Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-24

variations for departure. The summer
guests of the hotel were as agitated
as the foreigners and the crowds OH
the veranda to witness the departure
We're larger than any since the CONFER
ence began its sittings The Russians
got away first, NJ. White, Baron Rosen
and Mr.. Naboukoff, NJ. Whites secre-
tary, entering their motor car at ex-
actly 9 O'Clock. They appeared ex-
cessively gay. greeting the crowd as
sembled to see them off with broad
smiles and CHEEKY Good morning" ana
the physiognomy readers instantly
translated what they had seen as a
certain augury that peace would vfr-
ltually be arranged
But to the more careful observers the
smiles of the Russians appeared forced
and beneath the gay exterior there was
an expression of anxiety. Baron KO-
mura, Mr.. Takahira, Mr.. Sato and Mr..
Adachi appeared on the main veranda,
their faces composed and inscrutab BILE
as ever. They, too, smiled in response
/ to the greetings of their partisans but
there was no excessive manifestation
of exurberance. They appeared to
have girdeo their loins for serious bust
ness.
The popular belief was that, Wednes-
day, would decide the issue. But The
Associated Press had what 1t consider
ed certain warrant for the statement
that such would not be the case. Were
1t to go to a complete show down Of
hands a rupture was certain as the
long cablegram of instructions which
IL. Witte received from his government,
| 1nH MO
to accept the compromise which. 1t
was understood. Japan was prepared
to offer, Wednesday morning, as a re-
suit of the Presidents heroic endeav-
ors to save the conference.
The rumor telegraphed to The Asso-
ciated Press after midnight was con-
firmed. Wednesday morning, but it re-
lquires an important explanatory state
ment. The cablegram from st. Peters
burg was sent before NJ. Witte had
communicated to the Emperor the con-
tents of the communication from Pres
Roosevelt delivered to him. Tuesday
afternoon. at the navy yard. So that
was not necessarily to be accepted as
the Emperor's last word and NJ. Witte,
who. there is reason to believe, Is per-
sonally in sympathy with the COM
promise suggested, went to the con-
ference prepared to spar for time. -
1t was believed that at the conclusion
of the sitting. Wednesday, an ad-
journment would be taken over Thurs
day, upon some preteXt or other in or
der to give NJ. White an opportunity
to hear further from his government.
A high Russian authority summed the
situation, Wednesday morning, with
the words:
| There is still hope"
| Almost to a man the members of the
Russian mission would personally ia
vor the compromise suggested by the
President which, in their opinion, Of
fers an honorable road to peace. But
they are powerless of the Emperor and
his advisers stand firm. The Russians
realize that the turn events have taken
will put their country in a difficult po-
sition if a rupture comes now. Japan
will stand before the world as not i'm
placable, but ready to accept a COM
promise on the two main issues "by the
arrangement" to practically yield, in
: whole or in part, Article (cession of
Sakhalin). while obtaining in substance
If not in form Article 9 remuneration
, for the cost of the war;. Should Pus-
STA refuse this solution which will en-
able her to maintain quite correctly
that she coded neither territory nor
paid war tribute they believe nothing
can prevent the worlds verdict from
being against them.
They say that, in effect, it only In
wolves the recognition by Russia of an
accomplished fact Uhe military occupa-
ton of Sakhalin) and an equal recogni-
ton of the practical impossibility of
Russia reconquering it with her navy
at the bottom of the sea.
The Japanese seem keenly alive to
the advantage of their position. Should
Russia eventually decline the compro-
; mise they say they do not believe she
can escape the responsibility for the
failure Of the negotiations. ut will be
diplomatic Tsushima for Russia, "
said one Of them. Wednesday morning.
Article 10. Qnterned warships) and
Article II, Limitation of Russias nav
al power in the Far EasD can be cas-
lily arranged. They We're never serious
obstacles. Japan is believed only to
have placed them in the list of condi-
| lions to be made of in the final
bargain. But even Russia would not
prove obdurate, certainly not on Arti-
Gle 70, If Articles and were adjusta-
BILE.
1t was the general understanding be-
fore the conference met, Wednesday
morning. that Baron Komura would
suggest the compromise. but the fact
that NJ. Witte was not prepared to
make final response might lead to a
change Of program. Diplomatic man.
euverng might be the order of the
day and he question Of signing the pro-
tocols which was the official business
before the meeting might be employed
to secure the necessary delay.
1t should be understood that the
Presidents suggested line of compro-
mise will not appear officially before
the conference. What he has done has
been done in name, If not in fact, be-
| hind the scenes. He has labored with
each side separately. He has secured
the acquiescence Of Japan and accord
ing to the general understanding off,
| cially, his solution would be offered in
the conference as the proposition of
| Japan.