The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-28
PEACE OR WAR.
Decision Rests With the Japan
ese Council of State
Which Is in Session With the
MikadO Presiding.
LITTLE HOPE FELT.
The Public Is Prepared for Con-
tinuance of War.
Confident That Linevitch Will
Be Defeated.

Toxic. Aug. 2S.-2:3O p. m.-The
conference of the cabinet officers and
elder statesmen adjourned at o'clock
and the participants proceeded to d
place where the deliberations were
continued under the presidency of the
emperor. 1t is believed the decision
Will mean continuance of the war or
peace. No manifestations have re-
suited from the outwardIy critical sit
uation
The public here remains uninformed
regarding the latest developments at
Portsmouth but seems convinced that
peace is hopeless. The market reflect
ed this sentiment.
A failure of the peace negotiations
would be generally regretted, but the
press and other widespread express
sions would be generally for a con-
tinuation of the war rather than the
acceptance of unsatisfactory terms
Underlying this popular attitude is
deep rooted confidence that Oyama
will defeat General Linevitch and take
Harbin and that the Japanese will
completely overrun the coast pro-
Vinces, possibly greatly lowering the
cost of the operation after the main
Russian army has been defeated, and
continue the war for an extended
period.
Portsmouth, Aug. 2S.-Mr. Witte to-
day frankly expressed skepticiSm of
the effect of any new proposal Japan
may be able to offer. He does not be-
HeVe Japan will withdraw entirely her
demand for REIN bursement of the eX-
penses of the war and to scale it down
or attempt to disguise it in another
form he declares would not change the
situation.
Mr.. Takahira is quoted as having re-
piled in the negative when asked
whether any modification of the Jap
anese proposal would touch the ques-
ton of indemnity. But such re-
sponse may only have been technical.
A clear road out of the embroglio by
Which Japan could obtain d very large
sum and Russia stand by her present
Will offer in q new proposal to with
draw the price she p4aees-aFof4st re-
demptiOn of the northern half of the
island of Sakhalin and place it upon a
basis, for instance. such as the presi-
dent suggested, of determination by a
mixed committee.
Acceptance by Russia would in turn
involve change upon the part of the
st. petersburg government. But indem-
nifty as stumbling block would be out
OF the way and renewed pressure could
properly be put or Emperor Nicholas.
Mr. Witte personally, it is believed,
sympathizes with such a solution and
would not be aVerSe to a genuine rein-
bursement as he recognizes the defacto
possession of the island by japan and
her claim to REIN mbursement for its re-
linquishment. If the meeting of the
Toxic cabinet and elder statesmen under
the presidency of the emperor sanctions
some such new proposal as there is rea-
son to believe it will, the proposition
would seem to be so fair that Emperor
Nicholas could not refuse without as
ity of continuing the war
In tWinkling, therefore, if Japan
now absolutely withdraws her bill for
the cost of the war the basis of an ac-
cord may be reached. One of the chief
remaining dangers would undoubtedly
be a false gauging at st. Petersburg of
Japans attitude. The conciliatory spirit
japan displayed in her compromise pro-
posal of Wednesday, if now emphasized
by still further recession is ant to he
interpreted at st. Petersburg as a symp-
tom of great weakness and might onIv
serve to make the emperor and his ad-
visers at Peterhof more obdurate. But
with such proposition before him Mr..
Wltte could once more assert himself
and throw his own masterful person.
atty into the scale.
Roosevelt a Peace Doctor.
Portsmouth, Aug. 2s.-The peace. con-
ference is likened to dying man kept
awe by oxygen administered by Presi-
dent Roosevelt Yet no actual evidence
can be obtained here that the president
mas made a new appeal to the emperor
OF Japan. What may have been only a
slip of the tongue from Mr. Witte was
so interpreted. Speaking of the final
decision of the Toxic government he re-
marked upon the fourteen hour differ
ence between Oyster Bay and Toxic
put then hastily corrected himself. and
said: New York and Toxic" Certainly
the president has not initiated new rem
resentations at Peterhof. Emperor Mich
olas' reply to Ambassador Never was of
such nature as to preclude another
tentative proposition in that direction
at TINS stage. Later the way might he
open but for the moment to offer new
adVlce in the face of what practically
amounted to an ultimatum from the
emperor on the subject of indemnity
might be to court a rebuff. New repre-
sentatlons at Toxic alone would Der-
maps not be in accordance with the
presidents role. At least it would CON
stitute a change in his attitude Hereto
lore he has not acted as mediator but
as the head of a state friendly to both
powers, rendering his good offices and
friendly advice impartially and stimuli
taneously to both. The president took
good care that this should be distinctly
understood The compromise he sllg-
gested to Peterhof. he suggested sirnuI-
taneously to Toxic. 1t would seem more
probable therefore that the nresideni
mas not attempted to influence directly
the questions of Japan's response to the
fat refusal of Russia to pay ANYTHING
IN the shape of indemnity. All ewes
turn to Toxic where the moment0,ls
question is being, and indeed perhans
already has been, decided. The action 81
the meeting of the cabinet and elder
statesmen was awaited with feverist
anxiety.
Paris Still Anxious.
Paris, Aug. 2S.-The diplomats anf
officials today in discussing the pros.
poets at Portsmouth. displayed evi.
dent anxiety. Nevertheless there wa,
an impression that an agreeable sur.
prise awaits the world when tn,
critical moment arrives for tht