The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-08-10
PEssIlIIsM At PORTSMOUTH.
Growing Conviction That Japan's Terms
VIII Not be ACCEPTABLE.

ag /,
Portsmouth, N. H, Aug 9.-With the
probability that Baron Komura will to-
morrow reveal to the Russian plenipo-
tentiaries the terms upon which Japan
is willing to conclude peace, opinions
as to the outcome among those who are
congregated here to watch the pro-
ceedings has become decidedly pessi-
1nistic. This is due to the growing con-
viction that Japan's conditions will not
prove as moderate as were at one time
anticipated and, especially in the mat
ter of indemnity, may preclude the pos
sibility OF their acceptance by the Rus
sian ENJOYS as a basis of negotiations.
The firm attitude Of Mr.. Witte in pri-
vate conversation against the payment
Of an indemnity and the insistent re-
ports emanatiilg from Japanese quar-
tiers that a stiff war contribution ap-
proximating the cost of the war, varf-
ousIy stated at from $500, 900, 900 to $780,
100000, constitutes one of Japan's de-
mands, indicates a wide, If not an ire
concilable difference between Japan's
irreducible minimum and what Russia
is prepared to accept. Upon the ques-
ton Of the payment of large indem-
nifty the instructions of the Russian
plenipotentiaries are believed to admit
of no concessions, although it is possi-
BILE certain compensation in kind
might be arranged, For instance, it is
suggested that for the REIMBURSEMENT
of the island of Sakhalin, now poten-
TALLY in Japan's hands, the possession
of which by Japan would give her COM
nand of the whole Siberian littoral,
Russia could with propriety pay a
large sum. t..s.
Gloomy foreboding, however, may be
premature at this juncture, as every
thing indicates the plenipotentiaries
upon both sides are sincerely desirous
Of concluding a treaty of peace. il, -
The first meeting of the, plenipoten-
tiaries to-day was of an entirely in
formal character, so informal in fact
that Baron Komura did not bring his
letter Of credence to the Portsmouth
navy yard, whereas Mr.. Witte was
armed with the original document in
Russian setting forth the powers con-
ferred upon him, and also with trans
lation of the document. The latter he
read. Baron Komura was embarrassed
and offered to send back to the hotel
for his commission but Mr.. Witte ex-
pressed his faith that the credentials
were full and ample and it was ar
ranged that official exchange of creden-
tials should be made tomorrow.
Later in the afternoon, however, cop
les of the credentials were informally
exchanged in order that they might be
examined before the meeting to-mor-
row. It Is known that the credentials
differ slightly. In exactly what respect
cannot be ascertained tonight, but the
Associated Press correspondent is as
sured both by the Japanese and Rus
sian enaissaries that the difference is
not essential and constitutes no obsta-
Gle to the official opening of the ne
gotiations. Indeed, the president was
officially informed tonight that the
credentials were full, ample and salts
factory to both Sides
It was decided to-day to hold two
daily sessions, one in the morning be-
ginning at $50 and one in the afternoon
beginning at o'clock. To avoid delay
and give the plenipotentiaries and the
delegates time between sessions, it has
been arranged that luncheon will be
served at the navy yard, and the. en-
voys upon leaving their quarters in the
morning will not return until the aft
ernoon sessions adjourns. Three sec
retaries for each side will be in at
tendance to draw up the protocols of
the meetings, which will be written in
both English and French.
The French text, however, in case of
dispute will be accepted in evidence
(Faire foi). The official versions of to-
days meeting given out by each side,
described it as satisfactory" and 9TH
er accounts indicate that while every
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