The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-26
Conference Seems Headed
 Straight For Rocks.
AIR FILLED WITH GLOOM
TOday'S Session of Meeting
 May Be Last.
Ray of Hope in Fact That Result Oi President Roosevelt's Direct Ap- peal to Cxar Has Not Trans
 pired.

Portsmouth, N. H., 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 had been settled in favor of the victor and in reality "only words and money" still separate them, the negotiations seem on the verge of a final rupture.
 The air was filled tonight with gloomy forebodings as, superfcially, everything indicated that tomorrow's session of the conference will prove the "seance d'adieu". In the most positive fashion it is declared that no new in- structions had reached MT. Witte up to this evening which would permit him to entertain the consideration of the compromise proposition submitted by Baron Komura on Wednesday and therefore unless Japan has a new pro- poss& to make tomorrow all that seems to remain is for the plenipotentiaries to meet, sign a declaration that the conference has completed its labors, shake hands and part as enemies. not as friends.
 But there are still unknown clements in the situation which in the twink ling might change the situation, The result of President Roosevelt's second appeal direct to Emperor Nichalos has not transpfred and the result of the pressure on Japan to alter the form of her proposal by the elimination of the purchase price of the northern half of Sakhalin Is not known But the indi- cations on both scores are not reassur- ing. The press dispatches from Tokio and St. Petersburg, read with the most intense interest here, indicate an in transigeant attitude on the part of both governments Yet both are anx- ious for peace and only words and money" bar the path. Probably it Is not a matter of more than $2o0, ,000, 900. Yet the Japanese cling doggedly 10 their demands. Their people at home insist upon it. The mcHt competent Japanese authority who did not conceal his pessimism when asked tonight whether. for the sake of peace, Japan would yield further, replied:
 TOlxIO's Attitude.
 Read the dispatches from Tokio and draw your own conclusions. Never theless, there is warrant for the state ment that they are not as implacable as they appear and by conversation had by the Associated Press, the dis- ttnct impression was gathered that they could scale their money demands and use any "formulae" which would be acceptable to Russia. It is not be- heved that they propose 10 Jet the con- ference end tomorrow.
 On the Russian side all pretense of claiming that M. Witte Is any longer negotiating has been abandoned He has gone to the furthermost limit of his imperial masters orders. More he cannot do. sincerely as he personally may desire g. bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion. His posi- ton is difficult and peculiar one. He is a statesman of large ambition. Lib- eral at heart. he is yet a servant of his sovereign. At the present juncture his role Is described as like that of Mira beau. He stands between the King ana his people He obeys his sovereign but he wants his people to know where the responsibility for the fate of negotia- tions must rest. At the same time he cannot himself take a firm stand against his sovereign. For this reason. and the authenticated history Of this conference will bear out the statement, he preferred, when first appealed to by President Roosevelt, 10 have the latter l,go straight to the Emperor with his ' ecEgestions. Though perhaps in full Ysympathy with MT. Roosevelt, to have himself appear in support of 1t too ardentIy or even to have openly en- dorsed 1t against his instructions might, considering the factions about the court, which are personally hostile and jealous of him, have injured instead of bettered the chances.
 When the Presidents first effort fail ed he did not discourage second made in such way that the Emperor would have difficulty in declining, out of cour- tesy to the President to empower M witte at least tentatively to proceed with the negotiations and see if satis- factory base could not be made, reserv- ing the last word to himself. Should such authority come at the eleventh hour. NJ Witte might make the best terms he could. and then, lguratively throw a treaty at the Emperor's feet to take or leave yes or no.
 Doesn't Want Responsibility.
 As A politician, he might not relish the idea of having 1t said when ne re- turned to Russia that he had made a had neace He might prefer the Elm peror to shoulder that responsibility.
 Shortly before midnight, M. Witte gave absolutely no encouragement to the idea that there would be change of heart at St. Petersburg. Unless To- lxio was ready to recede further. he ex' pressed the opinion tha tai was over He used the following words to the As sociated Press: 'I have received nc telegram from St. Petersburg which changes the situation. Indeed oon expect any. I have not asked instruc' tions so I cannot receive any. If to- morrow there is to be change, 1t mus' come from the Japanese side.
 This would seem to indicate that th' president's second effort had failed al st Petersburg. What, If anything, n' has been able to do at Tokio througf his interview with Baron Kaneko thi' afternon still remains mystery. Ina Inc last word had not come from TOXIC and that Baron Komura may still ap near in a conciliatory role tomorrow ma possibly be inferred from the fol lowing facts:
 The time for the sitting of the con ference tomorrow was not set wheT the adfournment was taken on wed nesaav This evening M Wltte through his secretary, notified the Jap anese mission that he was ready t' meet fin the morning az s:SO o'clock The Japanese. after consultation de murred on the ground that the min utes of the last meeting would not o' ready in time Therefore. at their re quest. the meeting was set for o'ciocl fin the afternoon. Information received at late hour indicates that Presi dent Roosevelt's efforts are not ex hausted. that he is stiil in communi cation with Tokio and St. Peterseur g Tomorrow's meeting, consequently II not likely to prove decisive. It VII