The news & observer., 1905-08-15
Russians Reject Terms
Conference Follows.
STRUGGLE POSTPONED
Indemnity .and Sakhalin Questions
Set Aside for Present and Other
Points Discussed. Have the Jap
anese or the Russians Reced-
ed? Former Show Elation.
(By the Associated Press.)

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 12.-There
is rift in the clouds. The prospects
of a successful issue of the Washing
ton Conference" have frightened
somewhat as a result of today's devel-
opments. The discussion of the terms
submitted by Japan has actually be-
gun, but this has been accomplished
by postponing the consideration of the
two main issues, indemnity and the
cession of Sakhalin. So far as aScer-
tainable, the Japanese were RESPONSE
BILE for the tactics by which this hope
full stage was entered upon. AS the
mantle of secrecy has been thrown
around the proceedings by mutual
pladges not to divulge what happened
within the council chamber there are
missing links in the chain of evidence,
and it is impossible to judge whether
this signifies a backdown on either
side on the main points. On the face
of things both sides are still as un-
compromising as ever upon the two
issues. the struggle over them being
merely postponed. Some sort of
private understanding arrived at by
Baron Komura and Mr.. Witte during
the recess at the navy yard today is
limited at, but there is not the slight
est confirmation Obtalnable.
The Japanese Elated.
No evidence of change of the un-
compromising attitude on the part of
Mr.. Witte or Baron Rosen regarding
the main points is observable. Never
theleSs the Japanese who are attached
to the Nippon mission plainly manifest
elation and some of them privately
assert that Mr.. Witte would never
have consented to the discussion of
the terms had he not been prepared
to yield on the question of Sakhalin.
The Russian reply with it's nom
possumus as to indemnity and
Sakhalin, had been presented in the
morning. Yet in spite of this fact
at three O'Clock the plenipotentiaries
met and after agreeing to discuss the
conditions seriatim entered upon the
consideration of the first of the Japan
ese terms. The proposition to discuss
the conditions in this way is believed
to have emanated from the Japanese
side. The first condition was of Sec
ondary importance-one of those
which Russia had passed upon as con-
ditionally acceptable as basis of dis
cussion-yet little progress was made.
-Four hours were spent in debating it,
but no conclusion was reached. AS
there are twelve conditions and this
one is of minor Importance, the out
look is still gloomy. The plenipoten-
tlartes at seven o'clock adjourned until
tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock.
The japanese wanted to hold session
in the morning, but Mr.. Witte would
not agree to this, as it was Sunday.
Witte Doesn't Like Secrecy.
Both of today's sessions are de-
scribed as friendly" but no details
are divulged. Mr.. Witte. however
makes no concealment of the fact that
the rigid secrecy which the Japanese
insisted upon imposing upon the pro-
ceedtngs is distasteful to him. With
much earneStness he spoke tonight
to the Associated Press representative
upon the subject. At the time he was
taboring under considerable excite
ment, because of the published asser-
ton which had been called to his at
tention that he had pleaded for an
armlstice. For the dignity of Russia
and the pride of his country he asked
that an absolute denial should be
given to the report.
Russia's Reply.
The Russian reply to the Japanese
terms delivered by Mr.. Witte to Baron
komura was outlined in the Associ-
ated Press dispatches last night.
Upon the two points-indemnity and
ceSSlon Of Sakhalin-it declines to ad-
NIT discussion. Others it accepts and
still others it accepts conditionally 1t
is long, taking up the conditions seri-
atm and setting forth the reasons and
argument for the decision reached in
each case. The argument against the
payment of an indemnity or the ces-
sion of territory is based upon the
general theory that Russia is not re-
sponsible for the war, and that Rus
sia is still prepared to continue the
struggle and has sought this meeting
not as vanquished country begging
fer terms, but because she sincerely
desired peace if honorable peace is
possible. Therefore she could neither
agree to foot Japan's bill for war ex-
renses nor cede territory. The argu-
ment can be fairly stated as follows
Russia is not vanquished. She has
suffered reverses. but she is no
obliged to accept peace at any cost
She desires peace now as she always
has, even before Japan opened hos.
tilities. That Russia did not court oil
want war was evident by the fact thai
she was not prepared for it either In
q military. naval or administrative
sense. Russia could possibly be prop
erly accused of only one thing-of
having given the occasion which Japar