Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-08-26
THE PRESIDENTS
PEACE PLAN
Suggests Russia Re-Purchase Part
Of Sakhalin Held by Japan.
THE CzARs REPLY RECEIVED

Rumored That IL Is . Refusal and
That She Cannot Yield More With
Dignity and Honor - Presidents
Plan Would Have Both Sides Re-
eede Some.
Portsmouth, N. H. Aug. PA long
cable message from St Petersburg
which is believed TO be the Russian
reply arrived last night and Mr.
Whites secretaries. Mr.. Nabukon and
Mr.. Plancon, Immediately began deci-
phering il.
Considerable excitement was appar-
ent In the annex where the Russian
headquarters are located. Sheet by
sheet the translation was taken 10
Mr.. Whites room. The rumor is that
Il Is n refusal--a non possumus, a
reiteration OF the Russian position
that she has given ample proof OF her
desire for peace in the articles al
ready accepted, and that more she
could not yield with dignity and honor.
No confirmation OF the rumor that
RussiR's reply is a negative one can be
obtained, and IL must be accepted with
all reserve.
The Associated Press is now IN a po-
sition 10 reveal substantially the sug-
gestion OF President Roosevelt for
breaking the deadlock In the peace ne
Eotiatons and rescuing the conference
from failure His solution would in
seniously permit the satisfaction Of the
-
for the cost OF the war and az the same
time enable Russia TO face the world
with the declaration that she had not
csded foot OF territory or paid a ko-
pee OF war tribute 70 the victor. The
solution is the one which has hereto
fore been described as the natural and
logical compromise. Tersely stated. IL
consists in en- agreement by Russia 10
repurchase possession OF either all or
half OF the Island Of Sakhalln now in
the military occupation OF Japan for
sum the smount OF which. II the two
rountries cannot agree, shall be de-
eided by some method OF arbitration
hereafter 10 be determined. The pur-
chase money, together with the sum
Japan would obtain from the cession
OF the Chinese Eastern railroad and
the maintenance OF the Russian pris-
oners in Japan, would. it is estimated,
about equal the amount claimed by
Japan on her bill for the cost Of the
war. Practically. therefore. the solu-
tion offered by the president involves
recession by japan upon article Eve
(the cession OF Sekhalin), and recession
By Russia upon article nine Ondem-
nity). II seems practically certain.
though this cannot be affirmed posi-
lively, that the president was able TO
give Mr.. Witte substantial assurance
that japan would be willing TO accept
such q compromise. This Is apparently
supported by the authoritative Japa-
nsse statement IN the reply TO & ques-
tion as to whether Japan had not de-
cided TO make substantial concessions:
1T all depends upon Russia
Mr.. Roosevelt's message to Mr.. witte
end Baron de RoSen Is believed TO have
been the result of the interview at
Oyster Bay with Baron Kaneko. one OF
Marquis Itc's close friends. who hes
acted as the presidents medium Of
communication with the Toxic govern
ment.
Il has been ascertained here that
In addition to the presidents commu-
nication 10 Mr.. Witte through Baron
de Rosen last Sunday aud by mes
senger. messages directly TO Emperor
Nicholas have been delivered by Am
bassador Meyer at St Petersburg, but
no oficial confirmation is obtainable.
The general disposition was TO regard
the swift and Kaleidoscope develop
ments as materially Frightening the
chances OF the success OF the presi-
dents heroic endeayor TO save the
peace conference from failure. But II
was realized that all as before de
pended upon the attitude OF Emperor
Nicholas and his advisers Mr. Witte.
It is positively stated. personally
favors the solution offered by the
president. but. he is powerless unless
his imperial master gives the word
With the most intense anxiety that
word was awaited II spells peace or
war.