morning
urgent representations that SOMETHING
should be paid to Japan"
At this point, Mr. Witte who was still
laboring under excitement, almost lost
control of himself. He paused a mo.
ment- Then he went on:
The Japanese wanted to take orr in.
termed ships, and have not consented
The japanese wanted to limit our nava
power in the far east and | have moi
consented. The Japanese wanted war in.
demnity or reimbursement of the cost ot
the war: aye, demanded it and 1 have
not consented. The japanese wanted
the Chinese Eastern railway south o.
Harbin but gave them only the road
which is IN possession OF their troop:
south Of Chautafux. The Japanese
wanted the island of Sakhalin and re-
fused it, agreeing, however, at the las
moment to cede the southern half anC
then only because 1 was commanded
by my sovereign to yield and obeyed
Not only do we not pay so much as