CABLE NEWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3567, 31 August 1905, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

Russia and Japan. PEACE CONFERENCE. Saturday’s sitting of the Peace Conference thre- bnied to be the last. Though the secretaries were cxchi.i ■;! 10 F.e:,,rc the Mnettst secrecy, one Russian >■>’ aipotentiary supplied the New Y< v.. correspondent of the “Times’ with many details. He said that the Japanese seemed to expect a new proposal. “ No,’’ said the Russians to this. “ ‘ Half Saghalienand no indemnity’ are our last words.” The Rusaian added that M. de Witte’s quiet firmness convinced the Japanese of the unalterableness of Russia’s resolution.

The Russian plenipotentiary informed the New York correspondent of the Times that if the indemnity is withdrawn “we rejoice. Peace will be made; but it is inconceivable that Japan will withdraw it. If the indemnity is reduced one half we should still decline, because this is a question of principle, a,nd not of money. It is understood the Japanese expect the Czar to change his mind. We do not. His answer to President Roosevelt was decisive, but we think a stronger influence is working for peace, viz,, England. We have heard that a new treaty alliance was signed by England and to make peace. We know that British interests in the East are suffering and British political interests may suffer. We understand that from motives of delicacy and generosity to her ally, Britain refrained irom urging any definite course of action. Japan, however, knows what England wishes, and that is why we think a new proposal it forthcoming on Monday. We think British views also have weight at Peterhot.”

The Russian plenipotentiary added : “ England, though Japan’s ally in Asia, has ? m Europe other far weightier Interests. She cannot wish to see Russia enfeebled beyond a certain point. She has made friends with France in order to keep the balance even, especially against Germany, for she knows that Germany’s designs are threatening England's place m the European system. Britain and Russia’s common interests clamour for peace.”

PEACE AT LAST. TERMS AGREED UPON. An extraordinary press message states that it is officially announced that peace has been agreed upon by the Plenipotentiaries at Portsmouth, The Conference has decided to prepare a peace treaty, and the belligerent Governments have been recommended by their representatives to grant an armistice.