The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-27
Move Passes to Russia.

In the regular course of procedure after the presentation of the Japanese com promise proposition on Wednesday, the diplomatic move passed to Russia, and 1t was M. Witte's turn naturally to present the counter proposition of his government. If he succeeded, as is intlmated in with holding his card, and forcing the Japan csc to play again, he undoubtedly gained point in the game. But no adequate account of the proceedings at todays meeting is forthcoming. The plenipo- tentiaries, by agreement, excluded the sec retaries. There were no minutes. This is no record. This in itself Is extremely significant. When men who are lighting desperate battle lock themselves in room alone, 1t is the best evidence that they are terribly in earnest. 1t Is d hope ful sign.
 All that is formally announced Is that the minutes of the last session were ap- proved, and upon Baron Komura's mo- ton the conference adjourned until Mon day at o'clock, but whether or not the counter proposition of Russia was sub mitted at this afternoons session 1t seems 10 be up to Japan to formally re- nounce her demand for the "frais de guerre" and try to obtain a partial re- compense in another way-for instance, by a bona fide sale of the northern half of Sakhalin. Emperor Nicholas response to MT. Meyer and his Instructions to M Witte marked his last word, so far as indemnity Is concerned. Compromise by which Japan can secure a comparatively moderate sum of money is still open.
 But the gulf to be spanned Is still wide between the two adyersaries Russia is now willing to divide Sakhaln. Japan Wp1pagdaV ptofp1ad ba faIo 1 by right of occupation. offering only to sell back the northern half at the price of the cost of the war" And 1t should be borne in mind that the elimination of articles 10 and Il Surrender of Russia interned warships and limitation of Rus sias sea power) was conditional upon her acceptance of this proposition. Bar on Komura and MT. Takahira want time to consult their governments before agreeing to yield further. The most competent Japanese authorities said to- night: "The question of peace or war still hangs in the balance"
 Dlssenton In Japanese Camp.
 For the first time there appears to be some dissension in the Japanese camp as to the advisability of making another eonciliatory step Many of the attaches are strongly of the opinion that they
 
 most prominent of them said tonight to the Associated Press:
 We only offered one-half of SakhaIln upon condition that we should receive for 1t the price we fixed. The island Is ours by right of conquest If Russia imagines we will give up half of it for nothing she is mistaken. Our answer should be come and take it."
 The main hope of peace rests as before, upon the fact that both sides are at heart sincerely anxious to end the war, that all the principles involved in the quarrel have been settled in favor of the victor and that with each days prolongatlon of the negotiations the pressure on both sides will increase, not to allow a mere question of money to stand between them The medium between Baron Kaneko, who is acting for Japan in the pour par- lers with the President and the Japanese plenipotentiaries. has been discovered. It IS MT. Uchida, the Japanese consul gen eral at New York. After Baron Kanekos visit to Oyster Bay yesterday a long &C., count of the interview was transmitted by telegraph In cipher to Baron Komura by MT. Uchida.