Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-21
PEACE PLENARIES
ARE PESSIMISTIC
ENTERTAIN SMALL HOPE OF
SUCCESS
AWAITING CzAR'S DECISION
Japanese ENJOYS Hold Firmly to De-
mands for sakhalln and Heavy
lndemnty-Presldent Pro-
poses Arbitration
AWAITING CzAR's DECISION
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. 20.--The
chances of peace have undoubtedly
been improved by President Roose-
velt's action in stepping into the breach
in last endeavor to induce the war
ring countries to compromise their 'ir-
reconcilable differences" but the re-
suit is still in suspense.
The ultimate decision of the issue has
de facto If not de 1ure passed from the
plenipotentiaries to their principals
from Portsmouth to st. Petersburg and
perhaps in a lesser extent to Toxic.
Although there are collateral evidences
that pressure, both by President Roose-
welt and neutral powers, including
Japans ally, Great Britain, whose min
ister, Sir Claude Macdonald, according
to dispatch received here, had long
conference this afternoon with Mr..
Katsura, the Japanese premier, is still
being exerted at Toxic to induce Japan
to moderate her demands.
There is also reason to believe that
President Roosevelt was able at this
interview with Baron de Rosen to
practically communicate to the latter's
senior, M. Witte, Japans irreducible
minimum--what she would yield, but
the point beyond which she would not
go.
Witte Is Pessimistic
Whether an actual basis of COM
promise was proposed by the president
cannot be stated definitely, The only
thing that can be affirmed positively is
that if Russia refused to act upon the
suggestions or propositions of Presi-
dent Roosevelt the peace conferences
will end in failure.
And in the Russian camp little en-
couragement is given. Baron de Rosen
reached here after an all night ride
from oyster Bay shortly before noon
and Immediately went into conference
with M. Witte. They remained clos
eted together for almost three hours,
during which the whole situation was
reviewed. Baron de Rosen communi-
Gated to his chief the presidents mes
sage and it was transmitted to the
emperor, together with M. Whites
recommendation.
No clue to the nature of this recon-
mendation has transpired. But it can
be said that M. Witte. no matter how
he personally may view the PROPOSE
tion, is distinctly pessimistic as to the
character of the response which will
come from st. Petersburg.
Japanese ENJOYS Are Firm
To confidential friend this after
noon he offered little hope of a change
in the situation.
The Japanese, it is firmly believed,
cling to the substance of the form of
their demand for remuneration for
"the cost of the war;"
Perhaps they are willing to decrease
the sum asked, but substantial COM
pensation under whatever guise 1t is
obtained they decline to relinquish.
And they also are firm upon the cession
of Sakhalin. BY the transfer Of the
southern branch of the Chinese East
ern railway first to Japan for relin-
quishment to China, payment for the
maintenance of the Russian prisoners
and the surrender of the Russian war
ships, 1t is possible to figure out total
transfer to Japan in money and prop
erty of about $250,0OO,OOO. But this is
the limit.
The Japanese as usual are very
reticent and it is impossible to obtain
from them the least indication of their
view of the change in the situation pro-
duced by the presidents action. 1t is
taken for granted that the presidents
appeal was made to Japan as it was
to Russia, but the Japanese side of the
negotiations looking to compromise is
almost completely in the dark. 1t is
understood that Baron Kaneko was
able to explain the Japanese views
to the president.
VIII Next Try Japan
If the president is successful with
Russia it may be that he will then turn
to Japan. That would be the natural
course If he has suggested to Russia
what he regards as a fair compromise
and has undertaken. if Russia accepts,
to use his influence to induce Japan to
accept.
The Japanese view of the situation is
authoritatively but rather humorously
stated thus;
The result viii be known soon. 1t is
as useless to speculate as for the pleni-
potentiary to give his opinion of the
sex of the unborn infant. When the
child is born we will be able to tell
whether 1t is a boy or girl.
Emperor Nicholas decision upon the
fate of the conference. according to the
best informed Russians depends upon