Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-28
The Peace Negotiations.


probability be the last, the opinion is
gaining ground that the present hitch be-
tween the two beIligerent nations is
merely diplomatic struggle for points.
While the official utterances as to the
outcome are pessimstic, every indication
seems the warrant the assertion that each
side has as its ultimate aim the re-estab-
lishment of peace if it can be accomplish
ed without discredit to itself. One sus-
picious circumstance is the entire free
dom with which the ENJOYS declare that
there is no hope of an adjustment Of the
differences unless concessions are secured
from the other side The continual post
ponements of the meetings when the
only differences are declared to be irrec-
oncilabe is another straw pointing to
desire to reach an agreement There can
be no doubt that the ENJOYS of japan and
Russia are fully acquainted with the
extent of the concessions which they
would be permitted to make in the fram-
ing of treaty.
The postponement until tomorrow Of
the meeting set for today is another in
dication of the efforts of the plenipOten
tiaries to find a common ground upon
which they can stand.
Unquestionably Japan is furnishing
every reason for the belief that she in
tends to exhaust every effort before per-
hitting the peace negotiations to be
brought 20 a conclusion.
At tomorrow's meeting it is believed
that Japan will present some suggestion
that will carry the conference over few
days longer. Whether this will take the
form OF additional. concessions is not
known, but the presumption is that it
will The Russian ENJOYS may reject
it off hand or refer it to the Car. In
any event it will further demonstrate
that Russia and not Japan is the deter
mined obstacle in the pathway of peace.
Why NJ. Witte did not present at Sat
urday's meeting Russia's counter-prOpo-
sition, which be had in is pocket at the
time, cannot be understood, unless it be
that the Car had exposed valuable
card. It will be remembered that the
japanese concession provided for the
withdrawal of the war indemnity clause
and all others to which Russia had OBJ
iected if the Gar would buy half of SAX
halin Island for $500, 000,0 900.
1t was up to Russia to reject this offer
if it did not meet her approval. This
was done by NJ. White at Wednesdays
meeting, at which time the concession
was made, but upon the request of the
ENJOYS the offer was transmitted to st.
Petersburg. Friday evening an answer
was received from Russia. 1t was I'M
officially announced that it met the Jap
anese proposals in the proper spirit.
The Publishers Press learned upon
the highest authority that this answer
went further than a rejection of the Jap
anese demands in that it contained a
proposal to pay literally for the main
tenance of the Russian prisoners and
contained some suggestion relatlyeto the
disposition of the island of Saghalin.
NJ. Witte took this document with him
to the Saturday conference, but to the
establishment of the japanese ENJOYS he
did not present it or any other document.
When asked by Baron Komura if the
Russian government had any further
communication to make, he replied that
it hal not aud that, so far as he and his
associate were concerned, steps might be
taken for the final adjournment of the
conference.
What the Russian ENJOYS propose to
do with this answer, now in their pos
session, is the merest conjecture.
The tenor of the utterances from both
Russian and Japanese headquarters is to
the effect that negotiations have practi-
cally been concluded. and that tomor
rows session will be the last. There
has been talk of japanese concessions
Minister Takahira, the Junior envoy of
Japan, says this is an erroneous I'M
preston.
Mr.. Korostovitcz, speaking for the
Russian ENJOYS, still holds to the belief |
that the next session will be the last.
"Wil Russia make any concessions
or give further consideration to the pro-
posals recently made by Japan ~ the
envoy was asked.
ut will not. The Gar will never
permit the payment of an indemnify"
The ENJOYS decline to express any
opinion as to the attitude of President
Roosevelt in connection with the peace
negotiations.
Hints, however, come from the Rus
sian quarter that the ENJOYS Of the Car
are greatly displeased, and that the Gar
himself characterized President ROose-
Welt ; recent suggestion as an interference.
1t is understood that Russia received
in the proper spirit the Presidents
first advances and that it joined with
japan for time in the selection of the
President as mediator But when the
Car announced his government could
not accept n principle that he consider
ed reflected upon the honor and dignity
Of Russia, he felt that insistence by
President Roosevelt became objection
able. There is no cOncealing the fact
hat the Russians here view the President
in the light of an ally or at least a parti-
ian of Japan. They intimate that if the
Presidents attitude is correctly repre-
'ented in that dispatch, they consider
that he has exceeded his prerogatiyes as
4 host, aud could they be assured of it
Fraud Exposed.
A few counterfeiters have lately been max
ng and trying to sell limitations Of DR.,