The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-09-01

Portsmouth, August 30.-The long
and bloody war between Japan and
Russia is ended.
The terms of peace were settled by
NJ. Witte and Baron KOmura at the
session of the conference this morning,
and this afternoon preliminary ar
engagements for an armistice were con-
cluded and the actual work of framing
the Treaty of Portsmouth, was by
mutual agreement turned over to Mr..
DeMartens, Russia's great internatiOn-
al lawyer, and Mr.. DenpisOn, who for
twenty-five years has acted as the legal
advisor of the Japanese foreign office.
The treaty is expected to be COM
pleted by the end of the week.
Due to President Roosevelt.
This happy conclusion Of the confer
ence, which week ago would have
been ship wrecked had it not been for
the heroic intercession of President
Roosevelt was sudden and dramatic.
For the sake of peace Japan, with the
magnanimity of victor, at the last
moment yielded everything still in is
sue Russia refused to bulge from
the ultimatum Emperor Nicholas mad
given to President Roosevelt through
Ambassador Meyer No indemnity un-
Ger any guise, but an agreement to dl-
vide Sakhalin and reimburse for the
80 flA r,iSn
were his last words. They had been
repeated, reiterated in NJ. Witte's in
stuctions and in the form of Il written
reply to the Japanese compromise pro-
posal of last Wednesday they were de-
livered to Baron kOmura this morning.
NJ. Witte went to the conference de-
cIaring he was pOwerleSs to change
the dot of an ! or the cross of L
in his instructions. Emperor Nlcho-
las word had been given not only to
him but to President Roosevelt the
head of foreign state.
When Baron Komura, therefore, first
offered the new basis of compromise
outlined in The Associated Press dis
matches last night (the complete re-
nunciation of indemnity, coupled with
Il proposition for the redemption OF
SdhUdIlH dl IL w NC hASN ~ a
mixed tribunal consisting of represent
atives of the neutral powers, in fact,
if not in words, the solution offered by
President ROOSEVELT NJ. Witte again
returned non pOssumus. 1t was
what NJ. Witte termed in his interview
with The Associated Press the "psy-
Geological moment
Japanese Give Way Oh Disputed Points
NJ. Witte did not finch. He expect
ed rupture and as he expressed it al
terward he was stunned by what nap
pened. Baron Komura gave way on
all the disputed points With the pre-
science that has enabled the Japanese
to guage the mental processes of their
adverSarieS on the field of battle ana
upon the sea they had realized in ad-
vance that peace could be obtained in
no other way. They had warned their
government. President Roosevelt had
also, it is believed, advised Japan that
it was better to meet the Russian posi-
ton than to take the responsibility OF
continuing the war for the purpose OF
collecting tribute. The Mikado at the
session of the cabinet and elder states
men yesterday had sanctioned the final
concession. When Baron KOmura
yielded the rest was mere child's play.
Articles 10 and II Gnterned war
ships and the limitation of Russia's sea
power in the Far East We're with
drawn. Japan agreed that only that
portion Of the Chinese eastern rail-
read south of Chantufu. the position
occupied by Oyama, should be ceded
to Japan. Both sides, once the dead
lock was broken, wanted a lust and
lasting peace, and in that spirit it was
decided to practically neutralize SAX
halin, each country binding itself not
s to fortify its half of the island, and
Japan assuming an obligation not to
fortify the La Perouse strait between
Sakhalin and H0kkaide which would
bar Russia's commercial route to the
Pacific.
The plenipotentiaries went. further
They decided to add new clause II
the nature of broad provision for mu.