The Cairo bulletin., 1905-08-13
In the War Clouds and II is
Believed Russia Will Come
to Terms
WHICH ARE DISCUSSED
AND JAPANESE APPEAR ELATED
WHILE M. WiTTE FRETs AND
FUMES OVER HIS AN.
TAGoNlsT'S TACTICS.

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Is a rift in the clouds. The pros
pects of successful issue of the
Washington conference" have bright
ened somewhat as result OF today's
developments,
Discussion of the terms submitted
by Japan has actually begun, but this
mas been accomplished by postponing
consideration of indemnity and cession
of Sakhalin. AS far as is ascertain
able, the Japanese were responsible
for the to etics by which this hopeful
stage was entered upon. AS mantle
of secrecy mas been thrown around
the proceedings by mutual pledges not
10 divulge what happened within the
council chamber there are missing
links in the chain of evidence, and il
IS impossible to judge whether this
signifies a back down on either side
On the main points. On the face of
things both sides are still as uncom-
promising as ever upon the two is
sues, the struggle over them being
merely postponed
Some sort of private understanding
arrived at by Komura ana Witte dur
ing the recess az the navy yard to-
day, ii hinted al, but there Is not
the slightest confirmation obtainable.
No evidence of d change Of the I'M
compromising attitude on the part Of
White or IsGsen regarding the main
points Is obs srvahle Nevertheless
The Japanese plainly manifest elation
and some Of them privately assert that
Witte would never have consented TO
discussion. of the terms had he not
Deen prepared 70 yield on the question
9f Salsifaln !.
All this appears yet 10 he largely
surmise and deduction, but certainly
sle curtain Of mystery which has now
0een rung down might easily conceal
mportaqlt maneuyering from public
gaze. The Russian reply with lis non
possimus as to indemnity and Sakhalin
had been presented in the morning
Yet. in spite OF this fact, at thre
Jctoek the plenipotentiaries met and
after agreeing to discuss the condi
tien seriatim entered upon considera
zion OF the first Of the Japanese terms
Fhe proposition 10 discuss conditions
In this way 4 believed to laye eman
ated from thu Japanese side. The
first condition was Of secondary inn
portance cne of these which Russia
mad passed upon as coniitionally ac
ceptable as a basis OF disclssi0n-ye
little progress was made Four hours
were spent debating it bur no conclu
sion was reached As there are l.
condit ons and this one is of minor
Importance, the outlook is still gloomy
The pleniporentiaries at 7 O'Clock
adjourned until tomorrow afternoon
The Japanese wanted 10 hold a ses-
sion in the mornin, but Witte would
not agree to this as il was Sunday.
Both Of today's sessions are descrih.
ed as friendly" but no details arc
lvnlged. Witte, however, makes no
eonceament of the fact that the rigid
secrecy which the Japanese insisted
upon imposing upon the proceeding
ii distasteful to him. With mucn
eaYnestness he spoke tonight to the
Associated Press upon the subject AK
HE time he was laboring under con.
siderable excitement because Of pub
Hshed assertion which had been called
10 his attention that ne had pleaded
for an armistice. For the dignity Of
Russia and the pride Of his country
he asked that an absolute denial
should be given to the report.
Recurring to the question of secrecy
Of the proceedings he said he did not
understand the Japanese desire to con
ceal what was taking place nor could
he appreciate the logic Of the argu
ments adduced in support of theil
position.
"We desire" said he, "that every
thing pertaining TO the conference
should be done in the daylight. Rus
sia is ready to be judged by the whole
world We have nothing to concea
and nothing to fear,
Before the conference began al
sorts of reports and misstatement'
emanatcd from The other side. Now
that the world needs enlightenment
now that the moment has come tc
face the supreme tribunal Of public
opinion. We are not permitted TO place
before the world the evidence In oul
possession from which Just yerdic
could be returned as to the Issue be
tween the beligerents.
"The Russian plenlpotentiariel
stand ready to publish the text of thu
Japanese conditions, the full reply o
Russia presented this morning, diplo
matte notes that have been exchange.
and minutes Of the sittings. The is
sue now being tried at Portsmouth i
net only the question Of peace or wa
between Russia and Japan but on
which might produce general con
flagration involving the shedding d
blood In many countries
X Is believed the conditions discuss
cd al today's meeting was the question
Of the evacuation of Manchurla an
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