The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-08-26
COMPROMISE REJECTED
Russia Refuses to Pay Indemnity
Under ANY Name.


Portsmouth. y. H.. Aug. "a - The
japanese plenipotentiaries at the con
clusion of the afternoon session of the
peace conference threw the cards
upon the table. 1t was the dramatic
momont-the moment to which all the
previous proceedings of the confer
cnce have led. The protocols involving
agreement upon eight Of the y con
ditions originally presented by Japan
had been signed one side or the
other must make move or the pleni-
potentiaries had reached the parting
of the ways Figuratiyely. President
Roosevelt suddenly entered the con
ference room Mr. Witte sat silent
and the move i'm the great diplomatic
game passed TO japan Baron Komura
in a few words explained that Japan in
her great desire for peace was ready
TO make certain notifications OF the
original articles. in the hope that Rus
STA could find it possible to accept
them. He presented in writing to
MIR. WHITE the compromise proposition
which President Roosevelt had sug-
gested. Ii was concrete and specific.
and Il followed the lines outlined in
these dispatches. Il offered to with
draw article nine. providing for the
payment by Russia OF Japan'f bill for
| the cost of war, on conditions that
Russia would accept article five. which
provides for the cessiOn Of the Island
/ of Sakhalin so modified as to include
an arrangement for the re-purchase by
Russia Of the northern half OF the
island for 1.20O. 900 yen. In addi-
ton It offered to withdraw entirely
articles il and u surrender of the
| informed warships and limitation upon
Russia's sea power in the Far EasD.
It was President Roosevelts compro-
mise. and Mr.. White knew its CON
tents as we'll as Baron Komura The
question OF whether he had been
"bluffng" was put TO the test.
Without a moments hesitation Mr..
Witte explained that the modification
proposed was merely sham. change
Of phraseology. a diplomatic attempt
to "dorer la pilule" and ask Russia TO
nav war tribute under another name.
He could not accept ii. He told Baron
Komura Russia wanted peace. she
had given the proofs in accepting
every article involving the issues on
which the war was fought, but she
could fight, and money for tribute she
would not pay. not a copeck. lie asked
| Baron Komura to withdraw all de-
mands for tribute. And so the pleni-
potentiaries separated. to meet again
on Saturday. ostensibly to permit Mr..
White to place in writing, as the rules
of the conference require. his reply TO
the japanese compromise proposition.
In reality the adjournment over the
two days was to give each side an op-
portunity to consult its government
for the last time
The outlook Is black. many believe
II was never so black as today. The
japanese are not talking. Indeed.
they appear to be more tactiturn and
moro resOlute than ever. The only
possible line Of further Japanese con-
cession is considered to lie in the d.
rection of a diminution OF the amount
of the purchase money demanded for
the north half of Sakhalin. The de-
cision rests therefore. as It has from
the first, with Russia Unless the en-
peror agrees to yield between now
and Saturday the end is likely to come
on that dav.
But few men who attend strictly to
their own business die from overwork.