New-York tribune., 1905-08-20
PAY. PRESIDENT URGES ROSEN
Cheaper Now Than Later, He Is Believed to Have
Said to Russian Envoy
European Powers Aiding Efforts Prevent Rupture Portsmouth Strong
Pressure al Toxic and Petersburg

mand for the limitation Of RusSias navaN
strength. provided the Russian envoys would
concede the formers more important demands
answered in the affirmative
The impression is strong in Portsmouth that
the President must have acquired, either from
Baron KanekO or from some other japanese
source. some highly important information con-
cerning the position of the Japanese ENJOYS be-
fore extending formal invitation TO NJ Witts
to send a confidential representative TO oyster
Bay. The view is also entertained that both
the Toxic and st. Petersburg governments will
instruct their ENJOYS to make some. If only
minor. concessions before abandoning the ef-
fort to establish peace. but il Is President Roose-
velt. whose direct and forcefuI diplomacy
brought the peace conference into existence.
who is expected TO exert the most potent inhu-
ence for its success.
The suggestion has been made. and somewhat
extensively discussed, that the President may
have received some intimation from the Czar
OF the A1ikado, or both, that his good Offices at
this critical stage of the negotiations would
prove grateful and in this connection it Is re-
marked that either side could yield more grace
fully TO the disinterested persuasion OF the
President than to the acknowledgement demands
of one opponent.
That both nations have already clearly demon
strated their courage in the field of diplomacy
and their willingness once more 10 contest their
differences on the field of battle cannot be gain
said. and were either now TO make even liberal
concessions under the purely friendly and hu-
manitarian influence of the President the world
would unquestiOnably see in such concessions
only generosity. and not any spirit of cow
ardice or any failure on the part of the belliger-
ents TO make good their words with deedA
Three hours after Baron Rosen left Portsmouth
for Oyster Bay NJ. Witte departed for Magnolia
where he and several members of his suite were
the guests of Mime. Rosen. Only the japanese
ENJOYS remained here.
The respect and general regard which VI.
Witte commands wherever he goes is remark
able and even his inability to speak English
does not prevent his manifesting his sratifea-
ton and his good fellowship. His arrival at the
station in Portsmouth this morning proved the
signal for a mute but striking demonstration.
No sooner had he entered the trainshed than
hundred men uncovered. and he did the same
bowling right and left When he stepped from
the train at Salem. where he changed cars for
Magnolia he shook hands with the train and
Pullman conductors, expressing in French his
thanks for his safe conduct and he left two
stanch friends of Russia behind him.
Hes great big man. and mighty fine one"
declared a member of the train crew. adding:
IF all Russians are like that, I'm for them
NJ Witte returned from Magnolia at $50
O'Clock this evening, and found on his arrival
q dispatch from Baron Rosen saying that he
had started for Portsmouth.
The strain of the last few days at Portsmouth
has been great. and it is beginning TO tell on
all concerned. NJ Vitte was far from well last
night, and he looked worn this morning. Baron
Rosen showed the effects of the strain, and
Minister Takahira appeared weary and care
worn this morning
Even the newspaper correspondents are show
ing evidences of the last weeks hard work, and
many of the attaches. whose duties often detain
them far into the night. are completely worn
ont