Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-26
RUSSIA MAINTAINS THAT SHE
WILL NOT PAY INDEMNITY
UNDER ANY GUlsE.
.GANEKo PEssIMIsTIC
After an Interview With President
Roosevelt, Japanese Baron Com
pares Prospect For Peace to the
Dark and Gloomy Weather-confer-
ence at st. Petersburg May Change
Situation.

ence at st. Petersburg May Change
Situation.
Toxic, Aug. 25.-FoIlowing the
receipt Of cabiegram from Baron
komura, Premier katsura and
Secretary General Chinda called
Marquis Ito into a lengthy confer
ence today.
1t Is believed that Important de-
veIopments are forthcoming. The
Associated Press has reason to be-
Ileve that nothing that has oc-
rurred at Portsmouth will change
The attitude of the Japanese gov
ernment.
Portsmouth, Aug 25.-Baron Ko-
mura and four members of the Japan
ese peace mission left Portsmouth for
4 Manchester today, to visit the exten-
siye cotton mills there.
kaneko Interviews Roosevelt.
Oyster Bay, N. Y, Aug. 25.-Baron
Kanel1o had an Interview with Presi-
dent Roosevelt today, the third within
ten days. II cannot talk now about my
mission to the President" he said,
though would be delighted to do so
If could. Some day I'll tell you
about It,"
He was asked if he had seen the
statement by Russian Minister of For
eign Affairs Lamsdorf, in which he
declared Russia would pay no indemni-
ties to Japan or make any cession of
territory.
Russia's Mistaken Position.
"Oh, yes" he replied, 81 have seen
1t. think it was great mistake, but
1t was official. understand. and so |
suppose we must swallow it."
"What do you think of the prospect
for successful issue to the peace con-
ference?"
Kaneko hesitated an instant and
then with shrug of the shoulders, he
replied:
"Oh, it's very much like the weather
down here"
The rain was falling heavily and the
weather was dark, gloomy and dis
agreeable.
Receives No Message.
Kaneko remained with the Presi-
dent three-quarters of an hour and left
for New York at noon. He said the
visit was not made on the invitation
of the President and that he simply
had come to Oyster Bay to talk over
the situation with MI. Roosevelt. He
added that he was not going to Ports
mouth and had no message for the
Japanese plenipotentiaries and ex
pressed the hope that peace may yet
come out of the negotiations.
Conference at St. Petersburg.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 25.-A special
council of the foreign officials with
Count Lamsdorff presiding, will be
held this aftern on, at which certain
matters bearing on the peace negotia
tions will be discussed.
Lamsdorff Misquoted?
Respecting the statement that
Lamsdorff yesterday in an interview
declared that R ssia would not pay
war indemnit..- under any guise to Jap
an, the foreign Office declares officially
and catego-ically, that Lamsdorff has
received no correspondent and has
given no interview. Nevertheless the
foreign office through it's recognized
press representative, maintains its at
titude and reiterates its official utter
ances that Russia will not pay such
indemnity
Anxiety in Paris.
Paris, Aug pa sentiment of deep
anxiety prevails in official quarters
here concerning the outcome of the
Portsmouth conference owing to the
receipt Of discouraging advices. Pri
vate reports received show that Grand
Duke Vladimar, uncle of the emperor
Is casting his powerful influence in
favor Of peace.
Roosevelt on Japan's Side.
Portsmouth N. H., Aug. 25.-Presf
dent Roosevelt has interviewed in the
peace negotiations between Russia
and Japan to degree which is con
sidered here as sensational He has
told the Russian government and its
plenipotentiaries that the compro
mise proposal submitted yesterday by
Baron Komura and Minister Takahira
Is reasonable and by inference, has
indicated that it ought to be accepted
This news has placed the Russian
government in an awkward situation
and has placed Japan in a position
which she did not hope to enjoy be
] fore the negotiations began.
The United States is no longer q
mediary, no longer passive specta
tor. If peace should not come the
American government will be regard
ed by Japan as having by this act OF
the President ranged itself alongside
the government of the mikado, and
Russia will acquiesce in this view.
Great Britain is the ally Of Japan