New-York tribune., 1905-08-28

ruo-, = s,sci,l CORRESPONDENT Of The Tribune
Portsmouth. y H. Aug 2T.-President Roose-
velt has made final appeal TO Toxic on whieh
hangs the fate of the peace conference, and II
is nrobable that the session set for tomorrow
afternoon will be postponed until Tuesday IN
order that the result of this appeal may ne
known. The japanese ENJOYS do not, however
expect that it will prove successful Minister
Takahira paid a call to NJ Wftte this evening
and remained in his apartments for three-quar-
ters of an hour. after which NJ. Witte announced
the probabIe postponement of to-morrows ses-
sion.
Minister Takahira said that he expected
postponement, as-it was unlikely. in view OF the
difference in time between Oyster Bay ana
Toxic, fourteen hours, that the expected reply
would be received in time to permit OF session
tomorrow. He added that the postponement
would no taken as a matter of courtesy to
President Roosevelt. but declined to explain
further.
EVERYTHING points to failure of the CONFER
ence and an early final adjournment the only
exception to the general indications being tnlS
last effort oSthe President, for the success OF
which the Japanese profess TO entertain little
hone NJ. Witte says positively that he sees abb
soluteIy no prospect Of peace. He regards 1t as
probable that the Japanese ENJOYS intend 10
submit some new proposition, but does not De-
lieve that they will make concessions so radlcal
as to warrant their more than momentary con-
sideration by himself and his colleagues IT, as
he anticipates the Japanese proposition should
contain any provision for cash payment, other
than further maintenance and care OF Russians
held prisoners. he will. acting with his present
instructions, promptly reject 1t.
Minister Takahira, on the other hand, declares
emphatically that he and his colleague will sub
nit no proposition whatever Baron Komura's
request of Yesterday for another session was
made, it is maintained. with the belief that Rus
sia would realize that japan was in deadly
I earnest, and that the Presidents efforts might
accomplish something.
| 1t is, Of course, possible that either the Car
or the Mikado may make some radical conces-
sion at the eleventh hour. but the possibility is
remote. while the indications are now that the
Presidents efforts will not meet with success,
although they may somewhat prolong the con-
ference.
Now that the end seems near at hand, the de-
/ presson of both missions is obvious The
prospect of renewed warfare, the terrible loss
of life which this will mean, the always present
danger of disastrous defeats for both sides, CON-
bfne TO sadden the men who have striven to
| bring about peace but who have thus far been
so restricted by instructions from their gov
! ernments that their efforts have come to naught
| Sixty-sx thousand and seventy-one Russians
| are to-day confined in Japanese prisons, and.
! despite the fact that they are receiving every
courtesy as prisoners of war; their fate cannot
/ but occasion concern to those who have hoped
/ that through their instrumentality the freedom
! of these men might be effected. There are only
| G2O Japanese prisoners in Russia, with 137 more
supposed TO be there but whose fate is in doubt.
The experience of japanese prisoners within the
Russian lines in the past has been such as to
occasion grave anxiety for the fate of the COM
paratively few men whom Russia now holds
Even should this conference fail, it cannot be
regarded as effort wasted. for it has served to
teach many lessons to the plenipotentiaries on
work of that conference which must ultimately
end the war
The day in Portsmouth has been without in
cident of moment. apart from Mr. Takahira s
call of this evening. Each side has been wait
ing hoping almost against hope, perhaps pray