The San Francisco call., 1905-08-21
All Depends Upon
the Reply From
the Gar.
De Witte Expects 1t
to Be in the
Negative.
Russia Would Wei
come Break In
Negotiations.
Linevitch Is Eager
for a Chance to
Engage Oyama.

PORTSMOUTH. Aug. 2O.-The chances
for peace have undoubtedly been i'm
proved by President Roosevelts action in
stepping into the breach in a last heroic
endeavOr 10 induce the warning countries
TO compromise their ''Irreconcilable diff
ferences,'' but the situation is still one of
suspense.
The ultimate decision of the issue has,
de facto If not de jure, passed from the
plenipotentiaries TO their principals-from
Portsmouth to St. Petersburg, and, per-
haps, in q lesser extent, TO Toxic. Al
though there are collateral evidences that
pressure both by President Roosevelt and
neutral powers, including Japan's ally
Great Britain. is still being ex-
TO moderate her demands, there is
also reason to believe that President
Roosevelt was able at his interviews with
Beron .Aosen 70 practically communicate.
10 The iatters senior, Mr.. de Witte, 5Ja-
pans irreducible minimum-what sie
weuld yield, but the point beyond which
she would not go.
Whether an actual basis of compromise
was proposed by the President cannot be
be affirmed positively is tnat If Russia
refuses TO act upon the suggestion or
proposition Of President Roosevelt the
peace conference will end In failure.
RUSSIANS OFFER NO HOPE.
In the Russian camp little encourage
ment is given. Baron Rosen reached here,
after an all night ride from Oyster Bay,
shortly before noon and Immediately went
into conference with Mr.. de Wftte. They
remained closeted together Tor almost
three hours. during which the whole stu
alton was reviewed Baron Rosen COM
municated 10 his chief the Presidents
message and it was, transmitted 10 the
emperor, together with Mr.. de Whites
recommendation. No clew 10 the nature
Of this recommendation has been revealed,
but II can be said that Mr.. de Witte, no
matter how he personally may view the
proposition, is distinctly pessimistic as to
the character of the response which will
come from St Petersburg. To a conf
Dental friend this afternoon he offered
little hope of a change in the situation
The japanese, il is firmly believed,
cling to the substance of the form Of
their demand for remuneration for the
cost of the war" Perhaps they are
willing to decrease the sum asked. but
substantial compensation, under what
i. sver guise it is obtained, they decline
o relinouish. They also are firm
upon the cession of Sakhalien. BY the
transfer of the southern branch of the
Chinese Eastern Railway, first to Ja-
van for REIMBURSEMENT to China, pay
ment for the maintenance of the Rus
sian prisoners and the surrender Of
the Russian warships, it is possible to
figure out total transfer TO Japan In
money and property of about $780,
OOO,0OO But this is the limit
JAPANESE ADHERE TO SECRECY.
The Japanese, as usual, are very
reticent and it is impossible to obtain
from them the least indication of
their view OF the change in the situa-
ton produced by the Presidents ac-
tion. II is taken for granted that the
Presidents appeal was made to Japan
as well as to Russia, but the japanese
side of the negotiations looking to
compromise is almost completely in
the dark The japanese view of the
situation is authoritatively, but rather
kumorously. stated thus:
~The result viii be known soon. It
Us as useless to speculate as it would
be for the plenipotentiary to give his
opinion Of the sex OF the unborn in
fant. When the child is born, we will
be able TO tell whether it is boy or
a girl"
Emperor Nicholas decision. upon
which the fate Of the conference seems
eoV 10 hang fire, will depend upon con-
itsons at home and these they do not
~,elieve are propitious. The main fac
tors are the internal situation and the
reports from the front as to the mill
tary outlook. The former has been
ameliorated by last Saturdays mani
festo and the character of the reports
received by his Majesty from Man
churia are known to be good.
LINEVITCH YEARNS FOR BATTLE.
General Linevitch has expressed abb
sOlute confidence in victory and since the
conference was begun he and his generals
have not only assured his Majesty that
the army was never in better condition,
but they have sent messages to Mr.. de
Witte imploring him not to make peace.
They demand an opportunity to retrieve
the honor and prestige OF the army, and,
in q country where the army is the bull
work Of the Government, the wishes of
.its generals are not likely TO be disre-
,garded by their sovereign. not only to