Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-08-19
LOOKS LIKE PEACE.
Russians Agree to First Three
of Japan's Demands.
N. WlTTE HEARS NEW YORK JEWS
Oscar strnus and other Prominent
Hebrews Talk with Cars EN-
voys en- Conditions In That
Monarch's Empire.


PORTSMOUTH, Aug. 15.-The first
three articles Of Japan's demands ON
Russia were discussed and disposed of
by the peace commission. These arti-
Giles relate to Japan's protectorate over
Korea and the cession of the Liautong
peninsula. The outlook for the signing
of treaty is regarded as much more
hopeful.
III. White upon his return to the hotel
from the conference at the navy yard
before his conference with the Jewish
deputation from New York city author
lied the statement that he did not in
tend to discuss the question of a loan
or money matters at the conference.
Oscar Straus shortly after his arrival
at the hotel made the following state
ment regarding his mission:
I'VE have come here on very simple
mission. A conference was arranged
by Nj. White, who desired to confer
with US regarding the condition Of
Jews in Russia and to discuss with
him how best to improve this condi-
ton and to give them the same rights
as other Russian subjects have. This
Is In no way involved with any finan-
cial question. 1t is purely and simply a
question of humanity and the belief on
our part that equal rights among all
the subjects of Russia will promote the
best interests of that empire.
81 would further say that the Rus
sian Jewish question must be settled
in Russia. Emigration, no matter how
large it may be, can only affect the
outer surface. NJ Witte, / have UNI
derstood, has seen with his own eyes
while in this country the progress that
has been made among the Russian
emigrants to America, and what he has
seen cannot fail to have an influence
upon him in indicating the way to
make the Russian Jews helpful in the
upbuilding of that empire.
II regard the whole question as a
very simple one. 1t only involves Civ
ing all the subjects of the emperor
equal rights. That | regard as fun
damental."
Mr. Straus was unwilling to speak
Of the specific programme which the
delegation might suggest to NJ. Witte
for the improvement of the condition
Of the Jews In Russia.
1t seems to be taken for granted
among the attaches of both the Japa-
nese and Russian missions that there
will be no general battle in Manchuria
while the peace negotiations are on.
Oyama is known to be prepared to
strike the moment they fail, and there
may be more or less sJlirmishing and
outpost engagements while the troops
are getting in position, but it is admit
ted on each side that if either Oyama
or Linevitch should deliberately bring
on general engagement which might
cost $1,000 or 100000 lives his country
would be accused of bad faith in the
negotiations here and would inevitably
lose prestige in the eyes of the world.
In the larger sense, therefore, 1t can
be said that an armistice already ex-
lists in Manchuria. Should the negotia-
tons be vainly prolonged and it be-
come evident that they are to be fruit
less the advance of Oyama or, Line
Witch might be the signal for the final
rupture. The unexpected attack on
Port Arthur might be repeated below
Hardin.