New-York tribune., 1905-08-19


yielded upon two articles but substantially the
result Of rho thirteen sittings Of the penfpo-
tentiaries has only been to emphasize the posi-
tton taken by NJ Vitte in the written reply ne
| presented last Saturday 10 the japanese terms
And now both sides turn 80 home for the last
word II fresh instructions are received by
either side compromise is yet possible But the
chances are recognized to he slim
So far as the Russian plenipotentisries are
concerned there never was a chance OF the"
welding both indemnity and saghaien. The
ceeson of ssghalien without indemnity was
according to the best information. the extreme
limit 10 which NJ Witte would consent To 60
and the Emperor has not yet given the word 10
concede even that. Tonight suddenly new
factor has been introduced. which. in the opinion
of those most competent, lessons materially the
chances that he might do namely, the issu-
ance of his manifesto granting popular repre-
sentative body to his subjects
The bearings of this document upon the issue
are easily comprehendibe. 1t is bound 10
su,.liorate the internal situation in Russia. 1t
is the entering wedge for the realization of the
centriry-old dream OF the Russian people
eft will create enthusiasm home" said one
OF the lea ding members of the Russian mission
because all thinking men realize that II means
eventually a great change in the composition
OF the Russian state. 1t will be followed oy
tr,. nar,ament responsible Ministry.
Pren,ier and Russia will become constitutional
monarchy.
1T is pointed out that the manifesto is very
carefully timed and that it's significance is too
plain to be questioned It to have been
issued last Saturday, when the Russian reply
was presented. but it was held over until the
end of the oral consideration of the Japanese
terms Meantime the terms had been published
everywhere throughout Russia. The press. even
the liberal press. had replied that Russia could
pay money for the privilege of getting out
OF Manchuria. The Emperor had publicly pro-
claimed to his subjects July 2S in reply to a
telegram OF the Oremburg clergy
The Russian people can rely upon me. l will
never conclude a peace humiliating or unworthy
Of great Russia
The manifesto is Emperor Nicholass answer
to the Japanese demand for the payment of
war tribute The grant of this broad reform is
regarded as virtually appeal to the Russian
people for support resist it.
At Toxic it is impossible 10 tell what view will
he taken. Peace probably can be even now Sc
cured by the sacrifice of the indemnity. Vague
intnations tonight come from the japanese
side that "the demand for the cost of the war
might be moderated, but NJ. Witte's reply is that
he viii pay literally for the maintenance Of the
Russian prisoners in Japan, but mot kopeck
for tribute
The gravity of the situation frpm the Japan
ese point of view is expressed il the following
authoritative statement
L cannot say positively. because all things
are possible, but l fear that the meeting on
Tuesday will be the farewell session of the
Washington conference. Japan has done her
utmost for peace Russia now knows Japan's
rreducibe minimum"
NJ Wttte. himself, tonight gave not the
slightest encourae cement For publication he
said We meet Tuesday only to sign the pro
tocol." with the accent on the word onlT.
Another bad sign was the change in the per
sonal attitude of the plenipotentiaries toward
each other During the week they have heen
growing more and more friendly at the luncheon
which they take together at the navy yard
Their conversation was lively. and even gay at
times To-day they ate in silence. All seemed
strangely constrained. as if realizing that they
could only agree 70 disagree and that the war
must GO
Tonight the situation he summed up in
2 single sentence-proupt and heroic action by
outside influence alone can save the conference.