Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-27
NO TRIBUTE DIRECT OR INDIRECT
Will Pay for Care Of Prisoners, but Will
Make No Further Concessions.
JAPANESE ASK FOR AN ADJOURNMENT
Conference Takes Recess Until Monday
Upon Motion of Baron Komura.
SECRETARIES EXCLUDED FROM MEETING
Indications that witte Has Forced
the Nipponese to Play Another
Card Before Delivering
Emperor's UItImRtum.

ST PETERSBURG, Aug. 27.-2:S a. M
The curtain has been rung down on the
St. Petersburg stage, but center OF in
terest in the peace negotiations has been
transferred TO Portsmouth. Emperor
Nicholas, after carefully Weighing the
consequences Of his act has said his last
word. Russia will make no fiscal contribu-
ton to Japan in any form whatever and
unless Japan accedes to President Roose-
velts efforts TO effect a compromise be-
tween Russia and Japan his efforts will
have proved unavailng.
Mr.. Meyer. the American ambassador.
yesterday informed President Roosevelt OF
Russia's ultimatum. II agrees to cede
half Of the island Of Sakhaln and TO pay
Japan for the maintenance Of prisoners OF
war but nothing more. Russia declares
that it has met Japan more than half way
and has proved to the world the sincerity
of her desire for peace but that It would
rather fight than pay indemnity. on
this point, Russia has not changed its
opinion one hairs breadth
Answer Communicated 70 Meyer.
Saturday morning Mr.. Meyer received
his latest communication from President
Roosevelt and as n result called on For-
eiEn Minister Lamsdorff later in the day.
What final proposal was contained in
President Roosevelts communication It
was impossible to learn accurately, but
there is reason to believe that It sug-
gested a compromise on the basis OF Rus
sia paying Japan for Sakhalln. Russia's
final answer was communicated to Am
bassador Meyer. who at once informed the
president No stone was left unturned,
and no effort was spared here to secure
settlement.
Every single obstacle save one standing
in the way Of the signing Of peace treaty
at Portsmouth was overcome. In the matter
Of a fiscal contribution, Russia's answer
was firm and persistent refusal, and there
is excellent authority for the statement that
If the Portsmouth negotiations fail 1t will
| be solely on the question OF money.
In his determination not to pay an in
| demnity Emperor Nicholas believes he has
all of Russia at his back, The payment
of an indemnity would infiict a fiscal bur
| den upon the entire Russian people, in
crease discomfort and consequently threaten
! the vital interests of the empire.
Jnps Ask Adjournment.
! PORTSMOUTH. N H, Aug. 26.--As indi-
| Gated in these dispatches last night there
! was no rupture in the peace negotiations
| today. Peace is by no means assured, but
/ an important crisis has been tided over and
! the fact that the life OF the conference has
| been prolonged into next week adds mate
] rally to the chances Of a favorable issue.
| According to the Russian version, IL was
Japan and not Russia which weakened this
afternoon. NJ. Witte publicly announced
! after the sitting that IL was Baron Komura
who asked for an adjournment until Mon
day in order to have time to submit new
proposition. Yet it is known that NJ. Witte
! has received instructions sent after the
/ presidents intercassion at Peterhof through
| Ambassador Meyer TO agree to the division
. Of Sakhalin and 10 permit liberal compensa-
ton for the Russian prisoners of war and
the cession of the Chinese Eastern railroad.
but to continue absolutely to refuse to pay
war tribute under any guise. This was
described as Russias "ultimatum." leav-
ing over the same old question of money
the stumbling block to an agreement.
Secretaries Are Excluded.
In the regular course OF procedure after
the presentation Of the Japanese compro-
mise proposition on Wednesday, the diplo-
matte move passed to Russia and it was NJ.
Whites turn naturally to present the
counter proposition of his government. II
he succeeded, as is intimated, in withhold
ing his card anu forcing the Japanese 10
play again he undoubtedly gained a pQint
in the game. But no adequate account Of
proceedings at today's meeting is forth
coming The plenipotentiaries, by agree
ment, excluded the secretaries. There were
no minutes. There is no record. This in
itself is extremely significant. When men
who are fighting a desperate battle lock
themselves in a room alone, it is the best
evidence that they are terribly in earnest.
1t is a hopeful sign All that is formally
announced is that the minutes Of the last
session were approved and upon Baron
Komura's motion the conference adjourned
until Monday at o'clock. but whether or
not the counter proposition OF Russia was
: submitted at this afternoons session, 1t
: seems to be up 10 Japan" TO formally re-
nouncc its demand for the "frals de guerre'
and try 10 obtain a partial recompense in
another way, for instance by bona fids
sale OF the northern half Of sakhalin.
Gar Refuses 10 Pay.
Emperor Nicholas's response TO Mr.. Meyer
and his instructions 10 NJ. Wtte are re-
J marked as his last word so far as indemnity
[ is concerned Compromise by which Japan
can secure a comparatively moderate sum
Of money is stin open. But the gulf 20 be
Z spanned is still wide between the two ad-
I versaries Russia now Is willing to divide
3 Sakhalin on Wednesday Japan claimed
/ the entire island by right Of occupation,
offering only 10 sell back the northern hali
at the price Of the "cost Of the war" And
I IL should be borne In mind that the elimi-
nation Of articles and Xi surrender OF
Russia's interned warships and Limitation
- OF Russas sea power was conditional
upon its acceptance Of this proposition
r Baron Komura and Mr. Takahira want
time 10 consult their government before
agreeing 10 yield further.
r The medium Of communication between
- Baron Kaneko. who is acting for Japar
IN the pourparler with the president anC
the japanese plenipotentiares, has beer
v discovered II Is Mr.. Uchida, the Japanes,
- consul general al New York. After BaroI
Kaneko's visit "a oyster Bay yesterday
n long account Of the interview was trans
!, mitted by telegraph IN cipher to Baron
Kumura by MI Tchida.
President Receives Refusal.
2 OYSTER BAY, y. Y Aug. 9i-Russi'
has refused finally TO acceds - Presiden