The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-12
KOMURA MAY GIVE HIS
ANSWER TO WITTE TODAY
Continued From Page one.)

To fix the time of meeting in advance
OF an examination OF the reply was in
terpreted as evidence that the Japanese
mind was made up and that such conees-
sions as they were prepared TO make had
been agreed upon in advance and only re-
mained 10 be formulated.
Mr.. Witte. however, is believed 70 have
practically outlined the reply In present
ing it SO that when Baron Komura made
his announcement he knew the substance
OF the reply.
So pessimistic is the feeling among
those IN the confidence Of both sides that
the prediction was made 10 the Associated
Press correspondents that II a meeting
should be held this afternoon 1t might be
the last and that the history OF the
Washington Conference" would be
abruptly concluded today.
II the negotiations are broken off
Oyama will Immediately give battle TO
Linevitch
The Associated Press learns from an
unimpeachable source that Oyama's plans
are perfected. his armies are ready and
only await the signal that a rupture has
occurred 10 launch his attack
NO TALK ON INDEMNITY.
The Russian reply to the Japanese
terms delivered by Mr. Witte 10 Baron
Komura this morning was outlined in the
Associated Press dispatches last night.
Upon the two points-indemnity and ces-
sion OF Sakhalin-it declines 10 admit dis
cussion. Others IL accepts and still others
IL accepts condltionaly.
PiSBc Wl?. .(R, Dzeltpyabruo sist s.
The reply is rather long, taking up the
condition seritim and setting forth the
reasons and arguments for the decision
reached in each case. The argument
against the payment OF an indemnity or
the cesslon OF territory is based upon the
general theory that Russia is not re-
sponsibe for the war and that as Russia
ia still prepared TO continue the struggle
and has sought this meeting not as a van,
quished country begging for terms, but
she sincerely desired peace IL honorable
peace is possible. Therefore she could
neither agree TO foot Japan's bill for war
expenses nor cede territory.
RESPONSIBILITY NOT RUssIAs.
The Russian argument can be fairly
stated as follows:
Russia is not vanquished She has suf-
fered reverses but she is not obliged TO
accept peace at any cost She desires
peace now as she always has even before
Japan opened hostillties That Russia did
not court or want war was evident by
the fact that she was not prepared for Il
either in military, naval or administra-
tive sense.
Russia could possibly be properly ac-
cused Of only one thing-of having given
the occasion which Japan was seeking
and for whichs Japan had been preparing
for 10 years TO make upon her. The
responsibility OF the war, therefore. falls
upon Japan and not upon Russia
Although firm on the main points. Mr..
Whites reply Is exceedingly courteous in
form and tone, and leaves the way open
TO discussion and negotiation II the ia
panese are not recalcitrant.
ADJOURNED AT 1880.
The conference OF the Japanese pleni-
potentiaries and their assistants was ad-
journed for luncheon at 1880 o'clock. The
luncheon was served In the private dining
room at tho naval stores building Mr..
Sato. who had been dispatched 10 the
hotel. returned in an automobile just as
his partysat down 20 lunch.