DE WITTE'S VERSION.

Waikato Independent, Volume II, Issue 132, 21 September 1905, Page 5

DE WITTE'S VERSION.

—«. . THE QUESTION OP INDEMNITY. (I'ER PiIKSS ASSOCIATION.) (Received Sept. 20, 10 p.m.) Paris, September 20. M. cle Witfce at Cherbourg was interviewed by a representative of the Matin. He explained the Japanese change of front in regard to an indemnity. M. do Witte said he noticed after his arrival in America a change of American opinion in favour of Russia. He resolved to profit by it, and he was determined in order to strengthen the current opinion to yield quickly on all demands appearing to him just. Thus eventually he nirrowed down the negotiations to a question of indemnity. He was then able to invoke the principals of humanity, and leave on Japan the responsibility of further bloodshed for money alone. The American press assumed the same standpoint, and reproached Japan for lacking in disinterestedness. President Roosevelt was moved and'appealed to M. Kancko, the Japanese representative, and warned him that Japan could no longer rely upon America's support if lie persisted in war on the sole question of money. Received September 20, 7.29 a.m.

In the course of the interview with the Martin's representative M. do Witfce remarked that President Roosevelt first advised the acceptance of the repurchase of Saghalien and later changed his opinion and found it was right. When President Roosevelt found the Japanese determined not to yield the indemnity question, he appealed directly to the Czar and secured the cession of half the island.