Russia and Japan.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3563, 22 August 1905, Page 2

Russia and Japan.

THE PEACE CONFERENCE. OUTLOOK D r 'ES NOT LOOK HOPEFUL. The Peace Conference has agreed , to Japanese fishing rights fiom Vladivostock to the Behring Sea. A deadlock has taken place regarding the limitation of the Russian navy in the Far East. The Conference has adjourned until to-day to permit the drafting of protocols recording the business done. The final struggle on the vital ifisues opens on Tuesday. ,■ All the, papers report that Thursday’s session of the plenipotentiaries wns stormy and embittered. It is stated that M. de Witte declares Russia will reimburse Japan for maintaining the 'ussian prisoners, but will not give one kopeck indemnity.

Professor M.Tle Martens, the celebrated Russian jurist, in the course of an interview concerning the peace negotiation■» said Gere was no precedent in history where a country whose territory was unoccupied wholly or partially by an enpray paid a war tribute on signing peace, lie instanced Napoleon, and the Peace of Tilsit, .and the FispanoAmerican treaty, wherein America, though victorious paid Spain twenty million dollars for the Philippines.

At President Roosevelt’s ■ invitation Baron von Rosen, one of the Russian peace plenipotentiaries, has arrived at the Presidential residence at Oyster Bay to consult with the President who apparently acted on the suggestion uf’M. Kaneko, the Japanese Minister. ' Opinion at Portsmouth is pessimistic. It is believed Russia will vjeld Pagha-lien Island if a, promise Is made that it will not be fortified, but insistancy on an indemnity by Japan bars progress.

Portsmouth is a handsome old town, huildt on a peninsula overlooking a lino harbour,' fifty -seven miles north (by nil) of Boston, It is a favourite summer resort. Thera E a naval yard at Kittery, an island opposite the harbour, with a floating dock. The town was settled in 1623. and up to 1807 was the capital of New Hampshire It has a population of about 10,000.

IMPLACABLE M\yOY.«, Tt is stated that Kin" Edward, President Loubet, and the Kaiser are urging the authorities at Bt. Petersburg and Tokio to avoid a failure of the Conference, but there is no sign of a concession on either side as regards the indemnity. . M. de Witte remarked : “ Perhaps between now and Tuesday some foreign rower may use its influence. Talking to the Japanese envoys is like ta'king to graven images.” The Atlantic and Pacific cables are overwhelmed with peace conference messages.