The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-08-30
PEACE OF PORTSMOUTH
A FACT ACCOMPLI SHED
Japanese Yielded Disputed Points With Magma
nimity of Victor
Sakhan Will Be Divided and Russia Will Pay for the Main
tenance of the Pris0ners-Great Diplomatic Triumph
For NJ Witte

n PORTSMOUTH. \. H, Aug 29--The
long and bloody war between ia
pan and Russia is ended. The
terms of peace were agreed upon by
N. White and Baron KomUra at the
session of the conference this morn
ing, and this afternoon preliminary ar
engagements for an armistice we're con-
Guided. and the actual work of franz
ing the Treaty of Portsmouth was
by mutual agreement turned over 10
Mr.. De Martens. Russia's great inter-
national lawyer, and Mr.. DenniSon.
who for twenty-five years has acted as
the legal adviser OF the Japanese for
eign office.
Sudden and Dramatic End.
The treaty is expected TO be COM
pleted by the end of the week.
This happy conclusion of the confer
ence. which week ago would have
been shipwrecl<ed had il not been for
the heroic interceSsiOn of President
Roosevelt. was sudden and dramatic.
For the sake of peace. Japan, with the
. fragnanimity- of a victor, at the last
Moment yielded everything still in is
sue Russia refused to bulge rom
the ultimatum Emperor Nicholas had
given to President Roosevelt through
Ambassador Meyer. No indemnity UNI
DER any guise. but an agreement to
divide Sakhalin and reimburse Japan
Tor the maintenance of prisoners, were
Ms last words.
Russia's Final Answer.
They had been repeatedly reiterated
in M~sWitte's instructions and in the
form C2 a written reply to the Jap
auese compromise proposal OF last
Wednesday they were delivered to Ba-
ron Komura this morning. NJ. Witte
went to the conference declaring he
was powerless to change the dot of
an - or the cross of a "t' in his
instructions. Emperor Nicholas word
had been given. not only to him. but
70 President Roosevelt. the head of q
foreign state.
offer of Compromise.
When Baron Komura, therefore. first
offered the new basis of compromise
outlined in the Associated Press dis
patches last night (the complete re-
nunctatiOn OF indemnity, coupled with
a proposition for the redemption of
Sabhalin at a price 10 be fixed by
mixed tribunal consisting of represen-
tatives Of the neutral powers. in fact.
n not In words. the solution offered
BY the presiden), NJ. Witte again re-
turned pOn-p Ossumus. 1t was what
NJ. Wittc termed in his interview with
the Associated Press as the 'psy-
Geological moment" NJ. White die not
finch He feared rupture and, as
he expressed il afterward he was
stunned by what happened
Japan Yielded.
Baron Komura gave way on all the
disputed points With the prescience
that has enabled the Japanese to
gauge the mental processes of their
adversaries on the field of battle and
upon the sea, they had realized in adj
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
II was better to meet the Russian DO
sitiOn than TO take the responsibility
o. continuing the war for the purpose
OF collecting tribute. The mfkado. at
the advice of the cabinet and elder
statesmen, yesterday had sanctioned
the final concession When Baron Ko-
mura yielded, the rest was mere child's
play.
Two Articles Withdrawn.
Articles 10 and II Guterned war
ships and the limitation Of Russia's
sea power In the far eastl were with
drawn. Japan agreed that only tbnt
po4tfon of the Chinese Eastern rail
road south of Chartfu. the position oc-
cupied by Oyama. should be ceded to
! japan, Both sides. once the deadlock
&ks<7--sOroken, wanted a lust and last
81 ~ 1eace,' and in that respect il was
secIded to practically neutraIize SAX
halin, each country binding itself not
10 forttfy its half of the island. and
Japan assuming an obligation not to
GRITTY La PeTOUse strait between
Sakhalin and Hokkaido. which would
bar Russia's commercial route to the
Pacific.
The plenipOtentiaries went further
They decided 10 add a new clause i'm
the nature of broad provision for
mutual commercial privileges bv
which each couutry viii secure for the
other the benefit os the most favored
nation clause and the open door
Almost an Alliance.
The new treaty. therefore. viii be
a wonderfully friendly document. of
character almost to raise the sus-
plcion that the two countries have not
negotiated peace. but have concluded
the basis Of future alliance. Tbe~e
is. however. no evidence as rulnored,
that any secret clauses are to be an
pended to the present treaty.
Before leaving The conference build
ing fluctuations were eXchanced WITH
the president at oyster Bav. Both
Baron Komura and NJ Witte tele-
graphed- The former confined himself
TO apprising Mr.. Roosevelt of the con-
dluons upon which peace had been
concluded. NJ Wittc frankly laid his
tribute at the presidents feet. In his
message he said.
History Will ascribc to Won tho
glory" and added the expression Of
Russia's hearty appreciation ~ tba
Roosevelt replied with words OF thanks
and congratulation
Scene Of Rejoicing.
Then began the jubiiation N. Wife
and Baron de Rosen returned to the
hotel for luncheon. The Japanesa had
remained at the conference hall 10
lunch with Mr.. Peirce The news
that peace had been cencIuded had
preceded the Russian plenipotentiarfes
and such scenes OF wild rejoicing have
never before been witnessed In the
state of New Hampshire as greeted
them upon their arrival at the hotel
NJ White. dazed at the sudden and
happy termination of the conferences
was fairly oVerDOwered by the ire
mendous ovation he received He could
only express his gratitude by shaking
the hands of everybody and in re-
Spouse TO the volley of questions fired
at him as TO the terms nurTnured:
I'VE pay not a kopeck and we get
half of Sakhalin."
Russian Triumph.
Later in his ros =. when he had par
tally recovered himself. ne declared
that he could not have dreamed Of suOh