Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-09-01
PEACE AT LAST.
conferees Come to Terms With Sus-
prisinu Suddenness.

To the surprise and joy Of the civil
lied world Russia and Japan on last
Tuesday reached an agreement that
has put an end to the war and estab-
lished peace.
1t is hardly fair to say that anybody
was looking for peace, for II they were
they kept their own counsel. They
failed to let the world in the secret.
And there is no wonder Russia had
let 1t be known in no uncertain terms
that she would not surrender one foot
Of territory or pay kopeck Of tribute.
In view of the tremendous achieve
ments Of Japan and the advantage
she is supposed to have, there was at
first a common belief that Russia was
bluffing; but her representatives put
the matter In such way as to dtspel
this idea. Japan and the world were
made to believe that she meant just
what she said.
1t was Japan which made the con-
cessions or most Of them. After the
conferees had gone as far as they
could go, there remained the questions
of Sakhalin, the interned war ships,
Limitation of Russian sea power in the
Pacific and indemnity. These had
been passed over because the Russians
were unwilling to agree to them.
Sakhalin originally belonged to Japan;
but Russia had secured possession OF
a part of 1t and the Japanese had prac-
tically regained possession Of that part
The interned warships are those that
had been forced to neutral ports by the
Japanese and dismantled In accord
ance with a provision Of international
law. Japan was rightly entitled to de-
mand that they be turned over to her.
Everything having been settled but
the matters just mentioned. M. Witte
went into the conference Tuesday
morning declaring that he had gone as
far as he could. that the cars instruc-
tions would not permit him to dot an
other or cross another t. That was
figuratively speaking, Of course. He
was willing, however, to reimburse ia
pan for the care she had been taking
of Russian prisoners. Satisfied that
he had from Russia all that she was
willing to give Baron Komura unex-
pectedly announced the withdrawal Of
all the demands that were still at is
sue. and the problem was solved so
quickly that 1t was difficult to realize
what had happened.
Before leaving the conference build
ing. NJ. Witte exchanged fluctuations
with President Roosevelt and gave the
~resident credit for the glorious result
He frankly admitted that had 1t not
been for the friendly interest that the
president had shown in the whole af-
fair. no agreement would have ever
been reached. The Russians around
Portsmouth were jubilant. They had
made up their minds that there was
no other way for II than that the war
must be renewed and they were jubi-
liant.
The Japs with the exception OF
those actually engaged in the confer
ence seemed very much cast down at
first: but when the word went out that
the arrangement had been made In
strict accordance with the will of the
emperor they appeared to be satisfied
Absolute loyalty to and confidence In
their emperor is the most distinguish
ing characteristic of the Japanese
people and their loyalty and confidence
are so strong that If 1t had been an
nounced that Japan had agreed to
surrender back to Russia everything
that had been gained as the result of
the war; the probability Is that there
would not have been murmur.
Since peace was agreed upon there
has developed belief that Russia and
Japan are arranging a treaty Of al
lance that will bring the two nations
closer together than they have ever
been and ensure the continued control
and enjoyment of the whole north
eastern part Of Asia on terms alike
satisfactory and beneficial to both.