PEACE TREATY.

Opunake Times, Volume XXII, Issue 772, 12 September 1905, Page 3

PEACE TREATY.

Tokio, September 7. The bulk of the Japanese are apathetic towards peace, but the hostility of the Radicals is increasing. Tbe upper and middle classes and commercial men and financiers are strangely silent, being evidently disappointed. The markets reflect their dejection. Prices have sharply declined. Only one Tokio newspaper supports the treaty. Others declare it an insult to the nation and the bitterest dose it has ever been asked to swallow. Anti-peace ratification riots at Tokio lasted till midnight. Two persons were killed and 500 wounded. The rioters burned the official residence of the Minister for the Interior and destroyed the police station. Rioting began here on Tuesday because the Government refused to reveal the full peace terms and prohibited’the right of public meeting at Hibiaya, Owing to the extreme unpopularity of the police, the Imperial Guards protected the Government buildings. 200 police were among the wounded. Four rioters were killed, and 200 were arrested. The police wounded 14 mortally with their swords. Tbe demonstrators hope to induce the Government not to ratify the treaty. The abandonment of the indemnity is the chief cause of dissatisfaction. Martial law has been decreed. HUGE INDIGNATION MEETING. September 8. Owing to the arrest of five leaders of public opinion, a crowd of a hundred thousand desired to hold an indignation meeting at Hibiaya. The police thereupon barricaded the gates and tried to disperse the mob, which smashed the barriers and then held an orderly meeting. It was decided to telegraph to General Oyama urging him to continue the fight, and not accept shameful peace ; also to urge the Mikado not to ratify the treaty. . Subsequent to the indignation meeting, rowdies, supposed to be in the pay of agitators, surrounded the Ministry of the Interior where Count Katsnra (Premier) and tbe Chief of Police were believed to be. The mob threw dust in tbe eyes of the police, and tried to force an entrance. Five men entered the ball; an officer killed tbe foremost and disarmed and arrested tbe rest. Tbe police then charged, wounding many, also suffering themselves. The mob tried for hours to force an entrance. After dusk they set fire to the outer buildings of the Ministry of the Interior, stoning tbe firemen who tried to extinguish the fire. Then the Imperial Guards charged, using the crowd gently. Marquis Saionji, leader of the principal party in Tokio, states that the object of the war being now attained, further conflict is useless. It is imp issible to obtain an indemnity, and Japan is not warranted in disregarding the world’s desire for peace merely from pecuniary motives. The people should calmly devote themselves to the development of their resources. The mob burned and destroyed ten Christian churches and one mission house in Tokio on Wednesday ni«ht. No one was injured. Troops guard the Legations. Mobs roughly used some foreigners. The residences of the Ministry and of the elder statesmen are guarded. Washington, Sep. 7. Baron Komura has telegrpphed President Roosevelt: owes you a lasting gratitude for initiating and successfully concluding the Peace Conference.” Baron Obuma, interviewed, declared the conditions of peace were not drastic enough to prevent Russian ambitions in Korea and Manchuria. China would be unable to maintain order in Manchuria, which would enable Bussia to sow tbe seeds of war, instead of removing the causes of future disputes. The settlement left the conditions exactly as before hostilities. Tokio, September 9. The municipality of Tokio has passed a resolution denouncing the peace terms, and urging that they should not be ratified. Thousands of responsible citizens were associated in the earlier rioting, but the crowds now largely consist of the lower orders and students—young and rowdy elements, The soldiers are popular, and are more successful than the police in restraining the populace. The Government has suspended five newspapers. Baron Katsura, yielding to public feeling, publishes the peace terms today. He states that Japah was not bound to leave the La Perouse Straits unfortified. This, coupled with the assurance that Japan is given an entirely free hand in Korea, will, it is expected, claim the excitement. The coolie-, class at Tokio destroyed 80 electric cars. The destruction of the Christian Churches was due to the indiscretion of a Salvationist denouncing the anti-peace movement in the streets during a popular commotion. Beblin, Sep. 9, The, Kaiser, addressing the American Congressmen now visiting Berlin, stated that the Czar asked him to request President Roosevelt to arrange the Peace Conference.