New-York tribune., 1905-08-26

distinct impression was gathered that they
would scale their money demand ana use any
formula which would be acceptable te Russia
IT is not believed that they purpose 70 let the
conference end tomorrow.
on the Russian side all pretense Of claiming
that NJ. witte is any longer negotiating has
been abandoned. He has gone 70 the further
most limit of the Cars orders More ne cannot
DO. sincerely he personally max desire 70
bring the negotiations 10 a peaceful conclusion
His position is a difficult and peculiar one, lie
is a statesman OF large ambitioa, Liberal at
heart, he is yet servant Of his, sovereign. AT
the present juncture his role is described as like
that OF Mirabeau. he stands between the King
and his people He obeys his sovereign but he
wants his people TO know where the RESPONSE
bility for the fate OF the negotiations must resi-
AT the same time he cannot himself take iirm
stand against his sovereign
Tor this reason and the authenticated MS
tory Of this conference viii bear out this state
ment, he preferred when first appealed TO by
President Roosevelt TO have the latter go
straight TO the Emperor with his suggestions.
Though perhaps I'm full sympathy with the
President, have himself appear too ardently.
or even 10 have openly indorsed the President,
against his instructions might considering the
influences at the court. which are personally
hostile 70 NJ. witte. have injured instead OF bet
tered the chances for peace.
When the Presidents first effort failed, NJ.
Witte did not discourage a second made in such
q way that the Emperor would have difficulty
in declining out of courtesy TO the President to
empower NJ Witte at least tentatively, TO pro-
ceed with the negotiations and see If a satisfac-
tory basis could not be arranged. reserving the
last word TO himself. Should such authority
come at the eleventh hour. NJ Witte might
make the best terms he could and then. figura-
lively, throw treaty at the Emperor's feet to
take or leave; yes or no.
AS politician. NJ. Witte might not relish the
idea OF having It said when he returned TO Rus
sia that he had made bad peace" He might
prefer the Emperor 10 shoulder that RESPONSE
bility. But shortly before midnight NJ. witte
gave absolutely no encouragement to the idea
that there would be change of heart at St.
Petersburg. Unless Toxic ready TO recede
further, he expressed the opinion that all was
over. He used the following words:
have received To telegram from St Peters
burg which changes the situation. Indeed. do
not expect any have not asked instructions,
so that I cannot receive any. If tomorrow
there is 10 be q change, II must come from the
japanese side.
This would TO indicate that the Presi-
dents second effort had failed at St. Peters
burg. What, IL anything, he has been able 10
do at Toxic. through his interview with Baron
kaneko this afternoon. still remains mystery.
That the last word has not come from Toxic
and that Baron Komura may still appear in a
conciliatory role Tomorrow, may possibly be
inferred from the following:
The time for the sitting of the conference to-
morrow was not set when the adjournment was
taken on "Wednesday. This evening NJ Witte
through his secretary. informed the Japanese
ENJOYS that he was ready 10 meet them in the
morning at $3.50 o'clock The Japanese, after
consultation demurred. on the ground that the
minutes OF the last meeting would not be ready
IN Time. Therefore, at their request. the meet
ing was set for o'clock in the afternoon
Information received at a late hour indicates
mat President Roosevelt's efforts are not ex-
hausted; that he is still in communication with
Toxic and ST Petersburg To-morrow's meet
Ils, consequently, is likely not to prove de-
cisive. II will probably be perfunctorv and
some pretext found to adjourn over until Mon
oey or Tuesday. At midnight message had
reached NJ Witte from the President and il was
regarded as practically certain that an adjourn
nent would be taken tomorrow until Monday