Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-22
The Peace Negotiations.


been in progress for the past twelve days
will abruptly terminate and the ENJOYS
of Russia and Japan, and the members
of their suites, will depart for their homes
by the first available steamers.
Presiden. Roosevelt is exerting every in
fuence he can bring to bear to harmonic
the conflicting interests. Behind him
stand the friendly European powers,
which, if they are given an opportunity,
will earnestly urge Russia to meet her
enemy in a spirit of Cancellation and put
an end to the war, even though she has
to make sacrifices. The powers are
alarmed lest all Europe may become en-
broiled in the conflict which promises to
be amending, unless the present peace
conference results in a satisfactory set
Element.
Mr. Sato, the japanese spokesman, de-
clared last night that the time for COM
promise had been reached. Japan has
made concessions" he said, "and she
will make others. But if there is to be
peace Russia must do likewise"
While waiting on word from st. Peters
burg, the peace ENJOYS have arranged to
hold short session today and adjourn
over until Wednesday, at which time 1t
is believed some official declaration will
have been received. This arrangement
is subject to modification At the last
minute they may abandon today's meet
ing. The idea was under contemplation
yesterday, but no action was taken.
NJ. Witte says: ave cannot pay ia
pan an indemnity. 1t is impossible.
If Japan would use the money to buy
diamonds, clothes, or other good things
for her people, it would be one thing,
but Japan will use our money to buy"
NJ. Witte hesitated a moment, and
added "ships and other things. Japan
could not have made this war if she had
not obtained an indemnity of about
5000, 900, 900 from China. If she gets
an indemnity from US, she will use it as
she has used the indemnity from China. In
25 years she will make war With some
other country. Speaking as the envoy
of the Car, and the Cars plenipOtenti
airy to the peace conference, with all the
sincerity and emphasis of force of
language at my command, Russia will
not pay Japan au indemnity; let me re-
peat, Russia will not pay an indemnity.
/ cannot make that declaration in any
stronger terms"
But the hope Of a settlement of the
dispute is not absolutely extinguished,
for NJ. Witte, so as to make his position
perfectly plain, continues:
81 will not pay an indemnity until |
am ordered to by my imperial master,
the Gar. My own views are not con-
trolling. am the envoy Of his majesty,
the Gar. 1t is the will of the Gar that
is controlling"
NJ. Witte, declares that Japan has not
vet set foot on Russian soil. "What little
she has gained, we do not call Russian"
is the way he explains it. This is a
colonial war, struggle that the cOun-
try RUSSIA knows little about" he con-
tinued. "Our people have not felt the
war, many thousands do not know that
it exists. To pay an indemnity un-
der such circumstances, is impossible"
OF Saghalin he says "His Majesty wants
peace, but peace can be made with honor.
The army does not want peace, and al
though His Majesty is DESTROYS of peace,
| am sure that if peace were to be made
by the surrender of Saghalien, it would
be objected to by the army" Of two
other of the japanese demands, he sug-
gests international insincerity. He says:
"Any person With even slight knowl-
edge of international law knows that
Japan can lay no claim to the vessels
interned in neutral ports. The Japa-
nese demand that Russia shall limit
her naval force il the far East has no
practical meaning The world knows
that Russia has no navy, that it will
be % years before she can have
navy in the Pacific equal to that of
Japan. For Japan to require now, under
these circumstances, that Russia shall
limit her navy is not very serious ques-
ton. For her to withdraw that demand
as a concession is merely to attemp! to
impose upon the intelligence of the
world"
NJ. Witte has great faith in the ability
of his country to continue the war.
Russia is able to prolong the campaign"
he declares. owe have ample resources.
We have 40, 900 versts Zone and half
verst are the equivalent of one mile) Of
government railways that are not mort
gagged; the liquor monopoly produces a
revenue of $3.50, 900, 600 year. the Gus
toms and the liquor monopoly together
aggregate $500, 900 coo yearly. There
are the forest lands; there are many
other productive sources in addition.
Russia can find money the war is con-
tinued. The douma is the seed from
which will spring the unifcatiOn of the
people.
Assistant Secretary of State Peirce this
had a conference which lasted
over two hours with Mr.. Saki, who is
Baron Kaneko's secretary. This con-
ference was held at the Hotel Rocking
ham in the city of Portsmouth, FIVE miles
away from the Wentworth, the head
quarter of the ENJOYS. 1t was arranged
for late last night, and the greatest
secresy is being maintained.
Portsmouth, n. f., Aug. 22.-The
Russian secretaries are busily engaged
in the conference rooms at the navy yard
in completing their protocols. They hope
that by afternoon they may Fave the
documents in proper shape for presenla-