The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1905-09-08
Japanese Waive Indemnity and
Divide Sakhalin With the
Russian Government.
Sudden Conclusion of Terms Between
Warning Nations Comes as Pleas
>ng Surprise Just When 1t Looked
Most Gloomy for an Agree
ment.

Portsmouth, N. H-The long and
bloody war between Japan and Russia
is ended. The terms of peace were
agreed upon by M. Witte and Baron
Komura at the session of the confer
ence Tuesday morning, and Tuesday
afternoon preliminary arrangements
for an armistice were concluded and
the actual work of framing the treaty
of Portsmouth" was by mutual agree
ment turned over to M. De Martens,
Russia's great international lawyer,
and Mr.. Dennison, who for twenty-five
years has acted as the legal adviser
of the Japanese foreign office.
This happy conclusion OF the con-
ference. which a week ago would have
been shipwrecked 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 had Civ.
en- to President Roosevelt through
ambassador Meyer. No indemnity I'M
der any guise, but an agreement to d.
vide Sakhalin and reimburse Japan
for the maintenance of prisoners
were his last words. They had been
repeatedly reiterated in M. Whites
instructions, and, in the form OF
written reply to the Japanese COM
promise proposal Of last week, they
were delivered to Baron Komura.
M. White feared rupture and as
he expressed it afterward, he was
stunned by what happened. 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 advance that
peace could be obtained in no other
way. They had warned their govern
ment
President Roosevelt had also, 1t is
believed, advised Japan that it was
better to meet the Russian position
than to take the responsibility OF
continuing the war for the purpose OF
collecting tribute. The mikado, at
the advice of the cabinet and elder
statesmen, had sanctioned the final
concession. When Baron Komura
yielded, the rest was mere child's
play.
Article 10 and II (interned warships
and the limitation of Russia's sea
power in the far east were with
drawn. Japan agreed that only that
portion Of the Chinese Eastern rail-
road south of Chantfu, the position
occupied by Oyama, should be ceded
to Japan. Both sides, once the dead
lock was broken, wanted lust and
lasting" peace, and in that respect 1t
was decided to neutralize Sakhalin,
each country binding itself not to for
tify it's half of the island, and Japan
assuming an obligation not to fortify
La Perouse strait, between Sakhalin
and Hokkaido, which would bar Rus
sia's commercial route to the Pacific.
The plenipotentiaries went further.
They decided to add new clause in
the nature of broad provision for
mutual commercial privileges ~
which each country will secure for
the other the benefit of the most
favored nation" clause and the open
door,"
The new treaty, therefore, will be
a wonderfully friendly document, OF
character almost to raise the sus'
picion that the two countries have not
negotiated peace, but have concluded
the basis of future alliance. There
is, however, no evidence, as rumored,
that any secret clauses are to be ap'
pended to the present treaty.
Before leaving the conference build
Ing fluctuations were exchanged with
the president at Oyster Bay. Both
Baron Komura and M. White tele'
graphed. The former confined him.
self to apprising Mr.. Roosevelt OF the
conditions upon which peace had
been concluded. M. Witte frankly
laid his tribute at the presidents feet.
In his message he said
History will ascribe to you the
glory,"and added the expression OF
Russia's hearty appreciation Of the
presidents generous initiative"
Mr.. Roosevelt replied with words OF
thanks and congratulation.