The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-01-05

ST. Petersburg, Jan. BIN diplomatic
circles, where there is every reason to
believe there is the best information re-
garding the plans Of the japanese, it is
stated that the fall of Port Arthur Will
be promptly followed by an offer of peace
from Japan. 1t is understood that a
strong effort will be made to have the
offer come through President Roosevelt.
1t is ever suggested that the terms might
include an arrangement which would
give Russia an outlet through the Per-
sian gulf. There is. however, no indi-
cation as to whether an effort to induce
President Roosevelt to move in the mat
ter would be likely to succeed. 1t GER
tainly is regarded as unlikely that such
a suggestion should come through the
United States unless the president has
the strongest previous intimation that
it would be favorably considered by the
Russian government. 1t may be added
that while it is known that Emperor
Nicholas from TIE beginning regarded
the war with great adherence, there is
nothing yet to indicate that his govern
ment intends to recede from the pro-
gramme Of fighting to a finish, which has
repeatedly been announced.
Liberal Terms.
Toxic, Jan. 3.-It is believed here
that the Port Arthur garrison has re-
ceived liberal terms. There is a gen
eral disposition to be magnanimous, in
view of the garrison's marvellous de-
Tense. The public has not been in
formed Of the result of the meeting OF
the capitulation commissioners at
loon Monday, but it was believed that
the terms had already been agreed
upon. In military circles the opinion
was expressed that the discussion COW
cred only a few questions, including
allowing the garrison to march out
carrying their arms, permitting the
garrison to return to Russia with or
without their officers, and requiring
their parole not to take any further
part in the war. 1t is possible that
Japan will permit the entire garrison
to return to Russia with arms upon
giving their parole.
The Correspondence.
Toxic, Jan. 3.-Gen. Nogi reports as
follows: AT five in the afternoon,
January /, the enemy's bearer of a flag
of truce came into the first line OF our
position south of Shuishiyeng and
handed a letter to our officers. The same
reached me at nine o'clock at night. The
letter is as follows:
Judging by the general condition of
i tho vyhn1a linz IF hncfi1a nncifinns hnld
by you I find further resistance at Port
Arthur useless and for the purpose OF
preventing needless sacrifice of lives |
propose to hold negotiations with refer
ence to capitulation. Should you con
sent to the same you will please appoint
| commissioners for discussing the order
and conditions regarding ~capitulation
and also appoint a place for such com
sioners to meet the same appointed
by me.
~ take this opportunity to convey to
| your excellency assurances of my re-
spect.
(Signed) "'STOESSEL.'
Shortly after dawn to-day | will
dispatch our bearer of a flag of truce with
the following reply addressed to Stoes-
sci: Iii.
"'I have the honor to reply to your
proposal to hold negotiations regarding
the conditions and order " capitulation.
For this purpose l have appointed as
commissioner Maj. Gen. Ijicni, chief of
staff of our army. He will be accom-
| panied by some staff officers and civil
officials. They will meet your commits
sioners January 2, noon, at Shuishiyeng.
The comm i%ssioners of both parties will
be empowered to sign a convention for
| the capituIation without waiting for rat
iicatioa and aus the same to take i'm
mediate effect. Authorization for such
plenary powers shall be signed by the
highest officer of both the negotiating
parties, and the same shall be exchanged
by the respective commissioners.
"I avail myself Of this opportunity
to convey to your exceIlency assurances
of my respect.
(signed) "NoGI.'"
From the Mikado.
Toxic, Jan. 3.-MarshaI Yamagata.
chief Of general staff, under orders from
the emperor, dispatched the following
cablegram to Gen. Nogi:
When l respectfully informed his
majesty of Gen. Stoessel's proposal for
capitulation, his majesty was pleased to
state that Gen. Stoessel has rendered
comniendable service to his country in
the midst of diaiculties, and it is his
majesty's wish that military honors be
shown to him."
Announces Capitulation.
Toxic, Jan. 3.-The text of Gen. Nogi's
telegram announcing the capitulation Of
the Russian forces at Port Arthur is as
follows:
THE plenipotentiaries of both parties
concluded their negotiations to-day
at 4;30 O'Clock. The Russian commits
sioners accepted on the whole the con-
ditions stipulated by us and consented
to ~capitulate. The document has been
prepared and signatures are now being
affixed. simultaneously with the con-
clusion of negotiations both armies sus-
uondad hactilifiec II ic aynanfad thai