The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-28
question IL whether there wout. be any new
HOPE REVIVED.

\ WHO MT, Wttte nus Deeh Pesoniie'io oh
along, evidently firmly conyinesd that tho
Portsmouth exchanges would be futile.
Some members Of tho mission which he
heads have expressed the view that rather
chan see the negotiations the Japanese
N ,uid' make contesdons of character
sufficiently moderate to pave the way
10 the arrangement Of peace treaty.
Yesterday, however, even the hopeful
persons admitted that they we're. mistaken
and early to-day they frankly declared
that an agreement was an impnssibilIty'
But the action of the Japanese enyoys In
securing postponement has brought them
back to the optmistio ground which they
previously occupied.
, Still they are emphtic in saying that
there, can be no peace unless the Japanese
waive the claim to remuneration for the
expenses which they have incurred in
prosecuting the war. Mr.. Witte' has de-
clared oyer and over again and is still de-
olaring that Russia will never agree to pay
. penny OF tribute to japan, and he is APP
parently Of the belief that the Toxic Govern
'ment will not consent to-make treaty
unless It receives a good round sum.
There arc some people here who are
accusing Mr.. Witte Of not being overandous
70 make peace under any circumstances.
but bis we'll known stand against the course
Of his Government In engaging in the Far
Eastern enterprise which brought about
the war, and his public statements that he
was anxious to see the Portsmouth con-
ference result success sfully, are regarded as
showing that he was not playing game
of pretense for the purpose of ascertaining
TIE terms which Japan had to offer.
As matters stand no W, the Russians, while
naturally impressed by the significance OF
tho request Of the Japanese ENJOYS for
postponement. look upon this arrange
ment as simply deferring the end for very
brief period. The Japanese are not telling
what they may have to say when the con-
ference again assemblies. 80 that II they
have anything important to offer on Tues
day afternoon 1t will robably remain
secret until then.
RoosEvELT's EFFORTS
President Roosevelt's tenaclty OF purpose
IN connection with the nego tiations is not,
however, without its effect upon the ENJOYS
of both heli-ccents.
They sec in the influence which the Presi-
dent yields as the executive head OF great
power, the chance of reaching an UNDER
standing that will bring the war to a close.
From all that has developed at Portsmouth,
there is little. If any. reason to doubt that
both warning nations are anxious for peace.
Certainly the Japanese desire that the
Portsmouth negotiations shall not fail.
Within the past few days Baron Komura
and Mr. Takahira have shown a conciliatory
spirit that is encouraging to those who are
praying for successful conclusion Of the
current exchanges. They have doubtless
been influenced in this attitude by President
Roosevelts efforts, and 1t is believed In
some quarters that they will go to great
lengths to conform to the Presidents wishes.
The request of the President, transmitted
through Baron Kaneko. that the next meet
Ing of the ENJOYS bspoStpOhed for another.
day, marks a renewal rather than a con-
unuance of his work for peace. His latest
gtep came ut the-biackest hour IN the whole
series Of exchanges, and It has turned what
seemed the certainty Of failure into reason,
slight though it may be, for more hopeful
feeling. The Presidents definite proposals
to the ENJOYS have not been fully disclosed.
but they are regarded by those who know
what they are as so reasonable that Russia
and Japan would be stingmgly rebuked
by the public opinion of the civilized world
u they were rejected.
RUssIA's OFFER.
The conversation yesterday between
Mr.. WHITE and Baron Komura, at which
tho only others present were interpreters,
was not made a matter of record and moth
ing in regard to it will appear in the Of
t1cial proceedings Of the conference. 1t
was at this interview that Mr.: Mitte is
supposed to have proposed to settle the
indemnity and territorial. 6ession ;ques-
lions by the transfer of part of Sakhalin
Island to the JapaHese' and the payment
by Russia Of q liberal amount for the e1-
pense to which Japan was put in caring
for prisoners Of war. That such pro-
posd was not acceptable to the Japanese ID
Indicated by the declarations Of Russians
that tho negotiations were a. failure and
would be brought to formal conclusion
1t the next meeting.
Mr.. Tskahira, the junior Japanese envoy.
was asked tonight if Russia had offered
to pay fifty million dollars to the Japanese
In compensation for the keep Of Russian
prisoners. He said he hadn't heard of it.
Mr.. Takahira took occasion to make some
comments on the position of his Govern
tnent.
Whatever change OF sentiment there
HAY be with regard to the war; he said. lis
merely from day to day and is based on
iumor. We believe we are right and
DO not choose to say anything until the