The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-09-08
Russia and Japan Have Conclud-
ed a Treaty of Peace.
JAPAN GAVE ALL UP
Rather Than Continue the War. Witte
Was Greatly Surprised at the Gen.
erous Action of the Japs
in Accepting the Terms
Submitted by Him.

The long and bloody war between
Russia and Japan came to an ahonora.
BILE end at Portsmouth, N. H., on
Tuesday, August 20, when the two
nations agreed to terms OF peace
through their commissioners, which
had been negotiating for about ten
days at Portsmouth.
The terms Ct peace were settled by
Mr.. Witte and Baron KOmura at the
session of the conference Tuesday
morning, and Tuesday afternoon pre-
liminary arrangements for an armis-
tice were conclud I'd and the actual
work of framing the '"TreaGy Of
Portsmouth" was, by mutual agree.
mont, turned over to Mr.. De Martens,
Russia's great international lawyer,
and Mr.. DennlsUn, who for 25 years
has acted as the legal advisor OF the
Japanese foreign ofllcc.
This happy conclusion Of the con-
ference, which week ago would have
been shipwrecked had 1t not been for
the heroic intercession CT President
Roosevelt, was sudden and dramatic.
For the sake Of peace, Japan, with
the magnanimity OF a victor, at the
last moment yielded everything still
in issue. Russia refused to bulge
from the ultimaLum Emperor Nicho-
las had given to President Roosevelt,
through Ambassador Meyer, No In
demnity under any guise, but an
agreement TO divide Sakhalin and re.
imburSe Japan for the maintenance OF
1,io In OF
words. They had been repeatedly
reiterated In Mr.. W3tte's instructions
and in the form Of q written reply to
the japanese compromise proposal
they were delivered to Baron Koruna
Tuesday morning.
Mr.. 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
y enhStc} }APrssldent Roosevelt. the head
OF q foreign state. When Baron Ko-
mura, therefore, first offered the new
basis OF compromise which was the
complete remuneration Of indemnity,
coupled With a proposition for the re-
demption OF Sakhalin at a price to be
fixed by mixed tribunal, consisting
of representatives of the neutral
powers, in fact If not in words, the
solution offered By President Roose
velt. Mr.. Witte again returned a
non possumuS. 1t was what Mr.
Witte termed In his interview with
the Associated Press, the "psycholog.
ical moment"
Mr.. Witte did not finch. lie ex
pected lupture and as he expresse d
1T aftefward, he was stunned by what
happened. Baron Komura gave way
on all the disputed points. With the
precience that has enabled the Japa
nese to judge the mental process es OF
their adversaries on the tinld OF battle
ana upon the sea, they Ead rtaiz I'd in
advance that peace could be obtained
IN noothtr way. They had warned
their governments. President Roose
velt, had also, IL Is fei.oYed, aGvi ed
Japan that 1t was better to eet the
Russian position than to take the
responsibility OF continuing the war
Tor the purpose OF collecting tribute
The mikado at the SO sion OF the
cabinet and the clder statesmen Mon
DAY, had sanctioned the final conces.
sion. When Baron komura yielded,
the rest was mere Chi ds play.
Articles 10 and IL, Onterncd war
ships and the limitation Of Russia 5
sea power In the far easi) were with,
drawn. Japan agreed that only that
portion OF the Chinese E stern rail
road south Of Chantufu, the position
occupied by Oyama, should bc ceded
to Japan. Beth sides, once the dead,
lock was broken, wanted lust and
lasting" peace, and in that spirit 1t
was decided TO practically neutralize
Sakhalln, each country binding itself
not to fortify its half Of the island,
and Japan assuming an obligation not
to fortify the La Perouse Strait, be
tween Sakhalin and Hokkaido, which
would bar Russia Is commercial route
to the Pacific.
The plenipotcntiaries went further
They decided to add new clause, iT
the nature Of a bread provision fol
mutual commercial privileges by
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 q
wonderfully friendly document, o
character ain ost to raise the suspicion
that the two countries have not ne
gotlated peace, but have concluded
the basis OF q future alliance. There
Is, however, no evidence, as rumored
that any secret clauses are to be ap
nncd to the present treaty.
Before leaving the conference build
ing fellcitations were exchanged Witl
the president at Oyster Bay. Boil
Baron K0mura and Mr. Witte tele
graphed. The former confined him
self to appraising Mr.. Roosevelt o
the conditions upon which peace hat
been concluded. Mr.. White frankl!
laid his tribute at the presidents feet
In his message he said:
History will ascribe to you tn
glory" and added The expression 0
Russias hearty appreciation Of TIN
Presidents generous initiative"
Mr.. Roosevelt replied with words o
thanks and congratuatiOn.
Then began the jubllation. Mr.
Witte ar q Baron DE lt2sen returned
to the hotel for luncheon. The ia
paneso had remained at the confer
ence hail to lunch with Mr.. Pierce
The news that peace had been con
Guided had preceded d the Russian plen
ip0tentlaries and such scenes OF will
rejoicing have never before been wit
messed In the state Of New Hampsnir