Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-08-24
PEACE is IN
The BALANCE.
Decision Now Rests With The
Emperor of Russia Last
Concessions.
ROOSEVELT'S WORK.

PORTSMOUTH, n. H., Aug. "a
The Japanese plenipotentiarics ut the
conclusion of the afternoon session Oh
the peace conference threw the cards
upon the table. 1t was the dramatic
moment-the moment to which all the
previous proceedings of the conference
had led. The protocols involving
agreement upon eight of the Twelve
conditions originally presented by Ja-
pan had been signed. One side OF the
other must make d move or the plell-
p~otentiaries had reached the parting
of the ways. The adversaries taceu
each other across the table. OF course
it was well understood what Woulu
happen, but that in a way only maze
it more dramatic. Figuratively Pres
ident Roosevelt suddenly entered Inc
conference room. NJ. Witte sat SILENT
and the move in the great diplomatic
game passed to Japan.
Baron Komura in a few words eN-
planned that Japan in her great desire
for peace was ready to make certain
qualifications of the original articles
in the hope that Russia could Il II
possible to accept them. He then pre-
scented in writing to NJ. Witte the COM
promise proposition which President
Roosevelt had suggested. 1t was con
crete and specific, and it followed the
lines outlined in these dispatches. 1t
offered to withdraw article 8, provid-
ing for the payment by Russia OF ia
pans bill for the cost of war on con
dition that Russia would accept arti-
Gle ), which provides for the cession
of the island Of Sakhalin, so modified
as to include an arrangement for the
repurchase by Russia of the northern
half of the island for 1,200,00O,OOO
ven. In addition, it offered to With
draw entirely articles II and II (sur-
render of the informed warships and
limitation upon Russia's sea power i'll
the far east). 1t was President Itoose
velt's compromise, and Nj. Witte knew
its contents as well as Baron komura.
The question of whether he had been
''blufing" was put to the test.
Without Il moments hesitation NJ.
White explained that the modification
proposed was merely Il sham, Il change
of ~phraseology, Il diplomatic attempt
to ''swceten the pilI' and ask Russia
to pay war tribute under another
name. He could not accept ii. He told
Baron Komura Russia wanted peace
She had given the proofs i'll accepting
every article involving the issues upon
which the wal was fought, but she
could fight, and money for tribute she
would not pay, not a kopeck. He asked
Baron Komura to withdraw all de
mands for tribute. And so the pleni-
potentiaries separated to meet again
on Saturday ostensibly to permit NJ.
White to place in writing, as the rules
of the conference require, his reply to
the Japanese compromise proposition.
In reality the adjournment over the
two days was to give each side an op-
p~ortunity to consult its government for
the last time.
The decision rests, as it has from the
first, with Russia. Unless the emperor
agrees to yield between now and Sat
urday the end is likely to come on that
day. And the indications from Peter
hof, instead of raising the chances Of a
change of heart on the part of the en-
peror, seem to Indicate even Il finer
determination to yield neither territory
Ior indemnity, sugar co2tal though the
latter may be.