The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-09-01
TOXIC lNSTRUcTS kOMURA TO
PRESENT NEW PLAN TO
CONFERENCE.
PEACE NOW SEEMS ASSURED
PRESIDENT CONDUCTS NEGOTIA.
TiONS WHICH RESULT IN
SENSATION.

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug 30.-Baron
Komura. acting upon instructions re-
ceived from Toxic as the result of
yesterdays meeting of the cabinet and
"elder statesmen" under the direct
presidency of the emperor of Japan.
will to-day submit to Mr.. Witte new
basis of compromise, and that compro-
mise, it is firmly believed, will insure
peace.
The revelation made yesterday that
Japan had already Informed Emperor
Nicholas through President Roosevelt
and Ambassador Meyer, that Japan
was ready to waive the question of in
demnity, submit the price to be paid
for the northern half of Sakhalin to
the judgment of mixed commission,
but prepared the way for
Japan's Back Down
upon the main issue. The announce
ment had been the sensation OF the
day. IT had met with denials high and
low. 1t was declared to be impossible,
incredible. The Japanese declined TO
admit it, and the Russians said they
had no confirmation. Mr.. Witte init
mated strongly that st. Petersburg
had not apprised him of any such ac-
tion by the president. There was
even a disposition to ridicule the idea
of arbitrating the price of half of the
island. Nevertheless, on all hands it
was admitted if Japan took this posi-
ton, the ground was cut out from un-
der Emperor Nicholas.
Japan Shifts the Burden.
Mr.. Witte, by consummate skill in
conceding all the demands of Japan
involving the real issues of the war,
had maneuvered his adversaries into
a position that unless they abandoned
the claim for indemnity they could be
accused of continuing the war for
money. The Japanese in abandoning
the claim for indemnity now practical
ly turn the tables and shift the burden
back to Russia's shoulders if she does
not consent to submit minor issue to
the impartial judgment of a tribunal.
Mr.. Witte publicly dissents vigorously
from the proposition and there will
still be struggle with Peterhof. but
If Japan agrees to-day to formally
Renounce all Claims
for direct or indirect compensation for
bling block to peace is out of the way.
Everything will depend upon the form
in which the proposal is submitted.
Should the renunciation be SO coupled
with the other proposition that Rus
sla could claim it was still only DIS
guised demand for tribute, the gulf
might only be narrowed, not bridged.
All the private advices that reach
the Russian mission from st. Peters
burg indicate that the military party
is bellicOse, insistent that Lineyitch
be given a chance and negotiations be
broken Off
Witte Feels Pressure.
Mr.. Witte feels the pressure Of this
sentiment, and, as man of ambition,
he may not feel that he can afford to
lay himself open to the charge that he
Is temporizing with the situation. He
has power under his instructions to
reject out Of hand any proposition in
volving the payment of tribute. He
need not consult his imperial master
He is man Of inspiration and he is
quite capable. II the Japanese prOpo-
sition savors still of blood money"
to refuse even to accept it for trans
mission to ST. Petersburg.
But such stroke is not expected
Mr.. Witte knows that public opinion.
both in America and in Europe, as
| well as in Russia
Would Condemn Him
IL he broke OF the negotiations just as
the way was opened for a possible ac-
cord.
While apparently the real negotia-
tions leading up to yesterdays an
nOuncement were conducted by the
president at Oyster Bay, acting
hand. and Ambassador Meyer on the
other, it is now believed that much
has been going on beneath the sur
| face here.
Some Of the Japanese were greatly
| excited yesterday on the reports that
Toxic had surrendered on the ques-
tion of indemnity. They declined to
believe it, saying If true It would
cause a tremendous outburst of popu-
lar feeling in Japan.