Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-28

PORTSMOUTH,, N. H., Aug. 27.-The lifo
of the peace conference today seems to
hang by a thread, but the thread will not
be broken tomorrow. At 10 oclock tonight,
after a conference between Mr.. Takahira
and M. Witte in the latters room in the
hotel annex, the announcement OF a post
ponement was made, NJ. Witte explained
to the Associated Press that Mr.. Takahira
had told him thal no new instructions had
reached him from Toxic and fearing none
might be received before the meeting
scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, he had
suggested the propriety of postponing the
said he had readily assented Mr.. TAX
ahira made the following statement to the
Associated Press;
"InasmuCh as this conference was iniu-
ated by the friendly offices of your presi-
dent, after consultation we felt that we
should be cautious about terminating its
labors"
Pressed as to whether he regarded the sit
uation as hopeless, Mr.. Tskahira said mo,
not hopeless but almost hopeless"
This in itself from one who has always
spoken in the most guarded manner is suf-
ficient to show tho desperateness of the sit
uation. The real crisis in the negotiations
is at hand. 1t is very acute, but will not
De over lOI StNtidl udNS anu WlIHOuL u
rupture a basis of peace acceptable to both
sides may come very suddenly. But to save
the situation now Japan must speak. II
on Tuesday it has nothing to offer. all is
over
Up to japanese Emperor.
NJ Witte, even II he would, is powerless
| to take a new step. He now occupies the
! role of an imperial messenger who trans
mts his masters orders to Baron Komura
and Baron Komura turns them over to
| Toxic for the response. The conference
room has ceased TO be a place for negotia-
| tions It is simply the place where the en-
perors of the warning countries exchange
| their communications by the hands of their
envoys. and upon the point of indemnity
or reimbursement OF the cost OF the war,
under any disguise, Emperor Niholas has
given the japanese emperor his last word.
| NJ. Witte accepts II final and in writing
yesterday informed the japanese plenipoten-
| tiaries that Russia would have nothing
! further on this subject. Russia would cede
! half Of Sakhalia and pay the cost of the
| maintenance of the Russian prisoners, but
that was all. Emperor Nicholas had given
| the same response to the president through
Ambassador Meyer
The Russians generally seem not dis
pleased with the situation. They believe
Japan has been automatically maneuvered
into a corner from which II she now per-
sists in her attempt to exact tribute with
the alternative of a continuance of the
war she cannot extricate herself before
the public opinion OF the world.
Puts Japan in a Hole.
Japan here and in Europe, they say, ap-
pealed for sympathy on the ground that
Russia had compelled her TO take ur
war had gone In her favor and Russia
recognizing that she had been beaten and
! preferring not TO continue the war, was
prepared to secede upon every point In
volved in the quarrel. She was willing to
allow Japan full swing in Corea, she was
| willing to get out of Manchuria bag and
baggage and commit herself 10 the recogni.
tion of Chinese integrity and the policy OF
| "the open door" But Japen insisted on
| tribute, and because Russia refused, pro-
longs the carnage. In that act they con.
tend Japan would change the purpose and
character OF the war which would cease
longer to be one Of principle, but degen,
crate into a war for the exaction Of money
There is no doubt that the Japanese are
worried over this aspect Of the situation
and they do not propose to be placed ir
this position II It can be helped. with the
sentiment existing in Japan demanding re-
endorsement for the expenses OF the war
a money payment beyond what would bt
obtained for the maintenance Of Russian
prisoners and the Chinese Eastern railroad
could not be foregone. But if redemption
by Russia could be placed upon purely a
commercial basis, Russia might agree e
It. Logic points in this direction for tn,
Ultimate compromise If there Is TO be one
Presidents Move In Doubt.
Whether the president has renewed hii
efforts cannot be ascertained here Hi
former suggestion for a compromise failed
lie made his appeal simultaneously C
both the czar and the emperor OF Japan
He proposed the Indemnity sakhalin'
combination, but not in the form in which
II was presented by Baron Komura Al
Wednesdays meeting Instead OF setting
the price u,2OO,OOOOO0 yen. the estimated
cost OF the war; he suggested that II al
agreement could not be reached the hNinl
Of the price should be left TO a board o
commission, but the japanese insisted upoI
inserting the sum and thus made II i'm
possible, In view OF the Russian deelara