The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-13
Actual Discl3s gt lR pantst sa.s iFs
 Begun :. 1,....%.s.~.,"
JAPANESE ARE STIcv =
 FOR THE UTMOSJ S5sssJ
Both Sides Seem to Be Uncompromls ing on the M-in Points at Issue. Russians Willing to Di-
 vulee Answer

Portsmouth. N. IL, August 12.-There is rift in the clouds. The prospects of successful issue of the Washington con- ference have frightened somewhat as a result of today's developments
 The discussion of the terms submitted by the Japanese has actually begun. but this has been accomplished by pos.- poning the consideration of the two main issues-indemnity and the cesslon of sak- halin. So far as ascertainable. the Jap anese were responsible for the tactics by upon. As the mantle of secrecy has been thrown around the proceedings by mu- tual pledges not to divulge what hap pened within the council chamber. there are missing links in the chain of evi- dence. and 1t is impossible to judye whether this signifies baclsdown on either side on the main points.
 Both Sides Uncompromslnq.
 On the face of things. both sides arc still uncompromising as ever upon two issues, the struggle over then, beng merely postponed. some sort of private understanding arrived at by Baron Io- mura and M. wtta during the recess at the navy yard today Is hnted. but there is not the slightest information obtain able
 No evidence of change in the uncom- promising attitude on the part of Baron Komura or M Witte on the main ponts is observable. Nevertheless the Japanese who are attached to the Nippon mission plainly manifest elation and some of them privately assert that M. witte would never have consented to the discus sion of the terms had he not been pre- pared to yield on the question of Sak- halin All this appears yet to be largely surmise or deduction. but certainly the curtain of mystery which has now been rung down. must conceal important man. euvering from the public gaze.
 Discuss But One Condition.
 The Russian reply with it's non-possimus as to indemnity and Sakhalln, was pre- sented in the morning. Yet, in spite of this fact at 3 o'clock the plenipoten- tiaries met and after agreeing to dis crss the conditions seriatim. entered upon the condition of the first of the Japanese terms. The proposition to discuss oon- ditions in this way Is believed to have emanated from the Japanese side. The first condition was of secondary impor- tanee-one of those which Russia had passed upon as conditionally acceptable as basis of dscussion--yet little prog ress was made. Four hours were srent in debating it. but no conclusion was reached As there are twelve conditions end this one is of minor importance, the outlook is still gloomy. the plenipotcn- tiaries at o'clock adjourning until to- morrow at o'clock. The Japanese want- ed to hold a session in the morning, but M. Witte would not agree as this was Sunday.
 Session Described as Friendly.
 Both of today's sessions are described as friendly but no details are d- vulged. NJ. Witte. however makes no  concealment of the fact that the rigid sc- crecy which the Japanese insisted upon imposing upon the proceedings. is dls- tasteful to him. Witn much earnest ness he spoke tonight to the Associated Press upon the subject. At the time be was laboring under considerable excite ment because of the published asser. ion which has been called to his attention that he had pleaded for an armistiee. For the dignity of Russia and the pride of his country he asked that an absolute denial should be given to the report
 Referring to the question of secrecy of the proceedings, ne said he did not understand the Japanese desire to keep secret what was taking place nor could he appreciate the logic of the arguments adduced in support of their position.