Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-18
PEACE ENJOYS
HARDATWORK
1t Now Begins to Look as Though
They Would be Able to Reach an
Agreement at Portsmouth,
RUSSIA YIELDS SEVERAL POINTS
Witte Says No Other Russian States.
Man Would Dare to Do What
He Has Done.

Portsmouth, Aug. 1.-THE pros.
poets of peace are distinctly brighter
! tonight. The plenipotentiaries are la
boring with a seriousness and earnest
ness which leaves not the slightest
doubt that both are anxious to con-
clude treaty. Though the main
points remain to be contested, and the
plenipotentiaries speak as though the
conference would go to pieces unless
the other gave way, the spirit of COM
promise is in the air. When he return
ed to the hotel tonight, NJ. Witte, who
was tired out with his hard days
| work, said:
i am doing all | can do for peace.
or the eight articles we have already
considered, l have yielded seven. No
other statesman in Russia would have
dared to do so much, and have done
what have done on my own response
bility.'
From an authoritative source it is
now possible to forecast with a fair
degree of accuracy that the crisis will
come on next Monday. Articles VII.
and WILL, dealing with the fate Of
the Chinese Eastern railway have been
disposed of today, there remains in
addition to the cession of Sakhalin,
which was passed over the question
OF indemnity which comes up tomor-
row as article TX, the limitation of
Russia's sea power in the far east,
the surrender of the internel war
ships and the grant to Japan of fish
ing rights on the coast north of Vlad-
ivostok.
Indemnity and SakhaIin.
To all except the latter, to which
Russia will agree, a negative answer
has been returned absolutely, as in
the case of indemnity and Sakhalin.
| Perhaps both the others may be mod
flied and accepted by M. Witte in Or
der to strengthen his position in in
sisting on a concession from Japan
| regarding its demands of an indem-
nifty and Sakhalin
Before yielding on either of the lat
ter it can be regarded as practically
certain that NJ. Witte would consult
the emperor.
Articles VII and VIII. were dispos-
ed Of today, the former 'in principle"
the latter unanimously" according to
the official bulletins.
Article VII. provides for the cession
to China of the branch of the Chi
nese Eastern railway, running south
from Harbin to Port Arthur and Dali
ny.
Article VIII. provides for the reten-
tion by Russia of the line through
northern Manchuria. which forms the
connecting link of the main line of
the trans-Siberian railroad with it's
terminal at Vladivostok and Harbor-
xksk.
From both sides the Associated
Press is informed that the acceptance
''in principle" of article seven only
means that certain phases remain to
eb elaborated, not that dispute still
exists.
The following official statement was
issued by Mr.. Sato this evening:
AT the afternoon session Of the
conference. Articles VII. and VIII.
were discussed article VII. was set
tied in principle, and article VIII. ac-
cepted unanimously The conference
at @. .oV duJOuI uHllI .. 81 LOuOT.
row morning."
there remained not a difference to be
adjusted on article VII, but only the
celebrating of a single point. Article
VII. is the cessiOn Of the branch of
the Chinese Eastern railway from
Harbin southwark, and article VIII.
provides for the retention by Russia
| nf tho norton ~ hn 1iv,o
thern Manchuria connecting the trans
Siberian railroad with Vladivostok.
Both Japan's and Russia's plenipo-
tentiaries were late for dinner to-
night, having stopped at the cottage
of Mrs. Pierce for a cup of tea, and
to apologize for not having reached
there in time for formal reception
earlier in the afternoon.
Attend Dance.
The weather was all that could be
desired. and the ENJOYS greatly en-
joyed their ride home. There was an
informal dance given in the ball room
this evening with several of the ia
panese in attendance.
Although the plenipotentiaries gen.
orally finish their session between
and O'Clock, the secretaries whose
duties it is to prepare the protocols
and cable the results home, seldom
see their beds before o'clock in the
morning. AS they must be up before
8 in the morning, in order to reach
the navy yard by $3.50, they are be-
ginning to show the strain. The mos
quito pest has not yet returned. but
1t is said Baron Komura and M. Witte,
II they follow the gratuitous advice
they have received. will know how to
cope with the invaders. Next to the
sea. mosquitoes are NJ. Whites most
dreaded enemy.