The San Francisco call., 1905-08-24
mot One Kopeck
Of Indemnity" Is
Ultlmatum.
Gar Is Ready to Yield
TO Mikado on ALI
Other Points.
De Witte Styles the Presi.
dents Compromise Fropo-
Sition a SHAM"

Following the Russian rejection of
the Presidents compromise proposition
IN the peace conference yesterday. an
adjournment was taken until Saturday.
The present outlook is that the ENJOYS
viii then meet only to adjourn sine
die. Advfces from 81. Petersburg in
dicate an Unalterable determination
upon the part Of the Czar TO withdraw
his plenipOtentiarfes unless Japan un-
equiyOcaIly recedc from her demand for
Indemnity. Following the failure of
the negotiations yesterday, the Russian
ENJOYS authorized a statement expiain-
Ing their position Although presumably
correcting the erroneous ideas of a
portion OF the American press as to
the Russian attitude. it contained a
vefled reflection upOn the President
With HIS compromise proposition as its
theme. the statement declared that
Russian national honor could not be
purchased by subterfuge. and that
the efforts of Russia's American friends
were misdfrected in the belief that
honor WAS held so lightly in st. Peters
burg that II could be satisfied by 81
mere change I'm the phraseOIogy of the
Japanese demands.
PORTSMOUTH, n. H, Aug. 8-The
japanese plenipotentiaries at the conclu-
threw the cards upon the table 1t was
the dramatic moment-the moment to
which all the previous proceedings of the
conference had led. The protocols inyoly-
ing agreement upon eight of the twelve
conditions originally presented by Japan
had been signed. One side or the other
must make a move or the plenipotentia-
ries had reached the parting of the ways
The adversaries faced each other across
the table. OF course, IT was well under
stood what would occur, but that in
way only made IL more dramatic.
Ffguratively, President Roosevelt sud-
denly entered the conference room Mr..
De Witte sat silent, and the move in the
great diplomatic game passed to Japan.
Baron Komura in a few words ex-
planned that Japan IN her great desire for
peace was ready TO make certain 'modi-
fications'' of the original articles, in ,the
hope that Russia could see 1t possible to
accept them. He then presented in writ
ing to Mr.. de Witte the compromise
proposition which President Roosevelt
had suggested.
TEXT or THE COMPROMISE.
II was concrete and specific and it fol-
lowed the lines outlined in these dis
patches. 1t offered TO withdraw article
nine. providing for the payment by Rus
sia Of Japan's bHl for the cost of the war
on condition that Russia would accept
article FIVE. which provides for the ces-
sion Of the island Of Saghalien. so modi-
fed as TO include an arrangement for the
repurchase by Russia Of the northern
half Of the island for 12o0.oo0.0e0 yen. In
addition it offered TO withdraw entirely
articles eleven and twelve Surrender OF
the interned warsh:ps and limitation upon
Russias sea power in the Far East 1t
was President Rooseveit's compromise,
and Mr.. de Witte knew its contents as
well as Baron Komura- The question OF
whether he had been a'bluffing" was put
TO the test
without moments hesitation Mr. de
Wltte explained that the modification
proposed was merely a sham, change
OF phraseology. diplomatic attempt at
oorer la pilule," and asked Russia to
pay war tribute under another name.
he could not accept it. He told Baron
homura that Russia wanted peace. She
nae given the proofs in accepting every
article involving the Issues upon which
ene war was fought, but she could fight,