The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1905-08-31
japanese Waive Indemnity and
Divide SakhaIin With the
Russian Government.
Sudden Conclusion Of Terms Between
Warning Nations Comes as Pleas
Ing Surprise Just When it Looked
Most Gloomy for an Agree
ment.

Portsmouth, N. H.--The long and
bloody war between Japan and Russia
Is ended. The terms OF peace were
agreed upon by NJ. 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
Russla'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 1t not been for
the heroic intercession of President
Roosevelt was sudden and dramatic.
For the sake of peace. Japan, with the
magnanimity of victor, at the last
moment yielded everything still in is
sue.
Russia refused to bulge from the
utmatum Emperor Nicholas had Civ
en- to President Roosevelt through
ambassador Meyer. No indemnity un-
der any guise, but an agreement to di-
vide Sakhalin and reimburse Japan
for the maintenance of prisoners
were his last words. They had been
repeatedly reiterated in M. Whites
instructions, 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 rupture and as
he expressed it afterward, he was
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
sea, they had realized in advance that
peace could be obtained in no other
way. They had warned their govern
ment.
President Roosevelt had also 1t is
believed, advised Japan that 1t was
better to meet the Russian position
than, to take the responsibility of
the war for the purpose of
collecting tribute. The mikado, at
the advice Of the cabinet and elder
Statesmen had sanctioned the final
When Baron Komura
yielded, the rest was mere child's
play.
Article 20 and IL Cnterned warships
and the limitation of Russia's sea
power in the far eas) were with
drawn. Japan agreed that only that
portion of the Chinese Eastern rail
road south of Chantfu, the position
occupied by Oyama, should be ceded
10 Japan. Both sides, once the dead
ock was broken, wanted lust and
lasting" peace, and in that respect it
was decided to neutralize Sakhalin,
each country binding itself not to for
.ify its half of the island. and Japan
Assuming an obligation not to fortify
La Perouse strait, between Sakhalin
and Hokkaido, which would bar Rus
,ia's commercial route to the Pacific. |
The plenipotentiaries went further. |
They decided to add new clause in
he nature OF broad provision for
mArninl T,rixi1nunS "
which each country will secure for
he other the benefit of the most |
'avored nation" clause and the open |
loor"
The new treaty, therefore, will be
wonderfully friendly document, of a
character almost to raise the sus-
licion that the two countries have not |
Negotiated peace, but have concluded |
he basis of future alliance. There |
S, however no evidence, as rumored, |
hat any secret clauses are to be ap- |
pended to the present treaty.
Before leaving the conference build
ng fluctuations were exchanged with |
he president at oyster Bay. Both |
3aron Komura and NJ Witte tele-
,raphed. The former confined him
elf to apprising Mr. Roosevelt of the
ondiuons upon which peace had
'een concluded. NJ. Witte frankly
aid his tribute at the presidents feet
II his message he said
History will ascribe to you the
.lory, 'and added the expression of
iussia's hearty appreciation of the
residents generous initiative
ir Roosevelt replied with words of
hanks and congratulation.
apan Entitled to Place in the