Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-13
RIFT IN THE CLOUDS.
Prospects Of Successful Issue Bright
ened Somewhat.


ened Somewhat.
| By Associated Press
| PORTSMOUTH, N. H. August 12.-There
| Is rift in the clouds. The prospects of a
successful issue of the washington con-
| ference have frightened somewhat as a
| result Of today's developments. The dis
| cussion Of the terms submitted by Japan
| has actually begun. but this has been ac-
| complished by postponing the considera-
| ton of the two main issues. indemnity and
the cession of Sakhalin. So far as ascer-
tainabIe, the japanese were responsible for
the tactics by which this hopeful stage was
entered upon.
AS the mantle OF secrecy has been thrown
around the proceedings by mutual pledges
not to divulge what happened within the
council chamber there are missing links
in the chain Of evidence. and 1t IS impos-
sible to judge whether this signifies back
down on either side on the main points. On
the face of things, both sides are still as
uncomprom!sing as ever upon the two is
sues, the struggle over them being merely
postponed.
Some sort OF private understanding ar
rived at by Baron kornura and Mr.. Witte
during the recess at the navy yard today Is
hinted at. but there is not the slightest
confirmation obtainable. No evidence Of
a change of the uncompromisng attitude
the part of Mr. Witte or Baron Rosen
regarding the main points is observable.
Nevertheless the japanese who are at
tached TO the Nippon mission plainly mani
fest elation, and some of them privately
assert that Mr.. Wtte would never have
consented to the discussion of the terms
had he not been prepared to yield on the
question of Sakhalin.
Estimate Largely Surmise.
All this appears yet to be largely surmise
| and deduction, but certainly the curtain OF
mystery which has now been rung down
might easily conceal important maneuver-
ing from the public gaze.
The Russian reply, with It's non-possimus
as to indemnity and the Sakhalln, had been
presented IN the morning. Yet. In spite OF
this fact. at o'clock the plenipotentiaries
met, and after agreeing to discuss the con-
dit!ons seriatim, entered upon the consider
alton of the first of the japanese terms.
The proposition to discuss the conditions in
this way is believed TO have emanated from
the japanese side.
The first condition was OF secondary i'm
portance-one OF those which Russia had
passed upon as conditionally acceptable as
a basis of diScussion-yet little progress
was made. Four hours were spent in de-
batting IT, but no conclusion reached.
AS there are twelve conditions and this one
Is of minor Importance, the outlook Is still
gloomy. The plenipotentiaries at o'clock
adjourned until tomorrow afternoon at
o'clock. The japanese wanted to hold q
| session in the morning, but Mr.. Witte would
not agree 10 this. as ii Sunday.
Both OF today's sessions are described as
| friendly but no details are divulged. Mr..
Wltte, however. makes no concea alment of
| the fact that the rigid secrecy which the
| japanese insisted upon imposing upon the
proceedings is distasteful to him. With
much earnestneSs he spoke tonight 10 the
| Associated Press correspondent upon tie
| subject. At the time he labor
Ing under considerable excitement because
| OF the published assertion which had been
| called to his attention that he had pleaded
| for an armistice. For the dignity of Rus
! sin and the pride of his country he asked
| that al absolute denial should be given to
! the report
No Desire for Secrecy
! Recurring to the question of the secrecy
of the proceedings. he said that he did not
| understand the japanese desire 10 conceal
what was taking place. nor could he ap-
preciate the logic OF the arguments they ad-
| duced in support OF their position
| we desire." said he, that everything
| in the daylight. Russia is ready TO be
| judged by tie Who!e world. We have moth
| ing to conceal and nothing to fear. Be
| fore the conference began all sorts of
| ports and misstatements emanated from
| the other side. Now that the world needs
| enlightenment, now that the moment has
| come to face the supreme tribunal of pub
| lie opinion. we not permitted to place
| before the world the evidence in our pos
! session from which just verdict could be
| returned TO the issue between the bel
| liSerents.
| The Russian plenipotentiaries stand
| ready to publish the text of the Japanese
| conditions, the fun reply of Russia pre-
| scented this morning, the diplomatic notes
! that have been exchanged and the minutes
| of the sittings. The issue now being tried
| at Portsmouth is not only a question of
| peace or war. between Russia and japan
| but one which might produce a general
1 ,+la.r ha Chn1 dive -
| blood in many countries"
| Observations Last Night.
Many of the observers at the Wentworth
| tonight recalled the fact that all the state
ments emanating from Japanese sources
| before the conference declared that Japan,
| before consenting to take up the detailed
| Continued on Third Page,)