The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1905-08-31
PEACE HANCSBY A THREAD
Belief at Portsmouth That Japan's
Last Concession Was Misunder-
stood at Peterhoff.
WAIVED ALL CLAIMS TO INDEMNITY
Mikado was willing to Forego Remuners-
tion for Cost Of War. Leaving kedemp-
tion Price OF Sakhalin to Arbitration
Toxic Public Convinced That Peace Is
Hopeiess-Con tidence In Oyama.

Portsmouth, n. H., Aug. 2S.-The
Associated press has definite knowledge
that several days ago President Roose-
welt was authorized on behalf Of Japan
to waive all claims for indemnity or
reimbursement for the cost Of the war,
and 10 cede back to Russia the north
ern half OF Sakhalin island, leaving the
question of redemption price OF the sale
to arbitration Of a mixed commission.
This statement was transmitted to the
Russian emperor through the Amer-
can ambassador at ST. Petersburg. An
Associated press telegram announced
that the Cars reply was partially re-
sponsive." There Is reason to
believe that this proposition on behalf
of japan was not clearly understood
at Peterhoff, but was supposed to be a
revival of he effort of Japan TO secure
an indemnity under the 2uise OF pur-
chase of fraction of Sakhalin. 1t is
now net impossible that following the
precedent of its ally Great Britain
Japan will agree to settle the whole
question Of the redemption price Of
SAL balm as the Digger Bank troubles
were adjusted The japanese conten-
ton Is that :5akhalin island is de facto
japanese territory and that Russia has
no means at her command for its pres
pnt recovery. II is understood that
Mr.. Wittc has accepted this view in
principle and expressed the judgment
that Russia should pay something in
the nature of redemption money. 1t Is
| believed that the Toxic council which
| was in session Monday morning was
considering this phase Of the question.
It is not true that the adjournment
| which was agreed to Sunday night un-
| til Tuesday afternoon, was made at the
suggestion of President Roosevelt
There is reason for believing that he
knew nothing whatever Of it but thai
thu adjustment was by mutual agree
ment between Witte and Takahira
| At noon MIR. Takahira said that moth
ing had yet been received from Toxic.
The peace conference is likened to
dying man kept alive by oxygen ad
ministered by President Roosevelt. Ye
no actual evidence can be obtained her
that the president has made a new ap
peal 10 the emperor Of Japan. VIVA
NAV have been only a slip Of the tong'l
from Mr. .Witte was so interpreted
Speaking Of the final decision of tn
Toxic government he remarked upo1
the IA hour difference between Oyste
Bay and Toxic, but then hastily cor
, rected himself and said. New Yor
and Tokio.' certainly the presiden
has not initiated new representation
. at Peterhoff. Emperor Nicholas repl
to Ambassador Meyer was of such
, nature as to preclude another tenta
|, tive in that direction at this stag
Later the way might be open but 10
the moment to offer new advice IN IN
!, face Of what practically amounted
|, an ultimatum from the emperor on tn
> subject of indemnity might be to cor
:, rebuff. New representations at Tokl
alone would perhaps not be In ACCORD
ance with the presidents r,,le. At lea!
It would constitute a change In his a
= titude. Heretofore he has not acte
as mediator but as the head of a stat
friendly to both parties rendering h
good offices and friendly advice in
partially and simultaneously to bot
: The president took good care that tn
/ should be distinctly understood. TT
I compromise he suggested to Peterho
d he suggested simultaneously to Toki
1t would seem more probable Their
Z fore that the president has not a
a tempted to influence directly the que
lions Of Japan's response to the d
= refusal Of Russia to pay anything
y the shape Of indemnity. All eyes tut
q to Toxic where the momentous que
tion Il being. and indeed. perhaps. 9
- ready has been decided. The action
= the meeting Of the cabinet and cid
Statesmen Monday morning v