Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1905-09-15
Japanese Waive Indemnity and
Divide SakhaIin With the
Russian Government.
Sudden Conclusion Of Terms Between
Warning Nations Comes as Pleas
ing Surprise Just When II Looked
Most Gloomy for an Agree
ment.


bloody war between Japan and Russia
is ended. The terms OF peace were
agreed upon by M. Witte and Baron
Komura at the session OF the confer
ence Tuesday morning. and Tuesday
afternoon preliminary arrangements
for an armistice were concluded and
the actual work OF framing the treaty
OF Portsmouth" was by mutual agree
ment turned over to M. De Martens,
Russia's great international lawyer,
and Mr. Dennison, who for twenty-five
years has acted as the legal adviser
of the Japanese foreign Office.
This happy conclusion of the con-
ference, which week ago would have
been shipwrecked had it not been for
the heroic intercession of 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 is
sue.
Russia refused to bulge from the
'ultimatum Emperor Nicholas had CIV
en- to President Roosevelt through
ambassador Meyer. No indemnity I'M
der any guise, but an agreement to d.
vide Sakhalin and reimburse Japan
for the maintenance of prisoners
were his last words. They had been
repeatedly reiterated in M. Whites
and, in the form of
written reply to the Japanese COM
promise proposal of last week, they
were delivered to Baron Komura.
M. Witte feared a. rupture and as
stunned by what happened. Baron |
komura gave way on all the disputed |
points. With the prescience that has
enabled the Japanese to gauge the
mental processes of their adversaries
On the field of battle and upon the
,ea, they had realized in advance that
,eace could be obtained in no other
way. They had warned their govern
nent.
President Roosevelt had also, 1t is
advised Japan that it was
letter to meet the Russian position
han to, take the responsibility OF
ontinulng the war for the purpose OF
ollecting tribute. The mikado, at
he advice of the cabinet and elder
tatesmen. had sanctioned the final
oncession. When Baron Komura
lelded, the rest was mere child's
lay
Article 10 and IL (nterned warships '
nd the limitation OF Russia's sea
over In the far east) were with
-awn. Japan agreed that only that
,rtion of the Chinese Eastern rail-
lad south OF Chantfu, the position
,cupied by Oyama, should be ceded :
Japan. Both sides, once the dead '
ok was broken. wanted Just and a
sting" peace, and In that respect 1t a
as decided to neutralize Sakhalin,
oh country binding itself not to for
" its half OF the island. and Japan .
suming an obligation not to fortify !,
Perouse strait. between Sakhalin =
d Hokkaido. which would bar Rus =
rs commercial route to the Pacific.
The Observation-Disclosures went further,
ley decided to add new clause in
e nature of broad provision for II
itual commercial privileges by .,
itch each country will secure for :.
9 other the benefit of the most M
gored nation clause and the open !"
or" ie
The new treaty, therefore, will be I'd
friendly document of W
aracter almost to raise the sus- u'
lion that the two countries have not Z.
gotiated peace. but have concluded | ~
} basis of future alliance. There ~
however, no evidence. as rumored, Nj
It any secret clauses are to be APP
nded to the present treaty.
Before leaving the conference build
fluctuations were exchanged with d.
, president at Oyster Bay Both ~
ron Komura and M. Witte tele- w
.phed. The former confined him 60
to apprisir2 Mr.. Roosevelt of the pa
editions upon which peace had az
IN concluded. NJ White frankly ~
1 his tribute at the presidents feet. ~.
his message he said ns
History will ascribe TO YOU the ~
ry. "and added the expression of ~.
ssia's hearty appreciation of the an
sident's generous initiative" -,
Roosevelt replied with words of "a,
INKS and congratulstion-