The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-25

Portsmouth, n. H., August 23.-ThA
Japanese plenipotentiaries, at the con-
cusion of the afternoon session of the
peace conference, threw the cards upon
the table 1t was the dramatic moment
the moment to which all the previous
proceedings of the conference had !ei.
The protocols involving agreement
upon eight of the twelve conditions
originally presented by Japan had been
signed One side or the other must
make a move, or the plenipotentiaries
had reached the parting Of the ways.
The adversaries faced each other across
the table. Of course it was we'll un-
derstood what would happen, but that
in a way only made it more dramatic.
Figuratively, President Roosevelt sud
denly entered the conference room.
M. Witte sat silent, and the move
in the great diplomatic game passed to
Japan Baron Komura in few words
explained that Japan in her great de-
sire for peace was ready to make GER
tain notifications" of the original ar
ticles in the nope that Russia could
find it proper to accept them. He then
presented in writing to NJ. Witte the
compromise proposition which Presl-
dent Roosevelt had suggested. 1t was
concrete and specific and it followed
the lines outlined in these dispatches.
1t offered to withdraw article 9. pro-
viding for the payment by Russia OF
Japan's bill for the cost of the war, on
conditions that Russia would accept
article 5, which provides for the ces-
sion of the island of Sakahlin. so modi
fed as to include an arrangement for
the re-purchase by Russia of the north
ern half of the island for 1900, ,00O,100
yen In addition it offered to with
draw entirely articles II and II (sur-
render of the interned warships and
limitation upon Russia's sea power in
the far east). 1t was President Roose-
velt's compromise and M. Witte knew
it's contents as we'll as Baron Komura
The question Of whether he had been
'bluffing' was put to the test.
Without a moments hesitation, M.
Witte explained that the modification
proposed was merely sham, change
of phraseOlogy, diplomatic attempt 70
'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 the 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 a copeck. He asked Baron
Komura to withdraw all demands for
tribute. And so the plenipotentiarjes
separated, to meet on Saturday, osten-
sibly to permit NJ Witte to place in
writing, as the rules require, his reply
to the Japanese compromise PROPOSE
ton. In reality the adjournment over
the two days was to give each side an
opportunity ~to consult it's government
for the last time
The outlook is black, many believe it
was never SO black as tonight. The
Japanese are not talking Indeed To-
night they appear to be more taciturl
and more resolute tahn ever The only.
possible line Of further Japanese con
cessiOn is considered to lie in the di-
rection of diminution of the amount
of the purchase money demanded for
the northern half of Sakahlin. The de-
cision rests, therefore. as it has from
the first, with Russia. Unless the el1-
peror agrees to yield between now and
Saturday, the end is likely to come up
that day And the indications from
Peterhof, instead of raising the chances
of change of keart on the part of the
emperor, seem to indicate even a firm
er determination to yield neither ter
ritory nor indemnity, sugar-coate9
though the latter may be.
The lorg instruction received last
night, while not reply to the COM
rnnnioatinn of President Roosevelt