The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-21


OF Agreement-Drafts in French and
ENGLISH May Arouse New Discussion.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H.; Aug. 2o.-1n his
conversation yesterday with Baron Rosen,
the Russian peace envoy whom he had
called to Oyster Bay to receive an i'm
portAnt communication, President Roose-
welt made the proposition, subject to the
approval Of Mr.. Witte and Baron Rosen.
that he use bis good Offices to ascertain
from tho Japanese Government whether
it would be willing to make concessions
to Russia In order to avert a continuance
Of the war.
The Presidents suggestion has been
communicated to the Russian Govern
ment, and 1t is believed that his tender
will be courteously accepted. In the
meantime the status Of the peace negotia-
tions will be uncertain. But little hope OF q
favorable outcome is felt here.
The President made it plain to Baron
Roeen that he would not take any action
without theco enhance and consent OF Mr..
Witte, to whom he sent message through
Baron Rosen expressing the hope that the
areat Russian statesman would approve
the su question which the President had put
forward. This message was delivered
orally by Baron Rosen to Mr.. Witte this
afternoon, and the proposal Of Mr.. Roosevelt
was accepted, subject to the approval OF
the Emperor
While Mr.. Witte, out Of courtesy to the
President Of the United States. has felt
Obliged to aoquiesoe in Mr.. Roosevelt's
plan to the extent OF communicating 1t to
the Car for consideration, he ia appar-
entity determined not to make any adj
ditional CONCESSIONS in behalf Of Russia
to bring the Japanese to modify the terms
upon which the peace ENJOYS have been
unable to agree. To accept the Presi-
dents suggestion outright would compel
Mr.. White, according to the Russian view,
to recede from the position to which the
two plenipotentiaries Of tho Car have
adhered. Personally Mr. Witte Is not in
clined to 60 any further than he has gone
in his effort to secure a compromise. and
unless he gets instructions from st. Peters
burg to the contrary he will not move
one iota from the attitude he has assumed
toward his Japanese adversaries.
nuss1As POSITION.
In the opinion Of members Of the Russian
commission there is practically no no pc
that President Roosevelt's offer will tend
to bring about favorable conclusion to
the peace negotiations. This is not based
merely on knowledge Of the personal inclina-
tons OF Mr.. witte and Baron Rosen, but
arises from advioes received by the Russian
ENJOYS to-day that at q meeting OF the Car
and the State Council at Peterhof yesterday
1t was determined that no further conces-
sions should be made to the Japanese.
The information communicated to the
Cars ENJOYS by their Government Is that
the Council of State took the position that
all concessions that could possibly be made
without surrender Of dignity and power
had been granted. and . suggestion that
Russia 20 beyond that point could not be
tolerated.
With this insight Of the Russian position
the hope that peace will result from the
Portsmouth conference is reduced to a
minimum. The members Of the Cars
mission, from Mr.. White down. regard
failure as certainty. They are making no
secret Of their pessimistic attitude. Mr..
Martens the principal adviser Of the Rus
sian Observation-Disclosures. declared emphatic
ally to-day that the exchanges would prove
unsuccessful.
THE situation is unchanged he said.
.We shall 60 home on Wednesday, In my
opinion
This is the prevailing view..on the Russian
side. As for the Japanese, they are as
silent as over, although they will not con-
oede that all hope Of a successful issue
should be abandoned. In this attitude on
the part OF the Toxic Governments ennis
saries some people find cause for the belief
that Baron Komura and Mr.. Takahira are
prepared to propose some plan Of COM
promise to prevent the conference from
ending without result. But Baron Komura
and Mr.. TakAhira are telling nothing. and
there IA not The slightest prospect that they
viii opso their Lips Il thsy have anything