Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-21
WAIT FOR THE WORD
Situation of Peace Conference
at Portsmouth.
FATE IN ROYAL HANDS
DECISION RESTS WITH BOTH
BELLIGERENT RULERS.
ENJOYS at Work on Protocols Giving
Reasons of Each Side for Divers
ity of Views.


PORTSMOUTH n. H.. August 21.-This
would have been an ideal day to negotiate
peace. 1t is an even peasanter day to bask
In the warm sunshine on the veranda and
this is what many of the attaches of both
missions are doing. The principals, how
ever Baron Komura and Mr. Takahira and
NJ. Witte, have no time for recreation.
Before breakfast this morning NJ. Witte
although he was not feeling well. was hard
at work. and he scarcely stopped while
breakfast served to him in his room.
Baron de Rosen had not returned from
Magnolia.
No plans for either mission have been
announced today. but as both are expect
ing cablegrams from their home govern
ments, which may decide the fate of the
negotiations, 1t is unlikely that they Will go
far from the hotel today
The Dolphin has received orders to sail
Tor Boston. and will probably get under
way this morning. 1t is assumed here that
later she Will return here, in case the en-
Voys, upon the conclusion of their labors
wish to return to New York by water
The Mayfower will remain throughout
the conference.
Protocols Almost Ready.
Both the Russians and Japanese have al
most finished the preparation of the pro-
tocols to be submitted at the meeting of
the conference tomorrow afternoon.
The features of the protocols is the pre-
sentation of the reasons advanced by both
sides for the diversion of views upon the ar
ucles upon which no agreement was reach
ed. On article five, the cesson of Sakha-
lin, the japanese claim that they are en-
titled TO the island well by reason of
their national rights to its possession as
because of its present occupation by the
japanese forces. The Russians on the con-
trary insist that up to 1880 Japan had
never claimed any right 10 Sakhalin, and
at that time only twenty-five unmarried
japanese lived in the south of the island
during the fishing season
Admiral Peoutiaine opened the eyes of
the japanese TO the value of Sakhalin when
he went there in 1854 and initiated negotia-
tlons for the possession of the entire island
by Russia.
1t was then that Japan in order to make
good her claims tried to colonize the island
and stated thai the Aino race which lives
there belonged to the same family as the
original inhabitants of the northern islands
of Japan.
In 1859 Mouravieff, governor general of
Amur, tried to persuade Japan to yield in
her claim to the south part of Sakhain.
but did not succeed as the Americans had
already begun TO support the japanese in
their attitude against Russia.
Japanese and Sakhalin.
The reports of all the Russian consuls
In Sskhalin up to the year 1870 stated
that the Japanese effort TO colonize the
Island had failed because of the rigorous
climate. The negotiations between Rus
sia and Japan started in 1875 and continued
for twenty years, ending with the treaty of
1919, by which the sovereignty of Russia
over the whole island was recognized
With regard to article .. the protocol re-
peats the arguments already set forth sew
eral times in the Associated Press dis
patches. The Japanese claim reimburse
ment for the expenses of the war on the
ground that they We're forced by Russla's
aggressiOns 10 resort to arms for seIf-pres
ervation, and having been victorious at all
points on sea and land are entitled TO re-
endorsement.
lutely that Japan is in a position to dictate
such condition, as Russia does not ac-
knowledge defeat and appeared at the con-
ference not imploring mercy, but because or
her love of peace and her willingness TO
conclude honorable basis.
Russia and Indemnity.
Russia declares that claim for Indemnity
under the circumstances is unprecedented
and reviews the historical occasions where
indemnity was paid in support of her con-
tentionS. Most OF these precedents have
already been made public in connection with
recent Associated Press interview with
Mr.. Martens. The protocol also states
that Russia throughout her history has
never paid a war indemnity, not even when
Napoleon the Great invaded the Muscovite
empire in 1912 and occupied Moscow.
With regard to article 10 Che interned
warshipsj, Japan insists that the surrender
of interned warships which have sought
refuge in neutral ports as a spoil of war Is
not contrary to international law.
Russia, however, asserts that internation-
al law affords no precedent for claim for
the possession of property in the safe keep
ing of neutrals.
al liN Will a pIe 1 ~ ha lin,
itation of the Russian naval power in the
far easD. the japanese assert that ii is in
dispensable 10 insure a lasting peace.
Offensive to Russian Honor.
Russia rejects the whole idea as being
offensive TO Russian honor and dignity.
While declining, however, TO place such an
article in treaty she is willing to make
declaration that she has no intention of at
tempting to threaten the naval position of
Japan or of any other power in the far east
NJ. Witte left his apartments in the hotel
annex about noon today and came to the
palm garden on the veranda, where ne spent
some time chatting with Baron de Rosen,
who had just arrived from Magnolia. AS
the distinguished Russian appeared in the
garden all those seated around the tables
arose and remained standing until NJ. Witte
had settled himself in comfortable chair
in shady corner of the veranda.
As he passed down the veranda NJ. Witte
stopped to shake hands with several and
ne acknowledged the other greetings by lift
ing his hat. AS soon as il became known
that NJ. Witte was in the palm garden all
the tables were soon surrounded by guests
of the hotel who never lose an opportunity
to get sight OF him. AS NJ. Witte left the
garden the spectators again respectfully
arose he passed.
Baron ROsen spends most of his leisure
time reading the newspapers in the garden
but this is the first time that NJ Witte has
appeared there during the day.