Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-08-31
MR.. WHITE SAID NO.
Compromise Proposed by President
Roosevelt Was Rejected.
CONFERENCE HAS AGAIN ADJOURNED


Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. A.-The
Japanese plenipotentiaries at the con-
clusion Of the afternoon session
Wednesday Of the peace conference
threw the card upon the table. 1t was
the dramatic moment-the moment to
which all the previous proceedings
OF the conference had led. The pro-
tocols involving agreement upon eight
of the twelve conditions originally
presented by Japan had been signed.
One side or the other must make a
move for the plenlpotentiaries had
reached the parting Of the ways, The
adversaries faced each other across the
table. OF course It was well under
stood what would happen, but that, In
q way, only made 1t more dramatic.
Figuratively, President Roosevelt sud-
denly entered the conference room.
Mr.. WHITE sat silent and the move In
the great diplomatic game passed to
Japan. Baron Komura In few words
explained that Japan, in her great de-
sire for peace, was ready to make GER
tain notifications" of the original
articles in the hope that Russia could
flnd n possible to accept them. He
then presented in writing to Mr.. WHITE
the compromise proposition which
President Roosevelt had suggested.
It was concrete and specific and 1t fol-
lowed the lines outlined in these dis
patches. 1t offered to withdraw arti-
Gle ., providing for the payment by
Russia Of Japan's bill for the cost OF
the war, on condition that Russia
would accept article s, which provides
for the cesslon Of the island Of SAX
halln, 90 modified as to include an ar
rangement for the repurchase by Rus
sla Of the northern half of the island
for 1,2OO,OOO,0OO yen. In addition It
offered to withdraw entirely articles
II and II Surrender Of the informed
warships and limitation upon Russla's
sea power In the Far East.
II was President Roosevelt's COM
promise and Mr.. White knew Its conf
tents as we'll as Baron Komura. The
question Of whether he had been
''bluiing" was put to the test
Without a moments hesitation Mr.
witte explained that the modification
proposed was merely sham, change
Of phraseology, a diplomatic attempt
to "dorer la pilule" and ask Russia
TO pay war tribute under another
name. He would not accept It He
told Baron Komura Russia wanted
peace. She had given the proofs In
accepting every article involving the
issues upon which the war was fought,
but she could fight and money for
tribute she would not pay, not a ko-
peck. He asked Baron Komura to
withdraw all demands for tribute And
90 the plenlpotentiaries separated, to
meet again on Saturday, ostensibly to
permit Mr.. White. to place in writing
a. the rules Of the conference require
his reply to the japanese compromise
proposition. In reality, the adjourn
ment over the two days was to give
each side an opportunity to consult
its government for the last time.
The outlook Is black. many believe
Il was never so black as now. The
Japanese are not talking. Indeed, they
appear to be more taclturn and more
resolute than ever. The only possible
line Of further Japanese concession IL
considered to lie in the deminution Of
the amount Of the purchase money de-
manded for the north half Of sakhalln.
The decision rests. therefore. as II has
from the first, with Russia. Unless
the emperor agrees to yield between
now and Saturday, the end is likely
% come on that day. And the indica-
tIons from Peterhof. instead Of raising
che chances show even a hrmer deter
mination to yield neither territory nor
indemnify. sugar coated though the
latter may be-
& he long Instruction received. last