Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1905-08-31
PEACE CONFERENCE
Japan Has Withdrawn the Demand for Indemnity and VIII Sub
NIT the Amount Russia Shall Pay for the Northern
Half Of Sakhan to Commission
Probably Be Accepted.

wednesday, OF the peace conference
threw the card upon the table. II was
the dramatic moment-the moment to
which all the previous proceedings
of the conference had led. The pro-
tocols involving agreement upon eigh,
OF the twelve conditions originally
presented by Japan had been signed.
One side or the other must make n
move for the plenipotentiaries had
reached the parting of the ways. The
adversaries faced each other across the
table. or course II was well UNDER
stood what would happen. but that, in
way, only made 1t more dramatic.
Figuratively. President Roosevelt sud-
denly entered the conference room.
Mr.. White sat silent and the move in
the great diplomatic game passed to
Japan. Baron Komura in a few words
explained that Japan, in her great de-
sire for peace, was ready to make GER
tain notifications" of the original
articles In the hope that Russia could
find 1t possible to accept them. He
then presented in writing to Mr.. White
the compromise proposition which
President Roosevelt had suggested.
1t was concrete and specific and 1t fol-
lowed the lines outlined in these dis
patches. 1t offered to withdraw arti-
'cle ., providing for the payment by
Russia Of Japan's bill for the cost Of
the war, on condition that Russia
would accept article 5. which provides
for the 'cession Of the island of SAX
hahn, SO modified as to include an ar
'rangement for the repurchase by Rus
'sia Of the northern half of the island
for i.200,00o,000 yen. In addition it
offered to withdraw entirely articles
II and II surrender of the informed
warships and limitation upon Russia's
sea power in the Far East.
1t was President Roosevelt's COM
promise and Mr.. Witte knew its con-
tents as we'll as Baron Komura. The
question of whether he had been
"blufling" was put to the test.
Without a moments hesitation Mr..
Witte explained that the modification
proposed was merely sham, change
of phraseology, diplomatic attempt
to "dorer la pilule" and ask Russia
to pay war tribute under another
name. He would not accept 1t. He
told Baron Komura Russia wanted
peace. She had given the proofs iE
accepting every article involving the
issues upon which the war was fought, |
but she could fight and money for |
tribute she would not pay, not a ko-
peck. He asked Baron Komura to |
withdraw all demands for tribute. And |
so the plenipotentiaries separated, to
meet again on Saturday, ostensibly to |
permit Mr.. Witte to place in writing |
as the rules of the conference require |
his reply to the Japanese compromise |
proposition. In reality, the adjourn
ment over the two days was to give
each side an opportunity to consult |
its government for the last time.
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 25.-The
prospect of peace seems desperate, burt
they are not hopeless despite the pre-
vailing pessimism. There is still a
chance and the forces working for
peace are continuing their labors. The
president failed twice but he is fight
ing on. The result of Ambassador
Meyers audience at Peterhof Wednes-
day was unsatisfactory but at least it !
was not rebuff. 1t left the door open |
and within few hours after the re-
CENTS, at Oyster Bay Of Mr.. Meyers
account of his audience the president |
had sent q new appeal through Mr.. |
White who received 1t from Mr.. Peirce
about three o'clock Thursday morning. |
The emperor had already in effect de-
clined the proposed compromise Of
fered by Japan. He had refused 1t be-
cause under a disguise Japan offered
- r|Ifkiraw an article asking remuner-
4|i6n Tor the cost of the war on con-
fItInn3that Russia repurchase from the
'''<e w possessions of Japan In the I,
FERN part of Sakhalin at a fixed !
iee OF 1,200,000,0OO yen-the esti-
mated "frais de guerre." Every mes
sage received from Peterhof, including
those that came early Thursday was in
nexible upon that point. Had Japau
NOT inserted the sum, had that been
lett Tor future adjustment. the pron-
osition would undoubtedly have proved
more palatable. And the Associated
press is In position to state that the
In the compromise as sus-
sested by the president and as offered
Oy japan at the conference which !
vas mentioned In these dispatches !
wednesday night, touched this very I
'oint The president did not suggest d
my price or the fixing of a price and a
Is believed although this can not be b
mrmed. that hts latest effort was to G
ecure the consent Of the emperor n
D LDE0A tn j =