New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-01
HOW RUSSIA FOUND PEACE
Government Explains Course OF the
Conference.

ST. Petersburg, Aug. 31-The government has
issued the following communication explaining
the course of the peace negotiations:
In the month of June the Emperor consented
to accept the proposition of President RooseVelt
for a conference of Russian and Japanese pieni.
potentiaries in order to ascertain how far II
was possible for the two powers to determine
conditions of peace. This important mission
was entrusted to NJ White and Baron Rosen.
who received full powers by virtue of which
they could in the event Of the acceptability OF
the Japanese proposals, proceed to the conclu-
sion of a treaty of peace. It was mutually
agreed that the negotiations should take place
in American territory.
The first interview between the plenpoten-
tiaries took place at Oyster Bay on August Z,
and the conference opened at Portsmouth on
August 9. At the second sitting the Japanese
plenipotentiaries presented the conditions or
peace elaborated at Toxic.
Considering that several of these conditions
were absolutely unacceptable, according to the
instructions given the Russian plenipotentaries.
and that the wording OF other conditions was
interpretable a detriment to Russian inter-
ests. NJ. Witte proposed a detailed discussion
of each point separately.
Having devoted several sittings thereto the
Russian plenipotentiaries came to the conclu-
sion that an agreement was unattalnabie on
four points. whereupon the japanese plenipo-
tentiaries declared their willingness to ask for
complementary instructions, with the view of
finding a conciliatory outcome to the serious
difficulties that had arisen.
After communicating with Toxic the Japan
csc plenipotentiaries intimated that they re-
Of the Russian naval force In the Far East
and. secondly, the demand for the surrender OF
the informed warships but they continued to
demand the cession of the island of Sanghalien
and especially the payment Of an indemnity.
In expressing to President Roosevelt his graft
tude for the efforts made to aid in restoring
peace, his majesty said he could not find it pos
sible to accept the aforementioned proposals,
which de facto equivalent to the payment
of indemnity
The Japanese plenipotentiaries We're informed
of his majesty's decision by the Russian pleni-
potentiaries, and they announced at the sitting
Of August 70 that, according to instructions
from their government, Japan renowned her de-
mand for the REIN bursement Of the expenses Of
the war. but adhered to her claim for the south
part of Saghaien, undertaking not to take
Notifications and to keep La Perouse Strait
open.
Thus, after the above had been inserted in the
protocol. the sittings of the plenpotentiaries
were terminated. SO far as regards the prelim-
mary questions looking to peace, which will
serve the basis of final treaty of peace be-
tween Russia and Japan.
In accordance with the instructions they had
received the Russian plenipotentiares positively
rejected these last demands. declaring that they
could not continue to discuss the other condi-
tons of peace If Japan continued to insist on
the payment of the expenses of the war,
Taking into consideration that such state OF
the negotiations could only lead to rupture
to the Emperor through Ambassador Meyer. ap-
pealing to his majesty's humanitarian senti-
ments and asking that he consent to accept
new Japanese proposal in order to avoid further
bloodshed. This proposal was that Russia IN
view of the actual position of Sagaha]tsn on &C
count Of the Japanese descent on the island
agreed to cede to Japan the southern part be-
longing to her up to 1875. the northern part to
be returned to Russia in consideration OF the
payment of 1.2OO,0OO.00O yen about $500, 0OO.-
00O).