New-York tribune., 1905-08-30
CROWD WILD FOR WITTE.
Remarkable Scenes at the Hotel
When EnUOus Return.

Portsmouth. y. H, Aug. 29-Not until NJ
Witte arrived at the hotel with Baron Rosen
shortly after 1 o'clock and received one of the
most enthusiastic greetings ever accorded a for
eigner in this country did the guests in the
hotel know the terms of peace. For half an
hour the crowd awaited the arrival of NJ. witte
Word had come that he and Baron Rosen were
returning to the hotel for luncheon. but that the
Japanese mission would remain at the navy
yard.
BY the time the big automobile bringing the
Russian peacemakers dashed up TO the front of
their headquarters the veranda was crowded
with three hundred people. The crowd met the
ENJOYS before they had climbed the stairs and
began the mighty cheer that did not die until NJ
witte had entered his apartments on the second
floor and sunk into armchair. moved almost
to tears and completely overcome by the in
spiration of the moment. the conflicting emo
tions produced by the momentous events at the
navy yard and the demonstration which greeted
him on his arrival at the hotel
Bravo! Bravo!" the crowd cried In their
mad enthusiasm the people rushed to the edge
of the veranda, and met the fifty or more VINO
had been watching at the corner to give the
signal of the ENJOYS arrival. Both NJ. witte and
Baron Rosen lifted their hats.
The occasion was ali enthusiasm too solemn
for them TO do more than respectfully bow their
heads.
Then NJ. witte started shaking the out
stretched hands. 1t takes some little time IN
shake the hands of several hundred people. par
ticularly when OF the number are no
content with the honor Of this kind Refors
NJ. Witte had passed up the stairway leading tn
his apartments the crowd began crying What
about indemnity; how much did Russia payY''
The word Indemnity brought NJ Witte 70 >,
hal tha first
ing TO the crowd. deliberately and with that
commanding force which has made his Dar-
sonality the most potent factor In the peacA
negotiations, the great man of Russia fairly
snapped back at his questioners Pas un sou.
('Not a cent?.
The ring OF pride In his voice told the crow,
that NJ. Witte had won his victory He came To
Portsmouth declaring stoutly that he would nor
lay an indemnity in any shape or form. He had
made good his word. The words brought an
other cheer
Forcing his way through the crowd NJ witts
met the members OF the Russian mission who
rushed forward 20 shake hands. Briefly he gave
them the joyful tidings Then. he started up
the stairs. he said 10 another inquirer who muir
INJURED the word indemnify
We pay not kopeck OF indemnity" he re-
piled as he turned at the landing. half way up
the stairs. We get half OF Saghalien. That is
the agreement in nutshell"
The Associated Press correspondent accOmpa-
MED Nj. Witte to his room. He had been quite
overcome by his reception and the intense
strain he had been under. He threw himself
into his armchair. and. after few moments to
pull himself together" he began 10 speak
slowly and delberately-almost If he We're
talking TO himself. He said:
II seems incredible. he said. 1 do not believe
any other man In my place would have dared
10 hope for the possibility OF peace on the condi-