Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-08-12
RUSSIAN REPLY IS NOW READY
Understood to Contain Absolute Re.
fusal to Consider First Two of ia.
pen's Important Requirements
Other Suggestions Accepted as Bases
For Discussion.
(By Associated Presn.)


Rus:sa's reply to the Japanese terms
of peace will he delivered by NJ.
Wittc to Baron Konura at . O'clock
tomorrow mcrnng. The reply is writ
ten, there being TWO texts, the one in
English and the other in French.
Upon the critical points, indemnity
and the possession OF the Sakhalin,
the reply is an absolute non-pussu
mus. Other points are accepted as
bases for discussion, while others are
accepted conditionally.
The replynis rather long. because, in
enumeratng the conditions upon
which discussion il; admitted and upon
which consideration is declined, rca-
SOILS and arguments arc given. This
Japanese plenipotcntiaries are expect
ed TO ask for an immediate adjourn
ment to examine and prepare their
reply. NJ, Wittc will probably init.
mate that the Russian plenipoten-
tiaries expect the Japanese to display
as much expedition rs they (thc Rus
sinns) have Shown in the preparation
Of their response.
Real Discussion Begins Monday.
Monday, therefore, is expected to
be the day on which the real discus
sion will begin. Neither side wants
to indulge in diplomatic sparring The
time for fencing is over and less than
a week must decide whether n basis
Of peace Is possible
The tactics of the Japanese are in
scrutable. They have shown through
cut the war this ability to guard their
secrets, military, naval, and diplomat-
ic. and now not the remotest clue
comes from behind their closed doors
as, TO whether they are prepared to
make substantial concessions.
Silence and secrecy are their watch
words. But if the conditions as sub
mittcd constitute their last word hone
of peace may he regarded as having
disappeared il the feeling reelected in
Russian circles is true criterion.
That the japanese terms, insofar
as they touch the main points will not
he withdrawn or materially modified
is the opinion of the most competent
Japanese authority on the ground who
will talk for publication, namely, Mr..
Julio Kumpei Mats,mato, who is here
as Il financial emissary of Japan and
who is in close communication with
Baron Komura and Mr.. Takahira.
The reasons he assigns arc extremely
interesting.
impossible to Concede Either.
Tho conditions i'll their broad out
lines" said he to an Associated Press
correspondent tonight, have been
substantially known to lis in Japan.
and the Russians will be very much
mistaken If they imagine the Japanese
will not Insist upon the two chief
points: the intemnity and tho posses
sion of Snkhalien. To surrender either
is impossible. If Baron Komura
should yield on these points public
feeling in Japan would he so strong
that he would be murdered upon his
return to Japan. We must be reim-
bursed for the cost of the war and we
have national claims to Sakhalien
which we have never forgotten.
What Some Ja3s Wanted.
THE Japanese government has only
asked what, according to Japan's
ideas, are considered most moderate
terms. A strong party in Japan IA
vored claiming not only Sakhalicn.
the Lao Tung peninsula, protcctoratc
over Korea. anu tho evacuation of
Manchuria, but also the cession to
Japan af the territory around thu
mouth of the Amur."
The question of credentials has been
adjusted upon the assurance of the
Japanese that the powers granted
Baron Komura were in the regular
form always employed by. Japan. NJ.
Witte will not pursue the matter fur
ther. II is believed that his object
In presenting his note on the subject