The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-09-06
OVER At LAST.
Russia and Japan Have Conclud-
ed a Treaty of Peace.
JAPAN GAVE ALL UP

Rstber Than Continue the War. Witt'
Was Greatly Surprised at the Cen
ereus Action Of the Japs
in Accepting the Terms
Submitted by Him.
The long and bloody war between
Russia and Japan came to an :honora
bic end at Portsmouth, n. e., or
Tuesday, August 30, when the SWc
nations agreed 60 terms Ct peace
through their commissioners, which
had been negotiating for about ter
days at Portsmouth.
The terms CT peace were settled oJ
MI. Witte and Baron Komura at the
session OF tie conference Tuesday
morning, and Tuesday afternoon pre-
liminary arrangements for an arms:
tice were conclud:d and the actual
work Of framing the Treaty OF
Portsmouth was, by mutual agree
ment, turned over to Mr.. De Martens,
Russia's great international lawyer,
and Mr.. DsnnisCn, who for 25 years
has acted as the legal advisor OF the
japanese foreign cflce.
This happy conclusion OF the con-
ference, which week ago would have
been shipwrecked haG it not been 1or
the heroic intercesS!on Ct President
Roosevelt, was sudden and dramatic
For the sake OF peace, Japan, with
the msgnanimity Of q victor, at the
last moment yielded everything still
in issue. Russia refused to bucge
from the ultinatun Emperor N!cho-
las had given 70 President Roosevelt,
through Ambassador Meyer, No in
demnity Under any guise, but an
agreement to divide Sakhalin and re-
imburse Japan for the maintenance OF
the Russian prisoners were bis last
words. They had been repeatedly
reiterated in Mr.. Whites instructions
and in the form OF z written reply to
the japanese compromise proposal,
they were delivered to Baron Koruna
Tuesday morning.
Mr.. Witte went to the conference
declaring be was powerless to change
the dot Of an i, or the cross OF in
bis instructions. Emperor Nicholas
word had been given, not only to him
but to President Roosevelt, the head
OF foreign state. When Baron Ko-
mura, therefore, first offered the new
basis OF compromise which was the
complete renunciation OF indemnity,
coupled with proposition for the re-
6empt!on of Sakhalin at price to be
fixed by mixed tribunal, consisting
Of representatives Of the neutra!
powers, in fact il not in words, tie
solution cfered by President Roose-
velt. Mr.. Witte again returned a
non possunus. It was what Mr..
Witte termed in his interview with
the Associated Press, the "pSycholog
ical moment"
Mr.. Witte did not finch. he ey.
pected rupture ard as be expressed
it afterward, he was stunned By what
happened. Baron Komura gave way
on all the disputed points. With the
precience that has enabled the Japa
nese to judge the mental processes Of
their a6verSaries on the field Of battle
and upon the sea, they had rsa!:z,d IN
advance that peace could be obtained
in no other way. They had warned
their governments. President r oose
velt, haG also, it Is teiteveo, advi.eo
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 mika6o at the session Of the
cabinet and the elder statesmen Mon
day, had sanctioned the final conces.
sion. When Baron konura yielded,
the rest was mere chii0's play.
Articles 10 and II, Qnterned war-
ships and the limitation OF Russia's
sea power in the far east were with
drawn. Japan agreed that only that
portion OF the Chinese E stern rail.
road south OF Coantufu, the position
occupied by Oyama, should be cedeo
to Japan. Both sides, once the dead
lock was broken, wanted 'just and
lasting" peace, and in that spirit it
was decided to practically neutrslize
Sakhal!n, each country binding itself
not to fortify its halt OF the island,
and Japan assuming an obligation not
to fortify the L. Psrcuse Strait, be.
tween Sakhalin and Hokkaido, which
would bar Russia's commercial route
to the Pacific.
The p!enipotentisries went further.
They decided to add 3 new clause, il
the nature Of bread provision tol
mutual ccmnercial privileges, by
which each country will secure ]or the
other the benefit OF the most favored
nation clause" and tie open door ;
The new treaty, therefore, will be
wonderfully friendly document, o.
character almost to raise the suspicion
that the two c.uotries have rot ne
aotiated peace, but have concluded
the basis OF fu:u-e alliance. Ther'
Is, however, no evidence, as rumored
that any secret clauses are to be ap
perde6 10 the present treaty.
Before leaving the conference build
Inc felicitat!cDs we're exchanged witt
the president al O:ster Bay. Bosl
Baron Konura and Mr.. Wit:e tsle
g:aphed. The former confined him
self to apprsissng Mr.. Roosevelt Q
the conditions upon which peace "a
beeu concluded. Mr.. Witte frank
laid his tribute at the presidents feet
In his message he said:
isElssory will ascribe to you tn
gl2ry," and added The expression 9
RDssia's hearty appreciation OF th
presidents generous initiative.
~ q osaya't reoiieC with words {