Morris tribune., 1905-08-12
CONDITIONS OF PEACE IN THE
FAR EAST NOW IN HANDS
or RUSSIAN ENJOYS.
DOCUMENT NOT YET MADE PUBLIC
RUSSIANS WILL STUDY THE
QUESTION AND REPLY AT
EARLIEST MOMENT.

EO1LSmOuLu, ~. H., Aug. IL AS
japanese have handed the Russians
the conditions of peace in writing.
The presentation of the terms came
at the very end of the morning ses-
sion. Baron Komura himself handed
the momentous document, in duplicate
in French and Russian, to M Witte,
who thrust the papers in his inside
pocket, and the session was declared
adjourned
After adjournment the following Off
cial statement was made by M. Koro-
seEetz, on behalf of the Russian pleni-
potentiaries:
9In the meeting of Aug. 10 the ques-
tion of full powers was regulated SO
that there will be no more difficulties
on that subject. After this the Japa-
nese plenipotentiaries handed to the
Russians the conditions of peace in
writing. 1t was decided that the Rus
sian plenipotentiaries will study the
question and will as soon as possible
give their answer in writing. In the
meantime the meetings of the confer
ence have been adjourned.'
Witte Files Note of Protest.
Immediately after the peace ENJOYS
and their secretaries gathered in the
conference room for the morning ses-
sion and exchanged complimentary
words partly in Japanese M. Witte
produced a diplomatic note addressed
to the Japanese plenipotentiaries In
connection with their failure to pre-
sent their credentials at Wednesdays
meeting. What the contents OF this
note are cannot yet be learned, but
there is a basis for the belief that M.
Witte in this note took occasion to
give expression to the surprise which
he undoubtedly felt that the Japanese
plenipotentiaries, after having from
the outset of the preliminary negotia-
tiations laid SO much stress on the
necessity of examining credentials be-
fore the first step was taken, should
at the first meeting have failed to
bring with them full official letters.
1t was the understanding of the Rus
sian ENJOYS that Baron Komura
would decline to even open negotia-
tions of the most informal character
unless he had satisfied himself of the
validity of the full powers of M.
Witte. Historical precedents are
quoted in the note to show the irreg-
ularity of Wednesdays proceedings.
The purpose of the Russian note was
to make the permanent record COM
plete and make it show clearly the
attitude of the plenipotentiaries from
the beginning of the conference.
Witte Will Reject Terms.
That M. Witte will decline to accept
the Japanese conditions as a whole
may be regarded as a foregone con-
clusion and in his reply he is expect
ed to point out clearly what points he !,
can and what points he cannot ac-
eept 1t will be the Japanese rejoin-
der to this reply which will probably
determine the fate of the negotiations.
Japan will then come forward with
her minimum and if Russia rejects it
have ended in failure.
Among the Russian and japanese
delegates at the Wentworth hotel
there is great deal of discussion
about the acquiescence of M. Witte in
the suggestion of Baron Komura to
exclude delegates from the conference.
Baron Komura raised specific objec-
ton to the presence of Professor de
Martens, whom M. Witte and Baron
Rosen desired to have in attendance
in an advisory capacity and for the I
charting of land and ocean bound
aries.
The morning session lasted exactly
TWO hours and was of a most friendly
character.
No afternoon session of the peace
T. II