Evening journal., 1905-08-21
RUSSIA WILL
NOT YIELD AND
JAPAN IS FIRM
President Roosevelts Tender
However May Avert a
Peace Crisis
THIS OUTCOME Is HOPED FOR

Portsmouth N. H., Aug. 2i.-The Asso-
ciated Press is able to announce that the
feature or the proposition OF President
Roosevelt, communicated through Baron
Rocen to M. Witte an dtransmitted by the
latter to Emperor Nicholas. was based
upon the principle OF arbitration. Whether
the proposal contemplates arbitration OF
all the articles upon which the plenipoten-
tiarcs have failed to agree or only upon
the question Of indemnity cannot be stat
ed with positivenoss. but II Is more than
probable that it relates only TO indemnity
or 20 indemnity and the cession Of the
Island Of Sakhalin.
Neither is it possible to say whether the
President has yet made a similar PROPOSE
tion to Japan. The customary diplomatic
proceedings in such case would be to
submit the proposal simultaneously 70
both countries. but there might be an ad-
vantage in securing the adherence Of one
before submitting it to the other.
To Emperor Nicholas, the author OF The
Hague Peace Conference. the suggestion
Of arbitration, which viii necessarily inn
mdeiately command the sympathy OF the
public opinion OF the world, will be par
ucularly hard to reject
ARBITRATION HOPED FOR.
If he agrees. Japan. If she has not al
ready done so, would be all the more
bound to submit her claim to the decision
Of an impartial arbitrator Acceptance by
both sides would involve great extension
OF the principle OF arbitration. as nations
have heretofore declined 10 arbitrate ques-
tions involving their honor and dignity.
Both Mr.. Takahira and NJ. Witte. In the
earlier stages of the conference. abso-
lutely rejected the idea of arbitration
The chances Of peace have undoubtedly
been improved by President Roosevelt.
action. but the result is stnl in suspense
The decision Of the issue has passed from
the plenipotentiarles to their principals
from Portsmouth to ST. Petersburg and
perhaps in a lesser extent to Toxic.
Although there are collateral evidence
that pressure both by President Roose
welt and neutral powers, including Japan
ally, Great Britain, whose Minister 81
Claude M. Macdonald. according 10 al
vices received here, had @ long conferenc
yesterday afternoon with Count katsur
the Japanese Premier. IS stfl being eS
erted at Toxic to induce Japan TO moder
ate her demands there is also reason {
believe that President Roosevelt was abl
at his interview with Baron Rosen practi
cally to communicate Japan's irreducibl
minimum-what she would yield but tn
point beyond which she would mt 60
OUTCOME IS A PROBLEM.
whether an actual. basis Of oompromis
was proposed by the President cannot b
stated definitely The only thing that cal
be affirmed positively is that II Russia re
fuses to act on the suggestion or propo
sition Of President Roosevelt. the peac
conference will end IN failure.
Ana in the Russian camp little encour
agement is given. Baron Rosen reaches
here yesterday. after an all-night rid
from oyster Bay. shortly before noon
and Immediately went into conferenc
with NJ. Witte. They remained closeted to
r gether for almost three hours, duTii
/ which time the whole situation was re
viewed Baron Rosen communicated Z
{ his chief the Presidents message. and
+ was transmitted to the Emperor, togethe
with NJ. Whites recommendation
NNo clue TO the nature Of this recon
mendation has transpired. but it can b
stated that NJ Witte. no matter how h'
personally, may view the proposition,
distinctly pessimistic as to the characte
OF the response which will come from 81
/, Petersburg. To n confidential friend yes
terday afternoon he offered little hop
of change in the situation.
JAPs REMAIN FIRM