The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-09-01
COURSE OF THE
PEACE PALAvER
Official Statement Given Out by Rus
sian Government.
DETAILS OF THE STRINGS
HOW PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
PREVENTED A RUPTURE.

St. Petersburg, Aug. 31.-The gov
eminent has issued the following COM
munication explaining the course OF
the peace negotiations:
In the month of June the emperor
consented to accept the proposition OF
President Roosevelt for a conference
of Russian and japanese plenipotentl-
aries in order To ascertain how far II
was possible for the two powers 10
determine conditions OF peace. rms
important mission was entrusted 10
NJ White and Baron De ROsen, who
received full powers by virtue OF
which they could. in the event OF the
acceptability of the Japanese propo-
sitions. proceed to the conclusion OF
treaty of peace. 1t was mutually
agreed that the negotiations should
take place in American territory.
Detailed Discussion.
'The first interview between the
plenipotentiaries took place at Oyster
Bay on Aug. Z, and the conference
opened at Portsmouth on Aug. 3. AT
the second sitting the Japanese pleni-
potentiaries presented the conditions
of peace as elaborated at Toxic.
Considering that several of these
conditions were absolutely unaccep-
table according TO the Instructions
given the Russian plenipotentiaries'
and that the wording of the other
conditions was interpretable as det-
riment to Russian interests, NJ. Witte
proposed a detailed discussion OF each
point separately.
Having devoted several sittings
thereto, the Russian plenipotentiaries
came to the conclusion that an agree
ment was unattainable on four points,
whereupon the japanese plenipotenu-
arfies declared their willingness TO ask
for supplementary instructions VITA
the view of finding a conciliatory out
come to the serious difficulties that
had arisen.
Japanese Concessions.
after communicating with Toxic,
the Japanese plenipotentiaries init
mated that they renowned. firstly, the
question OF the limitation of the Rus
sian naval force in the far east, ana,
secondly, the demand for the surren-
der of the interned warships, but they
continued to demand the cesslon or
the island of Sakhalin and especially
the payment OF an indemnity.
"In accordance with the instructions
they had received. the Russian pieni-
potentiaries positively rejected these
last demands, declaring that they could
not continue to discuss the other con-
ditions of peace If Japan continued 20
insist on the payment Of the expenses
OF the war.
Roosevelt's Action.
taking into consideration that such
a state of the negotiations could only
lead to rupture, President Roosevelt
decided to address himself to the en-
peror through Ambassador Meyer, APP
pealing TO his maJesty's humanitarian
sentiments and asking that he con-
sent 10 accept a new Japanese pro-
posal in order 30 avoid further blood
shed. This proposal was that Russia,
in view OF the actual position of SAX
halin on account Of japanese descent
on the island, agree to cede TO Japan
the southern part belonging to her up
to 1875, the northern part to be re-
turned to Russia in consideration OF
the payment of 1900, 900 900 yen (abOut
$500, 900, O00).
In expressing to President Roose-
welt his gratitude for the efforts made
TO aid in restoring peace, his majesty
said ne could not find ii possible TO
accept the aforementioned proposals,
which were de facto equivalent TO the
payment or an indemnify.
Finally Gave Up.
THE japanese pIenipotentiaries were
of his majesty's decision by
the Russian plenipotentiaries and they
announced at the sitting of Aug. 29
that, according TO instructions from
their home government, Japan re-
nounced her demand for reim-
for the expenses of the war,
but adhered to her claim for the
part of Sakhalin, undertaking
not to take military precautions there
In, not to construct fortifieations, and
to Keep La Perouse strait open.
Thus, after the above had been in
serted in the protocol, the sittings of
the plenipotentiaries We're terminated
so far as regards the preliminary ques-
lions looking TO peace, which will serve
as the basis of final treaty of peace
between Russia and Japan"