Arizona republican., 1905-08-21
Hope of Peace Rests on
the Presidents Action
THE SILENT JAPANESE
The Russians Pessimistic is Only
Certain now That Peace or Further
War Hangs ON the Word That Nay
Come From St. Petersburg.

Portsmouth, y. H. Aug. 2O-The
chances of peace have undoubtedly
improved by President Roosevelt's ac-
tion in stepping into the breach in
last heroic endeavor to induce the
varring countries to compromise their
"irreconcilable differences" but the re
suit is still in suspense.
The ultimate decision of the issue
has defacto if not dejure, passed from
me plenipOtentiaries to their princi-
pals. from Portsmouth to st. Peters
burg and perhaps in a lesser extent
TO Toxic. There is collateral evidence
that pressure both by President
Roosevelt and the neutral powers, in
Guiding JaDan's ally. Great Britain,
whose minister, Sir Claude MacDon-
aid. according to a dispatch received
here, had a long conference this af-
ternoon with Mr.. Katsura, the Japa-
nese premier, is still being eXerted at
Toxic TO induce JaDan TO moderate
her demands. There is also reason
10 believe that President Roosevelt
was able at his interview with Baron
de Rosen to practically communicate
to the latter's senior. NJ. Witte ia
pans irreducible minimum. what she
would recall, and the point beyond
which she would not go. Whether an
actual basis of compromise was pro-
posed by the president cannot be
stated definitely. The only thing that
can be affirmed positively is that if
Russia refuses to act upon the sug-
gestiOn or proposition of President
Roosevelt the peace conference will
end IN failure.
And in the Russian camp little en-
coura cement is given.s Baron, de Ros-
an. OH har al F. al nj rin
from oyster Bay. shortly before noon,
and Immediately went into conference
with NJ. Witte. They remained close
ly 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 NJ. Witte's rec
Ommendation. No clue to the nature
Of this recommendation has transpir-
ed but il can be said that NJ. Witte
no matter how he personally may
view the proposition, is distinctly pes
simistic as to the character of the re-
sponse which will come from St. Pet
ersburg. To a confidential friend this
afternoon he offered little hope of a
change in the conditions.
The japanese it is believed firmly
cling to the substance and form of
their demand for remuneration for
the cost of the war" Perhaps they
would be willing to decrease the sum
asked but a substantial compensation
under whatever guise it. is obtained,
they decline to relinquish. The Japa-
nese 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 produced by
the presidents action. The japanese
view OF the situation is authoritatively
but rather humorously stated thus:
The result will be known soon. 1t
is useless to speculate. 1t is unwise
for a plenipotentiary to give his Opin-
ion of the sex of an unborn infant.
When the child is born we will be able
to tell whether it is a boy or a girl"
Emperor Nicholas decision upon
which the fate of the conference seems !
to hang, will, according TO the best
informed Russians. depend upon con-
ditiOns at home and these conditions
they do not believe are prOpitious of
a decision favorable to peace Two |
big factors are the internal conditions !