The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-08-31
Peace Declared,
THE LONG AND BLOODY WAR ENDED
BETWEEN JAPAN AND RUSSIA.


THE LONG AND BLOODY WAR ENDED
BETWEEN JAPAN AND RUSSIA
The long and bloody war between
japan and Russia is ended. The terms
of peace were settled by M Witte and
Baron komura at the session of the con-
ference, Tuesday morning, and the same
afternoon, preliminary arrangements for
an armistice were concluded and the
actual work Of framing the Treaty of
Portsmouth" was by mutual agreement
turned over to NJ. de Martens, the great
Russian international lawyer, and Mr.
Den nison, who for twenty-five years, has
acted as the legal advisor of the Japan
csc foreign Office The treaty is expect
ed to be completed by the end of this
week
This happy conclusion of the confer
ence, which, a week ago, would have
been shipwrecked had it not been for
the heroic ntercession of President
Roosevelt, was sudden and dramatic.
For the sake of Peace, Japan, with the
magnsnimity of victor at the last
moment, yielded everything still in is
sue
Russia refused to bulge from the ul-
timatum Emperor Nicholas had given
to President Roosevelt through Am.
bassador Meyer. No indemnity under
any guise, but an agreement to divide
Sakhaln and reimburse Japan for the
maintenance of the Russian prisoners,
were his last words which have been
repeatedly reiterated in Nj. Whites in
structions and in the form of a written
reply to the Japanese compromise pro-
posal. Wednesday of last week, they
were delivered to Baron Komura Tues
day morning.
NJ. Witte went to the conference de-
claring he was powerless to change the
dot OF an "i'' or the cross of "t'
in his Instructions. Emperor Nicholas
word had been given not only TO him,
but to President Roosevelt, the head of
a foreign state. When Baron Komura
therefore, first offered the new basis of
compromise, the complete remuneration
of indemnity coupled with proposition
for the redemption of Sakhslin at a
price to be fixed by a mixed tribunal
consisting of representatives of the neu-
trial powers-in fact, If not in words, the
solution offered by President Roosevelt,
NJ. Witte again returned a non possumus.
With the pre- science that has enabled
the Japanese to guage the mental pro-
cesses of their adversaries on the
field of battle and upon the sea they had
realized in advance that peace could be
obtained in no other way. They had
warned their government. President
Roosevelt had also, it is believed, adj
vised Japan that it was better to meet
the Russian position than to take the
responsibility of continuing the war for
the purpose of collecting tribute. The
Mikado at the session of the cabinet
and elder statesmen, Tuesday, had sane
toned the final concession.
When Baron Komura yielded the
rest was mere child's play. Articles 10
and II (interned warships and the limi-
taton of Russia's sea power in the Far
East were withdrawn. Japan agreed
that portion of the Chinese Eastern Rail.
road south of Chantafu, the position oc-
cupied by Oyama, should be coded to
Japan.
Both sides once the deadlock was
broken, wanted a "just and lasting"
peace and in that spirit, it was decided
to practically neutralize Sakhalin, each
country binding itself not to fortify its
half of the island and Japan assuming
an obligation not to fortify the La Pc
rouse strait between Sakhalin and Hak-
koldo which would bar Russia's COM
mercial route to the Pacific.
The plenipotentiaries went further.
They decided to add new clause in the
nature of a road provision for muta!
commercial privileges by which each
country will secure for the benefit of
the "most favored nation clause "open
door,. The new treaty will therefore
be a wonderfully friendly document of
a character almost to raise the sus
picion that the two countries have not
negotiated peace but have concluded
the basis of nature alliance. There
is, however, no evidence as rumored
that any secret clauses are to be append
ed to the present treaty.
Before leaving the conference build
ing fluctuations were exchanged with
the President at Oyster Bay. Both
Baron Komura and NJ. witte telegraphed.
The former confined himself to apprising
Mr.. Roosevelt of the condition upon
which peace had been concluded. Mr..
Witte, more expansive, frankly laid his
tribute at the Presidents feet. II his
message, he said:
History will ascribe to you the
glory for the peace of Portsmouth" and
adding the expression of Russias hearty
appreciation of the Presidents generous
initiative Mr.. Roosevelt replied with
words of thanks and congratulation.