The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-08-29
PEACE CONFERENCE
AGAIN POSTPONED
Japanese Requested Until Tuesday
TO Hear From Toxic.
WON'T PAY INDEMNITY
viii Divide sakhalin and Pay Literally
For Maintenance Of Prsoners-Mr.
Takahira Says tho Situation Is Al
most Hopeless.

most Hopeless.
Portsmouth, n. H.. Aug. 2S-The
life OF the peace conference seems
to hang by a thread but the thread
will not be broken today. After
two. hours conference between Mt
Takahira and Mr.. Wittc. in the latterS
room In the hotel annex the announce
ment OF a postponemcnt was made.
Mr. Wittc explained that Mt TAXA
hlrn had told him that no new instruc-
tions had reached him from TOXIC,
and fearing none might be received
Leforc the meeting scheduled for TINS
afternoon. he had suggested The pro
prlety OF postpOning the meeting uh'll
tomorrow. To this Mr. Witte said be
had readily asscnleI Mr.. Talahira
made the following statement:
"Inasmuch as this conference was
initiated by the friendly oiii's Oh
your president alter consultation. we
felt that We should be cautious about
terminating its labors.'
Pressed az to whether he regarded
the situation as hopeless. Mr. TAXA
hira said. NO. not hopeless. but al
most hopeless"
This in itself from one who has
spoken always in the most guarded
fashion IS sufficient to show the des-
perateness of the situation. The real
crisis in the negotiations Is at hand.
Il IL very acute but II 1t can be tided
over for a few days without a rupture
n basis of peace acceptable to both
sides NAV come very suddenly But
10 save the situation now Japan must
sneak II tomorrow she has nothing
IN offer all is over. Mr.. Witte. even
If he would. is powerlcss to take a new
sten. His hands are tied. lie now
occupies the role Of an imperial mes
senger who transmits his masters
orders 10 Baron Komura. and Baron
Komura turns them over 10 Toxic for
tho response. The conference room has
ceased 10 be a place for negotiations.
Il is simply the place where the EN-
perors OF the warning countries eH-
change their communications by the
means OF their ENJOYS And upon the
point OF indemnity or roimbursem nj
i.n.-r any disguise Emperor Nicholas
las given the Japanese emperor MS
last word Mr. Witte accepts II as
final. and IN writing informed the Jap
anose plenipotentiaries that Russia
would have nothing further to say
upon this subject Russia would cede
half of Sakhalln and pay the cost Of
the maintenance Of the Russian pris-
oners. but that was all Emperor
Nicholas had given the same response
10 the president through Ambassador
Meyer.
The Russians believe Japan has
been automatically manoeuverod into
a corner from which, ii she now per
sists in her attempt to exact tribute,
with the alternative OF a continuation
of the war. she cannot oxtricate her
self before the public opinion OF the
world. Japan here and in Europo
they say. appealed for sympathy on
the ground that Russia had compelled
her TO take up arms 10 protect her
life. The fortune Of war had gone in
her favor. and Russia. recognizing that
she had been beaten. and preferring
neace 10 the continuation Of the war
had agreed to cede upon every point
involved in the quarrel. She was will
ing to allow Japan full swing In
Korea. she was willing 10 get out OF
Manchuria. bag and baggage and com
nit herself 10 the recognition OF
Chlnas integrity and the policy Of the
open door" But Japan insisted upon
tribute. and because Russia refused.
prolongs the carnage. In that act
they contend Japan would change the
purpose and character Of the war,
which would cease to be no longer one
Of principle but degenerate into war
for the exaction of money.
There is no doubt that the Japanese
are worried over this aspect Of the
situation. and they DO not propose to
be placed in this position If It can
be helped.
Whether the president has renewed
his efforts cannot be ascertalned here.
His former suggestion for a compro-
mise failed. He proposed the "indem-
nity-Sakhaiin" combination. but not in
the form in which 1t was presented by
Baron Komura at Wednesdays meet
ing. Instead of setting the price
q 200 100000 yen, the estimated cost
OF the war;, he suggested that If an
agreement could not be reached, the
fixing of the price should be left to a
board or commission. But Japan in
sisted upon inserting the sum and |
this made it impossible, in view OF the |
Russian declaration to accept It. |
Emperor Nicholas refused to 90 |
farther in addition to the concessions |
already made than to agree to the |
cession Of half Of Sakhalin.
According to a high Russian au-
thority who has been in a position to |
see President Roosevelt's cOmmunica- |
ton proposing a compromise, It quite |
clearly showed that the president con-
sidered that Japan's victories gave her |
the right to ask for an indemnity, IN |
fact II not in name and was also enti.
tied to Sakhalin. and that her military |
occupation of Sakhalin gave her the |
right to the island. The presidents |
friends, however, claim that when the
full text Of his proposition is before
the world all criticism must cease. t. |
is well. therefore. again to repeat the /
statement telegraphed last night
which comes from one In full posses
sion Of the entire action taken by
President Roosevelt
IF the civilized world could know
at this time the nrocisp nature OF the |