Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-21
UEsTlON REFERRED TO CAR AND HlTADo
Mr.. Roosevelt's Proposition Forwarded to
Home Governments
DwERS BRING PRESSURE TO BEAR
British Ambassador Has Long Conference
with Japanese Premier.
NONE OF THE ENJOYS ARE OPTIMISTIC
strong Feeling That Move VIII Re-
suit in FaiIurc-StRtcment THAT
Chief Executive Suggested
Arbitration.

PORTSMOUTH, N H, Aug @-The
chances OF peace have undoubtedly been
improved by President Roosevelt's action
in stepping into the breach In a last heroic
endeavor to induce the warning countries
to compromise their irreconcilsble differ
ences, but the result is still in suspense
The ultimate decision OF the issue has de
facto, II not de jure, passed from the
plenipotentaries to their principals in st.
Petersburg and in lesser extent to Toxic.
Collateral evidence that pressure, both by
President Roosevelt and neutral powers, in
cuding Great Britain, whose minister, Sir
Claude Mcdonald, according to advices re-
ceived here, had a long conference this
morning with Mr.. Katsura, the Japanese
prime minister, is stil being exerted at
Toxic to induce Japan TO moderate its de-
msnds There is also reason to believe that
President Roosevelt was able at his inter
view with Baron de Rosen to practically
communicate to the lstter's senior, NJ.
Witte Japan's irreducible minimum-what
It would yield, but the point beyond which
II would not go.
Whether an actual basis of compromise
was proposed by the president cannot be
stated definitely. The only thing that can
be affirmed positively is that II Russia re-
| fuses to act upon the suggestion or PROPOSE
UOn OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT Nne peace COn-
ference will end in failure.
Russians Are Pessimistic.
Little encouragement is given IN the Rus
sian camp. Baron de Rosen reached here
after an all-night ride from Oyster Bay
shortly before noon and Immediately went
! into conference with NJ. Wtte. They
mained closeted together for almost three
hours. during which time the whole situa-
! ton was reviewed. Baron de Rosen COM
municated to his chief the presidents mes
| sage and II was transmitted TO the en-
/ peror, together with NJ. Whites recommen-
dation. No clue TO the nature of this rec
ommendation has transpired. But II can be
stated that NJ. Witte, no matter how he
! personally may view the proposition, is dis
! tinctly pessimistic as TO the character of
! the response which will come from St.
Petersburg.
To confidential friend this afternoon he
! offered little hope Of a change In the situa-
| tion.
! The japanese, It is firmly believed. cling
to the substance II not the form of the de-
mand for remuneration for "the cost OF the
| war"
| Perhaps they are willing to decrease the
sum asked but substantial compensation
under whatever guse It is obtained they de-
cline to relinquish. And they are also firm
upon the cession of sakhalin.
| BY the transfer of the southern branch
| OF the Chinese Eastern railway first to
/ Japan for REIMBURSEMENT TO China, pay
ment for the maintenance OF the Russian
prisoners and the surrender OF the Russian
warships, 1t is possible to figure out a total
transfer to Japan in money and property
of about $3.50 100000. But this is the limit.
japanese Are Reticent.
| The Japanese usual are reticent and It
| L. tp OH ~
indication Of their view of the change in
the situation produced by the presidents
action
II is taken for granted that the presidents
appeal was made to Japan well as to
| Russia, but the Japanese side OF the nego-
| tiations to a compromise is almost com
| pletely in the dark. 1t is assumed that
Baron Kaneko was able to explain the
| Japanese views to the president. II the
| president is successful with Russia It may
be that he must then turn to Japan. That
would be the natural course, II he has sug-
gested to Russia what he regards as a fair
compromise and has undertaken, II Russia
accepts, to use his influence to induce Japan
to accept. But IT is not probable that he
was able TO assure NJ. witte IN advance OF
Japan's agreement to accept. Neverthe-
less, Mr. Takahira today spoke as II he
might be called to oyster Bay, He would
only say positively that he had as yet re-
ceived no summons.
authoritatively but rather humorously
stated thus:
The result win be known soon; It is
useless to speculate. As well for the ply
Ghnrn SGIsn 10 gYe his SPnon OF the b sex OF the
we Will be able TO tell whether It is boy
, or girl.
Russians want to Fight.
|
the fate of the conference now seems 70
hang, depends upon conditions at home.
and these conditions they do not believe
, are proptious. The two big factors are
the internal conditions and the reports
from the front as 10 the military situation.
The former has been ameliorated by last
Saturdays manifesto and the character OF
the reports received by his majesty from
Manchuria are known to be accordingly
good.
General Linevltch has expressed abso-
Lutte confidence in victory and since the
conference began he and his generals have
not only reassured his majesty that the
army was never In better condition, but
they have sent messages 10 NJ Witte, inn
ploring him not to make peace They de-
! mand an opportunity 10 retrieve the honor
and prestige" of the army and in a coun-
try where the army Is the bulwark Of the
government the wishes Of It's generals are
not likely TO be dlsregarded by their sover-
. eiEn.
Not only to make peace. but 20 pay
. tribute to the enemy would therefore be
, J a very difhcult task for the emperor, not
withstanding his love and desire for peace.
wiue Denies Report.
. II is significant in this connection that
n NJ Witte took occasion today to formally
= deny. through the Associated Press, tho
published reports from st, Petersburg to
% the effect that AT a meeting Of the council
n for national defense presided over By
.. Grand Duke Nicholas, the impossibility OF
reconquehng sakhalin or defending the
;; Amur province has been recognized and
that in consequence that the emperor has
teegraphed NJ. Witte 10 come 10 an under
j. standing with the japanese. NJ. Witte said
THE report is a pure invention. There
- is not a word Of truth IN IT, The national