The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-09-01
Gives Brief Sketch Of Peace
Negotiations
EMPEROR COULD NOT YIELD
Insisted All the Time That Discussions
Need Not Continue Unless the
Indemnity Was
Waived.

st. Petersburg, August a.-The gov
eminent has issued the following procla-
nation explaining the course of the peace
negotiations;
I'm the month of June the Emperor
consented to accept the proposition OF
President Roosevelt for conference OIL
Russian and Japanese plentpotentlaries'
In order to ascertain how far 1t was
possible for the two powers to determine
conditions of peace. This important mis-
sion was entrusted to M Witte and Baron
de Rosen who received full powers by vir-
tue of which they could In the event OF
the acceptablity of the Japanese pro-
posals, proceed to the conclusion of
treaty of peace 1t was mutually agreed
that the negotiations should take place
In American territory
''The first interview between the plen-
ipotentiaries took place on August II, at
Oyster Bay, and the conference opened
on August 10, at Portsmouth. At the Sec
ond sitting the Japanese plenipotentiaries
presented the conditions of peace as elab-
Grated at Toxic.
considering that several of these con-
ditions were absolutely unacceptable ac-
cording to the instructions given the Rus
sian plenipotentiaries and that the work.
ing of the other conditions were interpret
able as a detriment to Russian interests.
M. witte proposed detailed discussion of
each point separately.
Asked further instructions.
Having devoted several sitVngs there
to, the Russian plenipotentiaries came to
the conclusion that an agreement was
unattainable upon four points, whereupon
the Japanese plenipotenHaries declared
their willingness to ask for supplementary
Instructions with the view of finding
conciliatory outcome to the serious diff
ficulties that had arisen.
After communicating with Toxic the
Japanese plenipotentiaries intimated that
they renounced first, the question of linn
itation of the Russian naval force in
the far east and secondly the demand for
the surrender of the interned warships.
but they continued to demand the cession
of the island of Sakhalin and especially
the payment of an indemnity.
In accordance with instructions they
had received the Russian plenipotentiarles
positively rejected these last demands
declaring that they could not continue
t. discuss the other conditions of peace
II Japan continued to insist on the pay
ment of the expenses Of the war.
Taking into consideration that such a
state of the negotiations could only lead
to rupture, President Roosevelt decided
to address himself to the Emperor
through Ambassador Meyer, appealing to
his majesty's humanitarian sentiments
and asking that he consent to accept a
no n mar nt.o In, ,fIa ~,
further bloodshed. This proposal was that
Russia, In view of the actual position
of Sakhalin, on account of the Japanese
descent on the island. agree to cede to
Japan the southern part belonging to her
up to 1876, the northern part to be re-
turned to Russia in consideration Of the
payment of 1.2O0.OOO00O yen (about $780,
000, ,000).
Emperor Could Not Agree.
I'm expressing to President Roosevelt
his gratitude for the efforts he made in
restoring peace, his majesty said he could
not find 1t possible to accept the afore-
mentioned proposals which were de facto
equivalent to the payment of an indemn-
ity.
THE Japanese plenipotentlaries were
informed of his maJestys decision by the
Russian envoys and they announced at
the sitting of August 29 that according
to instructions from their government,
Japan renounced her demand for the
reimbursement of the expenses of the
war, but adhered to her claim for the
southern part Of Sakhalin, undertaking
not to take military precautions therein,
not TO construct Notifications, and to
keep La Pefouse strait open.
Thus after the above had been instert-
ed In the Hotocol, the sittlngs OF the
tArp altaaf fn1
as regards the preliminary questions look
ing to peace which will serve as the
basis OF a final treaty of peace between
Russia and Japan."