New-York tribune., 1905-08-20
CONCERNS Russia ONLY,
Belief in Regard to the Presidents
PrOpOSitiOR.

portsmouth, n. H., Aug. I3-Ai HoPe
that the peace negotiations may yet be saved
from break Tuesday is fastened to the
proposition which Baron Rosen is bringing from
President Roosevelt to NJ. Witte, This PROPOSE
tion it is understood. concerns only Russia's
position, and. if it shall prove acceptable TO
Russia, will be presented by NJ. Witte as soon
it shall have received the sanction Of the
Emperor.
When NJ Witte retired tonight ne was en-
tirely ignorant of the nature of the proposition.
All he knew that at midnight last night he
was aroused by a message from the President.
brought to him by Assistant Secretary Peircc.
requesting that he send Immediately to Oyster
Bay Baron Rosen, or some other confidential
agent of high rank. to receive message of the
most confidential nature and of urgent impor-
tance. NJ Witte went at once TO Baron Rosen's
room and requested him to go to Oyster Bay at
the earliest possible moment. Late tonight Nj.
witte was advised by Baron Rosen that he was
leaving Oyster Bay and expected TO reach here
some time tomorrow morning
The Japanese plenipotentiares are yet without
any official knowledge of Baron Rosen's visit
TO Oyster Bay. Baron Komura and Mr. Taxa
hira do not expect that the proposition will come
before the conference as a suggestion from the
President but in case it shall be acceptable to
Russia they expect to see its effect i'll a modif-
cation of the Russian attitude. japan has the
utmost confidence in the President and, al
though without any official knowledge OF this
latest movement, the Japenese plenipotentiaries
feel certain that the President is acting not
OILY in behalf of peace, but much in the in
terest of Japan of Russia that before Baron
Rosen arrived at Oyster Bay the President was
in full possession of Japan's views and knew on
what points she might, under certain conditions
yield and what demands regarded as es-
sential and Interchangeable.
Japan. it be stated, must somehow be re
imbursed for the cost of the Unless the
japanese Emperor shall change his position
which his plenipotentiaries do not for
ment believe is probable, Russia must yield
Article Cwar indemnity. or Japan will be
forced to continue the war. The Japanese pleni-
potentiaries have not recommended to their gov
ernment a retraction of the principle for which
the war was fought, and for which Baron Ko-
mura and Mr.. Takahra have been striving
nestly throughout the conference
Up to midnight neither Baron Komura nor NJ
Takahira had received from the President any
Invitation 10 go to Oyster Bay, but it is re-
garded as not improbable that the President,
after his conference with Baron Rosen may de-
sire further information regarding Japan's posi-
ton in this crisis and to obtain this may request
NJ. Takahira to come to Oyster Bay for con-
ference. Should such invitation be received
the Minister would leave here Immediately I'm
less however, the President wishes to know
something more about the Japanese demands
the Japanese mission here can see no occasion
for a visit 70 Oyster Bay by of their
number.
The rumor in circulation here tonight that
resentment was felt in japanese circles at the
action of the President in sending for Baron
Rosen is authortativey denounced as false
well 6pa affo
President to serve the cause of peace Before
the peace conference was a certainty the Presi-
dent assured Japan of his hearty sympathy with
her fnsistence that any negotiations initiated
should be conducted exclusively with Russia
Regarding the Presidents latest move Jap
anese authority said tonight:
Japans confidence in President Roosevelt as
q great and good friend has been strengthened
rather than shaken by his final effort, on the
eve of what is feared may prove the farewell
session of the Washington conference. to pre-
vent rupture. Japan has done her utmost for
peace. We believe the President appreciates
this, and, If he does any action that he may, In
the light of his knowledge, take to serve the
cause of peace will find hearty sympathy and
support on the part of Japan. The day that
Russia realizes that Japan's irreducible min
linum is irreducible, peace viii be much nearer
Mr.. Takahira. the Japanese Minister, will at
tend church tomorrow. 1t is probable that
| Baron Komura will board the Mayfower about
| noon and go a cruise down the coast in the
afternoon, together with members of the Rus
| sian and japanese missions. In case Baron
Rosen is not detained here by his work, he will
also be a member of the party.
There is great speculation tonight regarding
President Roosevelt's proposition, but the secret
has been we'll kept, and there is absolutely no
authentic information the subject So in
tense is the interest here in the change in the
situation to-day that a rumor in circulation at
| the Wentworth tonight that the President ex-
pected TO come to Portsmouth found many be-
levers 1t is regarded here, however, in official
| circles most improbable.