The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-08-12
PEACE TERMS MAY
Be KNOWN SOON

DL HNUWN OOON
Japan's ENJOYS Expected to Give
Russia Her Demands Today.
FIRST DAYS SESSION SHORT ONE
The Question Of Russia's Paying An
Indemnity Regarded AS the Greatest
Obstacle In the Way of An Early
Conclusion Of Peace.
Portsmouth. Aug. 10. - with the
probability that Baron komuIa VIII
today reveal 10 the Russian plchipo-
teutiaries the terms upon which Japan
is willing To conclude peace. opinion
as to the outcome among those Nho
are congrcgated here to watch the pro.
cccdinss has become decidedly pessi
mistic. This is due to the growing
conviction that Jauau's conditions Will
NOT urove as modcr.Ve As were at one
time anticipated and especially IN the
matter of indemnity may preclude the
probability of their acceptance by The
Russian ENJOYS as a basis of negoua-
ton
The firm attitude of Mr.. White in
private conversation against the pay
ment of an indemnity and the insist
emit reports cmanatiug from japanese
quarters that stin war contribution.
auprONimating the cost of the war.
yariously stated at from S6oo.uuo.OOo TO
$500. 1000. 600. constitutes one OF Japan
demands. indicates wide. il not IT.
recoucilablc. difference between ia.
pan's irreducible minimum and what
Russia is prepared 10 accept Upon
the question of the payment OF large
indemnity. the instructions of the Rus
sian Observation-Disclosures are believed TO
admit of NO concessions although IL
IS possible a certain compensation IN
kind might De arranged For instance.
il is suggested that for the relinQush-
ment of the Island OF Sakhaiin now
potentially in Japan's hands. the pos
session OF which by Japan would give
her command of the whole Siberian
Mttoral Russia could with propriety
pay q large sum
Gloomy forebodings however. may
be- premature at this juncture. a. ev-
erythinC indicates the plenipotentia-
ries upon both sides are sincerely de-
sirous of concluding a treaty of peace.
The first meeting of the plenipoten-
tiarios was of an entirely informal
character SO Informal in fact. that
Baron Komura did not bring his letter
of credenCe 90 the Portsmouth navy
yard whereas Mr.. Witte was armed
with the original document In Rus
sian. setting forth the powers con
ferred upon him. and also with a
translation of the document. The lat
ter be read Baron kOmura was en-
barrassed. and offered TO send back
10 the hotel Tor his commission. but
Mr.. Wite expressed his faith that the
credentials were full and ample and
il was arranged that official exchange
of credentials should be made today.
Later however. copies Of the creden-
tails We're informally exchanged. in
order that they might be examined be-
fore the meeting today
It was decided to hold two daily
sessions. one in the morning. begin
ming NJ $50. and one in the afternoon.
beginning AT 3. Three secretaries for
each side will be in attendance To
draw up the protocols OF the meetings.
which will Dee written in both English
and French The French text. how
ever. in case of dispute. will be accept
ed in evidence (faire fob.
While the Russian plenipotentiarics
expect the japanese to present the
japanese terms Immediately upon the
official exchange of credentials today.
they admit they are in the dark. Ba
ron komura and his colleagues de-
cline to give any intimation OF their
course OF procedure.
There was some disposition TO at
tribute Baron Komuras forgetfulness
in not bringing his credentials To the
meeting a desire to spar for time. and
for that reason some doubt was eX-
pressed whether the japanese would
show their hand today. but the Rus
sian ENJOYS do not question Baron
KOmuras good faith. and frankly say
it was due to a misunderstanding
In the opinion of the Russians. the
emperor's manifesto promulgating the
national assembly project will mate
rally strengthen the position of the
Russian ENJOYS by relieving the in
ternal situation
Because the Russians like TO stroke
while at the table. the entire Russian
mission dined in their apartments, a
practice which they have decided to
continue hereafter.