Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-12

the peace negotiations and particularly
with the manner in which the Japanese
ENJOYS are conducting their side of the
case. He says their method of doing
business is direct and absolutely devoid
of red tape and so far rs they are con-
cerned, treaty of peace might be sign
ed at once. He comments On the ncccs-
sity of the Russian plenipOtcntiarics
sending the Japanese terms to the Car
If Russia cannot accept the terms, he
announces that his country is AL
right, we will go on lighting"
However he secs no reason for haste
In the Negotiations. The position pf
Japan. he agrees. is much better, to-
day, than at the beginning of the war,
There is no Russian navy now, there
no Port Arthur. no Liloyang, no Muk
den, and our army is in possession Of
Sakhaln and threatening the commu
mcations of VlaGivOstok.
He expresses belief that the whole
civilized world Will agree that the peace
terms of Japan arc reasonable. consc-
quently, if the conference fails it will
be due to Russia. Should it end with
out peace he sees no nope in the future
for anything except 20 fight to the bit
ter end. There is, he says, no other ma
ton which could with the observance of
| the proper proprietics suggest subse-
quent negotiations for peace.
SwelterinG in their imprOvised office
rooms in the hotel but seemingly obliv-
| iOus to the intense heat and depressing
humidity of the most disagrecaDle day
| since flpir arrival the rnSnpctivn
negotiators and their assistants conccn-
trated their energies to the organization
of their office forces. The japanese Of
| fees on the second floor and in the center
| of the main building of the hotel were,
Thursday. equipped with a fire-proof safe,
obtained in Portsmouth. The combina-
ton method of locking the safe was OBJ
jected to by the Japanese, who suggested
| that lock and key would be preferable.
After several unsuccessful attempts to
manipulate the combination, Friday, the
| safe was ordered out with the statement
| that to got rid OF it the cost of its in
stallation and removal, would be gladly
paid.
There are two fire-proOf document
rooms i'll the naval stores building one OF
which has been assigned to each mission
and il II not likely that all valuable pa
| pers and records will be kept there under
constant guard OF marines, who patrol
| the building day and night.
In addition to the suite of Offices which
| the Russian mission has at the navy yard
rooms in the hotel annex adjoining their
residential suite have been fitted up for
work, that u may not be necessary to
go to the navy yard on days when the
conference is not in session.
Now that the japanese terms arc in the
| hands Of the Russian government the
documentary data which relates to each
specification is being renewed and put in
| form for instant reference.
It was this work and the preparation
and receipt of dispatches in cipher by
| both sides that resulted in making the
| day one of intense activity within but
devoid of any evidence of this activity
without The hotel corridors and veran-
| das were given over completely to tn"
summer guests and the newspaper CORE
spondcnts The hosts regretted the dull
ness Of the press business.