The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1905-08-16
PEACE CONFERENCE STRIKES J
sNAG WHEN cEssIoN OF SAX.
HALIN is REACHED.
PRECEDING ARTICLE DISPOSED OF.
RELATES TO SURRENDER OF RUS.
SIAN LEASES ON THE LAO.
TUNG PENINSULA.


Bideration by the Russian and Japa-
nese plenipOtentiaries was agreed on
during the forenoon sitting of the
peace conference. Consideration was
also given to article 5, but in the
course Of discussion difference Of
views developed and it was decided
to take note of the opposing opinions
and proceed to the consideration of
other articles. The following is the
Official announcement of the morning
session:
AT the morning sitting the confer
ence discussed articles 4 and 5. Art
icle was unanimously agreed to-.
Not being able to arrive at unani-
mous decision on article 5 the pleni-
potentiaries have decided to take note
of the divergence of views and to pro-
ceed to the discussion of the other
articles"
Article 4 relates to the surrender of
Russian leases on the Liaotung PENN
sula and article 5, which was passed
over on account of differences. to the
cession of Sakhalin island to Japan.
Opening Work of Conference.
When the plenipotentiaries again
faced each other in the morning the
first business, before taking up article
4, was the reading and signing of the
protocols of the pervious days pro
ceedings, including the draft Of the
three articles agreed on and the min
utes of the discussion: The Asso,
ciated Press is now able to state au-
thoritatively from both sides that the
twelve articles now before them con-
stitute the basis of prospective
'treaty Of Washington" but as the
wording is subject to revision it does
not, as accepted, necessarily establish
the final text.
The Associated Press is informed
that, while covering the surrender OF
the lease Of the Liaotung peninsula
and the Blonde and Elliott islands,
which are included in the leasehold
article 4 does not touch Port Arthur
and Dalny, which are covered in a
separate article. Japan, it is under
stood, insists, at least for the present,
on the occupation Of these two points.
The question Of Russian government
and private property will probably be
dealt with by mixed commissions, as
is customary at the conclusion of a
war when fortified cities pass from
the jurisdiction of one country to an
other.
Wtte Acts on Instructions.
There is what is regarded as an alb
solutely certain warrant for the state
ment that M. Witte is not referring
the questions regarding the various
articles to ST. Petersburg or Peterhof
All that he has done thus far has
been in pursuance of his own deci-
sions, although he is advising his SOW
ereign, post factO, of what is done.
But as to the two main propositions,
if the time should ever arrive when,
in his judgment, concession should be
made on either, it can be regarded as
certain that he would consult the en-
peror before committing himself In
his interviews with the emperor be-
fore he left ST. Petersburg he learned
and shared the view of the ruler that
peace was impossible for Russia on
the basis of indemnity or cession of
territory and in all his public and pri-
vate utterances he continues to hold
an absolutely uncompromising attitude
on those points.
All indications from the Japanese
side show also that Baron Komura is
equally firm and that the payment of
the "cost Of the war and the cession
of Sakhalin" are conditions sine qua
non. A suggestion is made that when
Baron komura ascertained from M.
Whites reply the Russian non possu-
mus on these articles he decided to
begin the consideration of the articles
seriatim in order to have time to
communicate with his government and
secure its final word.