THE WAR.

Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 32, 31 August 1905, Page 3

THE WAR.

PEACE AT LAST. I British and French Influences. Telegraph Press Association Copyright London, August 80. It is officially announced that peace has been &gr ed upon by the plenipotentiaries at Portsmouth. The Times says that the decision must have cost- the Mikado much, knowing possibly how unpopular it would be with some portions of the nation. The decision was largely due to Marquis Ito and the elder statesmen, who perhaps were more permeated with the old chivalrous code than those trained purely on modern conditions. Japan also felt able to make concesaions as England's ally, which she k&ttiiy could have made with safety Jf if alone. ~"~ M. de Witte telegraphed to Presi dent Rooßevelt that « history will ascribe to him the glory of the peace secured at the Portsmouth Confer ence, and assuring him of Russia's healthy appreciation of his initiative." The Times' St. Petersburg corre spondent says that rejoicing will be widespread. The Daily Telegraph sayß that M. de Witte has achieved a brilliant success in defeating the aims of the War Party. The first announcement of peace was treated in Sfc Petersburg as a hoax. Later, the messages were received with increased amazement. St. Petersburg, August 30. The Czar was unaware that peace had been arranged until past midnight. London, August 30. The agreement provides for Russia defraying tbe cost of the maintenance of prisoners at Saghalien, but she pays nothing else in regard to the Island. It provides for the division of Saghalien at the fiftieth parallel of latitude. Neither Power is to fortify or use Saghahen strategically. Japan is not to fortify La Perouse Straits. The agreement also provides for a most favored nation commercial treaty between Japan and Russia, each to maintain an open door. Washington, August 29. M. de Witte, interviewed, declared : "We do not pay a kopec of indemnity and we get half of Saghalien; that is the agreement in a .not shell. It seems incredible. Ido not believe any other person in my place would have dared to hope that peace was possible in the circumstances. From all sides from President Roosevelt down to my friends in Russia, I bad received up to this morning urgent representations that the indemnity should be paid to Japan. At today's meeting I presented a written statement, which ultimatum, to my amazement, the Japanese accepted. I had resolved not to omit a word. It was the end as far as I was concerned, but I could not foretell how it would work the Japanese mind. The result proved, however, a complete victory for vs — half Saghalien without the payment of redemption mosey !" Washington, August 29. Official statements from Portsmouth are to the effect that the Conference arrived at a complete agreement on all questions and decided to P prepare a treaty. There was great jubilation in all directions. Peel 3 were rung on the church bells. M. de Witte and Baron Komura telegraphed to their respes tive Governments recommending an armistice. Baron Komura notified President Roosevelt, who telegraphed his thanks and congratulations to both plenipotentiaries. Count Sato has issued the follow* ing announcement : " The Saghalien and reimbursement issues, from tbe outset, showed an absolute divergence of views, and frequently threatened the existence of the conference, but the Mikado, responding to the dictates of humanity and civilisation, has in a spirit of perfect conciliation and in tbe interests of peace, authoriged toe waiving of the reimbursement of war expenses and consented to a division of Saghalien, which were on mutually acceptable terms." Reuter'B agency reports that Japan withdrew her demand for tbe interned warships and the limitation of Russia's naval power in the Far East. M. de Witte stated that the Japanese obtain only that portion of the Chinese Eastern railway south of Chantaff. St. Petersburg, August 80. When the Czar offered to provide a workable basis for a compromise (which was currently described at St. Petersburg as " Japan surrenders her indemnity and Russia surrenders her territory "), friendly French influences worked wonders at St. Petersburg. Blatant Chauvinism was in the asoendant till Sunday, but it is now absent, except in lhe columns of the Novoe Vremya. The latter deeenbea the cession as an irreparable blunder. Sydney, August 30. Expressions of satisfaction at the eacep were general in the Federal House. Mr Deakin, amid cheers, declared it was the best news that had reached the Commonwealth for some time.