The Alamogordo news. (Alamogordo, N.M.) 1899-1912, 1905-08-26
MTEHSEIY DRAMATIC
The Outlook for Peace is Very
Black, Though Diplomacy
Nav Do Wonders,

the conclusion of the afternoon
session today Of the peace confer
ence threw the cards upon the
table.
1t was the dramatic moment
the moment to which all previous
proceedings of the conference
had led. The protocols involv-
ing agreement upon eight of tn
twelve conditions originally pre-
sented by Japan had been sign
ed. One side or the other must
make a move, or the plenipoten-
tiaries had reached the parting
of the ways. The adversaries
faced each other across the table.
OF course it was we'll understood
what would happen, but that in
q way only made it more drama
tic. Figuratively, President
Roosevelt suddenly entered the
conference room. Mr.. Witte sat
silent and the move in the great
diplomatic game passed to Japan
in her great desire for peace was
ready to make certain "modifi-
cations" of the original articles
in the hope that Russia could
find it possible to accept them.
He then presented in writing to
Mr.. Witte the compromise pro-
position suggested. 1t was con-
crete and specific, and it follow
ed the lines outlined in these
dispatches. It offered to with
draw article 9, providing for the
payment by Russia of Japan's
bill for the cost of the war on
condition that Russia would ac-
cept article 5, which provides for
the cession of the island Of Sag
halien, so modified as to include
an arrangement for the re-pur-
chase by Russia of the northern
half of the island for / 200, ,OOO,-
600 yen. In addition, it offered
to withdraw entirely articles Ii
and II, Surrender of the intern
ed warships and limitation upon
Russia's sea power in the Far
East).
1t was President RoOsevelt's
compromise and Mr.. Witte knew
it as well as Baron Komura.
The question of whether he was
"bluffing" was put to the test.
Without a moments hesitation
Mr.. Witte explained that the
modification proposed was mere
.ly sham, change of phraseo-
logy, a diplomatic attempt to
"dorer La pilule" and ask Russia
to pay war tribute under another
name. He could not accept it.
He told Baron Komura Russia
wanted peace. She had given
proofs in accepting every article
involving the issues upon which
the war was fought but she could
fight, and money for tribute she
would not pay, not kopack.
He asked Baron Komura to with
draw all demands for tribute.
And the plenipotentiaries separa-
ted to meet again on Saturday,
ostensibly to permit Mr.. Witte
to place in writing, as the rules
of the conference require, his re-
ply to the japanese compromise
proposition. In reality the ad-
iOurnment over two days was to
give each side an opportunity to
consult its government for the
last time.
The outlook is black. Many
believe it was never 50 black as
tonight. The Japanese are not
talking. Indeed, tonight they
appear to be more taciturn and
more resolute than ever. The
only possible line Of further Jap
anese concession is considered 70
lie in the diminution Of the
amount Of the purchase money
demanded for the north half of
Saghalien. The decision rests.
therefore, as ithas from the first,
with Russia. Unless the emDer.
or agrees to yield between now
and Saturday, the end Is likely
70 come on that day. And in.
dicatiOns from Peterhof. instead
OF raising the chances. indicate
ever iirmer determination n