Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-26
Anxious Hours Awaiting
Word from The EInperors.
Today Apt to Be a Memorable
One in the Worlds History.

Portsmouth, N. II, Aug. 25.-The
peace conference seems headed straight
for the rocks. Despite the fact that
every question of principle involved In
the quarrel between The two countries
has been settled in favor Of the victor
and that in reality only words and
money" still seperata them the neco-
tiations seem on thu verge of n final
rupture. The air is filled, tonight, with
gloomy forebodings. rs superficiallv
everything indicates that tomorrow's
session Of the conference will prove thu
''seance dadieu."
1t is declared in the most positive
fashion that no new instructions had
reached Nj. White uD to this evening
winch would permit him TO entertain
the consideration of the promised pro-
position submitted by Barren Komura.
wednesday, and therefore unless Japan
has new proposal TO make, tomorrow,
all that seems to remain is for the pleni-
potentiaries to meet, sign a declara-
ton that the conference has completed
its labors, shake hands and part as en-
cmies, not as friends.
But there are still known factors in
the situation which in q twinkIing
might change the situation. The re-
suit of President Roosevelts second
appeal directly to Emperor Nicholas
has not transcired and the result of
the pressure upon Japan to alter the
form Of her proposal by the elimina-
ton of the purchase price of the north
ern half of Sakhalin is not known.
But the indications on both scores
are Lot reassuring. The press dis
patches from Toxic and St. Peters,
burg, read with the most intense inter-
est here, indicate an irreconcilable at
titude on the part of both governments.
Yet both are anxious for peace and
only words ard money" bar the path
Probably it is not q matter of more
than S200,0O0000. Yet the Japanese cling
dogSedly to their demands. Their peo-
pie at home insist upon it. The most
competent japanese authority, who did
not conceal his pessimsm when asked,
tonight whether for the sake of peace
Japan would yield further. replied:
Read the dispatches from Toxic and
uTiW your OWN CONCLUSIONS.
Nevertheless. there is warrant for
the statement that they are not as i'm
riacable as they appear and from
conversation had with The Associated
Press. tonight, the distinct impression
was gathered that they would scale
their money demand and use any "for-
mul:" which would be acceptable to
Russia. II is not believed they propose
to let the conference end. tomorrow.
On the Russian side all pretence of
claiming that NJ. White is any longer
negotiating has been abandoned. He
has gone to the furtherest limit of his
imperial masters orders. More he cam
not do sincerely as he personally may
desire to bring the negotiations to n
successful conclusion. His position is n
difficult and peculiar one. He is a
statesman of large ambition. Liberal
ut keart. he is yet servant of his
sovereign.
At the present juncture. his role is
described as like that of Mirabeau. He
stands between the king and his peo-
pie. He obeys his sovereign, but he
wants his people to know where the
responsibility for the fate of the ne
gotiations must rest. At the same time.