The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-10
oPINlQi IS
 E E!SSIMISTIC May $ ;. Decided Hitch in
 Negotiations. THE PEACE CONFERENCE Japan'S Terms Will Be Re-
 vealed Today. Conditions Not Expected to Prove So Moderate as Had Been Previously Anticipated and Russia
 May Balk.


 May Balk.
 Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 9.-With the probability that Baron Komura will to- morrow reveal to the Russian plenipo- tentaries the terms upon which Japan is willing to conclude peace, opinion as to the outcome among those who are congregated here to watch the pro- ceedings has become decidedly pessi- mistic, This is due to the growing conviction that Japan's conditions will not prove as moderate as were at one time anticipated and, especially in the matter of indemnity, may preclude the possibility of their acceptance by the Russian envoys as basis of nego- tiation.
 The firm attitude of M. Witte In pri- vate conversation against the payment of an indemnity and the fnsistent re- ports emanating from Japanese quar- ters that stiff war contribution ap- proximating the cost of the war, vari- ously stated at from $600, 100000. to | $500. .000. 900, constitutes one of Japan | demands indicates a wide if not ire concilible variation between Japan's minimum and what Russia Is prepared to accept.
 Upon the payment of a large indem- nifty the instructions of the Russian en- voys are believed to admit of no con- sessions. although it is possible cer- tain compensation in kind might be arranged. For instance 1t Is suggested that for the relinquishment of the is- land of sakhalin, now potentially in Japan's hands, the possession of which by Japan would give her command of the whole Siberian littoral. Russia could with propriety pay @ large sum.
 Gloomy foreboding. however. may be premature at this juncture, as every thing Indicates the plenipotentaries upon both sides are sincerely desirous of concluding a treaty of peace.
 The first meeting of the plenipoten- taries today was of an entirely informal character. so informal In fact that Baron Komura did not bring his letter of credence to the Portsmouth navy yard, whereas M. Witte was armed with the original document in Russian, set ting forth the powers conferred upon him and also with translation of the document. The latter he read.
 =, Examining Credentials. Later in the afternoon. however, copies of the credentials were infor- mally exchanged in order that they might be examined before the meeting tomorrow. It Is known that the cre- dentials differ slightly. In exactly what respect. could not be ascertained to- night. but the Associated Press corre- spondent Is assured both by the Japan csc and Russian emissaries that the diff ference Is not essential and constitutes no obstacle to the official opening of the negotiations. Indeed. the President was officially informed tonight that the credentials were full. ample and satis- factory to both sides. -%.
 It was decided today to hold two l tF1 he t1er In ginning at 9:30. and one in the after noon. beginning at 3. To avoid delay and give the plenipotentiaries and dele gates time for consultation between sessions. 1t has been arranged that luncheon will be served at the navy yard and the envoys. after leaving their quarters in the morning, will not return until the afternoon session adjourns. Three secretaries for each side will be in attendance to draw up the protocols of the meeting, which will be written in both English and French. The French text however. in case of dispute. will be accepted in evidence (faire fob.
 The official versions of today's meet ing given out by each side described 1t as Satisfactory" and other accounts fn dicate that while everything passed off amicabiy, considerable reserve was dis played upon both sides. Baron Komura, whom Mir. Witte had met in St. Peters burg during the formers services as Japanese Minister there. was pleasantly greeted by the chief Russian envoy in French, but the Baron was obliged to shake his head and turn to his secre- tary, MT. Honda, who explained that Baron Komura had forgotten the little French he knew while in St. Peters, burg.
 Russians in Dark.
 While the Russian plenipotentiarics expect the Japanese to present the Jap anese terms immediately upon the off, cial exchange of credentials tomorrow, they admit they are In the dark. Bar on Komura and his colleagues decline to give any intimation of their course of procedure. Pursuing the tactics which they have constantly followed In all their diplomatic and military op- all their plans regarding the present meeting. .#
 There was some disposition today to attribute Baron Komura's forgetful- ness in not bringing his credentials to the meeting to desire to spar for time and for that reason some doubt was expressed whether the Japanese would show their hand tomorrow, but the Russian envoys did not question Baron Komura's good faith and frankly say 1t was due to the misunderstanding
 This evening the amenities were ob- served by a general exchange of cards. M Witte Baron Rosen and his suite sending theirs through the hotel office, while the cards of the Japanese mis- sion were left at the doors of the mem bers of the Russian mission by a little Japanese messenger boy.
 The Japanese and the Russian news paper correspondents have broken the ice and have begun to fraternize. It is perhaps significant that the corres- pondents on both sides are sending to their respective homes dispatches of asything but an optimistic character In the opinion of the Russions. the Emperor's manifesto promulgating the national assembly project will mate rfally strengthen the position of the Russian envoys by relieving the inter- nal situation. The envoys, through M. Nabokoff. who assisted at todays ses- sion. have issued this official state ment;
 Statement of EnvOya.
 "The first meeting took place this morning. M. Witte. Baron de Rosen. Baron Komura, MT. Takahira and a secretary on each side participated The program of the following meet inrs has been fixed. so Tar as the form is concerned. The meetings will be twice a day. in the morning and in the afternoon. After these aEtsrnoon