The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-08-26
MODIFIED Terms ARE ~
REFUSED BY RUSSIA
M. White Says Russia Has Money for
Prosecution Of the War, but
None for Tribute

Portsmouth, Aug. 21.-The chances
Of peace have undoubtedly been i'm
proved by President Roosevelt's action
in stepping into the breach in q last
heroic endeavor to induce the warning
countries to compromise their "irrec-
oncilable differences" but the result
is still in suspense.
The ultimate decision Of the issue
has passed from the plenipotentiaries
to their principals, from Portsmouth
to st. Petersburg, and perhaps, in q
lesser extent, to Tokyo.
The Associated Press is able to an
nounce that the feature of the propo-
sition of President Roosevelt conmun-
icated through Baron Rosen to M.
Witte, and by the latter to Emperor
Nicholas, was based on the principles
of arbitration.
Whether the president contemplates
arbitration on all Of the articles on
which the principals have already
agreed or on the question Of indemnity
cannot be stated with positiveness. but
it is more than probable that 1t relates
only to indemnity or to indemnity and
the cession Of the island of Sakhalin.
Neither is it possible to say whether
the president has yet made similar
proposal to Japan.
The customary diplomatic proceed
ing in such q case would be to submit
the proposal simultaneously to both
countries, but there might be advan-
tage in securing the adherence of one
before submitting it to the other.
ENJOYS Have Said Ne Once.
To Emperor Nicholas, the author of
The Hague peace conference, the sug-
gestion of arbitration, which will neo
esssrily Immediately command the
sympathy, the public opinion of the
world, will be particularly hard to re-
ject.
If he agrees, japan, If she has not
already done 80, will be all the more
bound to submit her claim to the de-
oision of an impartial arbiter. Ac-
eepted by both sides, it would involve
q great extension Of the principle of
arbitration, as nations have heretofore
declined to arbitrate on questions in
volving 'their honor and dignity"
Both Mr.. Takahira and NJ. Witte, in
the early stages Of the conference, alb
solutely rejected tho idea Of arbitra-
ton, and only Saturday both reiterated
their disbelief in such q solution. 1t
was noticed, however, that NJ. Whites
opinion was not expressed as strongly
as it was last week.
According to current gossip Baron
Komura told the president that Japan
would yield on articles 10 and II.
That Japan would yield ON these two
points il Russia would accept articles
8 and 9 Indemnity and Sakhalip) is
considered certain, but reports pretend
ing to describe with exactness the char
actor of tho presidents proposition to
Baron Rosen are probably simply
shrewd guesses. M. Witte has never
communicated is to the members of
his encourage, and the Japanese are
absolutely silent.
Neutral Powers Anxious.
Although there are collateral evil
dences that pressure both by President
Roosevelt and the neutral powers, in
GLIDING Japan's ally, Great Britain,
whose minister, Sir Claude MacDon-
aid, according to a dispatch received
here, had long conference this after
noon with Mr.. Katsura, the Japanese
premier, is still being exerted at Tokyo
to induce Japan to moderate her de-
mands, there is also reason to believe
that President Roosevelt was able at
HE interview with Baron Rosen prac.
tically to convey to the latter and M.
Witte Japan's irreducible minimum
what she would yield, but the point
beyond which she would not 60.
Whether an actual basis Of compro-
mise was proposed by the president
cannot be stated definitely. The only
thing that oan be affirmed positively
10 that IL Russia refuses to act upon
the suggestion Of President Roosevelt
the peace conference will end in fail,
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encouragement 10 given.
Emperor Nicholas' decision, upon
which the fate Of the conference seems
now to hang, according to the best in
formed Russians, depends upon the
conditions at home, and these condi-
lions they do net believe are propitious.
The main big factors are the internal
conditions ard tho reports from the
front a. TO the military situation.
The former has been amelierated by
last Saturdays manifesto, and the
character Of the reports received from
the front are known TO be good. Gen.
Linevitch has expressed absolute conf
dence in victory, and since the confer
ence began he and his generals have
not only treasured his majesty that tho
army was newer in better condition,
but, they have sent messages to N.
Witte, imploring him not to make
peace.
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