The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1905-08-31

repeatedly reiterated in Mr.. Wltte's
Instructions and In the form OF a
written reply to the japanese compro.
mise proposal OF last Wednesday they
were delivered to Baron Komura Tues
day morning. Mr.. Witte went TO the
conference declaring he was powerleBs
TO change the dot of an 1, or the cross
OF in his instructions. Emperor
Nicholas word had been given not only
70, him but TO President Roosevelt, the
head Of foreign state When Baron
Komura, therefore, first offered the
new basis OF compromise outlined In
the dispatches Monday night 1.-THE com
plete renunciation Of indemnity, cou.
Piled with a proposition for the re-
demption Of Sakhalin at a price 10 be
fixed by q mixed tribunal consisting
Of representatives OF the neutral pow
ers, in fact ~ not In words, the solr-
tlon offered by the presldent), Mr.,
Witte again returned non possumus.
II was what Mr.. Witte termed the
''psychological moment" ~ H at
Komura Gives Way.
Mr.. Witte did not finch. He ex.
pected a rupture, and, as he expressed
.it afterward, he waB stunned by what
happened Baron Komura gave way
on all disputed points. With the pres
ence that has enabled the japanese 10
gauge the mental processes Of their
adyergaries on the field Of battle and
upon the sea, they had realized in al.
vance that peace could be obtained in
no other way, They had warned their
government President Roosevelt had
also, II IL believed, advised Japan that
II was better to meet the Russian posi-
tion than 10 take the responsibility OF
continuing the war for the purpose OF
collecting tribute The nikado al the
session OF the cabinet and elder states.
men on Monday had sanctioned the
nnal concession When Baron Komura
yielded the rest was mere child's play.
Both sides, once the deadlock was
broken, wanted "Just and lasting
peace and in that spirit II was decided
10 practically nestralize Sakhalin, each
country binding itself not 10 fortify.
It's half Of the island, and japan as
Bumilg an obligation not TO fortify the
La Perouse strait between Sakhaljn
and Hokkaldo, which would bar Rus.
Gia's commercial route TO the Pacific.
May Be Basis Of Alliance.
The plenipotentiaries went further.
They decided TO add new clause In the
nature Of broad provision for mutual
commercial privileges, BY which each
country will secure for the other the
benefit OF the most favored nation"
clause and the open door" The new
treaty, therefore, will be wonderfully
friendly document, Of character almost
10 raise the suspicion that the two coun-
tries have not negotiated peace, but
have concluded the basis Of future al
lance. There is. however, no evidence
as rumored that secret clauses are 10 be
appended 10 the present treaty
Tribute TO the President.
Before leaving the conference build
ing fluctuations were exchanged with
the president At Oyster Bay. Both Bar
ON Komura and Mr., Wltte felegTaphed.
The former confined himself to appris-
ing Mr.. Roosevelt Of the conditions
upon which peace had been concluded.
Mr.. Witte frankly laid his tribute az the
presidents feet. In his message he
said: History will ascribe TO you the
glory" and added the expression Of
Russiais hearty appreciation OF the
presidents generous Initiative" Mr..
Roosevelt replied with words Of thanks
ana congratulatIon.
Armistice PROPOSED.
The two plenlpotentiariss have re-
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