The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-18
1T LOOKS DARK.
Clouds Again Hover Over the
Peace Conference.
Little Hope of Success Now in
Any Quarter.
NOTHING WAS DONE
At The Afternoon Session of
Thursday.
Little Is Expected to Be Accom-
plished Today.

VI loAAACQtIl, N. H. aug. AZ
crisis in the peace conference has been
reached and pessimism is again the
note.
But there is still hope. Predictions
of final rupture certainly will not be
justified unless Baron Komura dgur-
atively picks UP his hat and an
nounces that it is useless to proceed
further. Mr.. White at least will not
be precipitate. After article IL (the
limitation of Russia's sea power in the
far eaSO and article IL (hShing rights
on the Russian littora) are disposed of
he VIII favor an adjournment until
Monday to hear the last word from
st. Petersburg.
The pessimisrn is based on the fact
that no progress was made yesterday
The exchange of views at the morning
session on article 8 remuneration for
the cost of the war; showed at once
that the plenipOtentiaries were as far
apart as the poles and it was passed
over Article 10 1.-THE surrender of the
interned Russian warships) was also
passed, not in the opinion of one of the
present plenipotentiarfes when the AS
sociated Press correspondent saw him
because it could not have been ar
ranged, but because within the shadow
OF the two main points in dispute
hanging over the conference, both
sides were cautious and preferred to
postpone it to the end. Article Ii
Limitation of sea power) is also. adj
Unstable after modification and article
2 will present no difficulties So that
the situation was practically where it
was when Mr.. White last Saturday
presented the Russian reply with its
non-possumus to articles and Gin
demnity and Sakhalin).
Compromise the Only Chance.
The only chance now is compromise
Russia to yield Sakhalin and Japan
indemnity. Neither will yield both
and perhaps japan at the final show of
hands will yield neither. Mr.. Witte,
under the imperial indications contain
ed in the instructions given him before
he left st. Petersburg, can agree Meth
er to pay war tribute nor cede a foot
of Russian SOIL st. Petersburg there
fore in the last resort remains to be
heard from. Doubtless this is the
reason why he fayors a postponement
over Sunday. Baron Komura probably
will welcome an adjournment of two
days in order that he also may lay the
situation before his government for its
final decision. The sudden revival of
deep pessimis1n was induced by the dis
patches given out when the plenipo-
tentiarieS returned to the hotel that
no progress had been made. But to
those in the inside that was not sur
pr1sing. Things have gone smoothly
enough only the ifnpasse had been
eacEed-there had been the CLINT of
cold steel in the conference chamber.
And the few words Mr.. Witte said to
the foreign newspaper correspondent
were as usual, not encouraging. He
looked tired and said nothing had been
accomplished.
Tomorrow" he said, 1--WE will finish
articles IL and 12.'
what then" he was asked.
Then we will go to dinner" he re-
dinner with Assistant Secretary Pierce
No very great hope was vouchsafed
in the Japanese camp.
Not Buffers
1--WE are not BUFFERS said Mr.. Sato,
and from an authoritative source the
Associated Press correspondent re-
ceived distinctively bad impression
regarding the outlook. TWAS coupled,
however, with an expression of the
hope that if it developed that the con-
ference was going to pieces President
Roosevelt might step in.
1--WE have heard that the president
having brought us together. has
washed his hands of further RESPONSE
bility. But he is resourceful. He
might do something"
WHAT
"That cannot say"
The Japanese view was explained.
eve came asking only what we want
ed. Our terms were moderate. The
world thinks so. 1t looks bad. 1 say
SO; 1 believe so. But the conference
may yet be saved from shipwreck.
Mr.. Witte has been gracious. He has
| done what he can, but he has a future
A very important conference oc-
Cured in Mr.. Whites rooms shortly
before midnight. There were present
Baron Rosen, the other Russian plen-
| ipotentiary, and Mr.. De Martens. Cen
| eral Yermaleff, Mr.. Pokotiloff Mr..
| Shipoff and Captain Boussin, the five
| Russian delegates. 1t is the first time
a full meeting of plenipotentiaries had
| been held since the conference began.
| The preliminary discussion of the Jap
anese conditions is already virtually
ended. It is not improbable that the
| Anal report and recommendations of
the Russian plenipotentiaries was
passed upon and transmitted to the
| emperor.
1t can be stated that the individual
views of the Russian mission differ as
to what point should be yielded if a
| compromise is to be offered. Some IA
vor the surrender of Sakhalin, others
an indemnity. None are ready to give
up both points.