Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-13
DISCUSSION ON MAIN ISSUES
IS POSTPONED
WITTE OBJECTS TO SECRECY
Says Russian PIenIpotentlarIes stand
Ready to Publish Full Proceed
lngs, Which, In Reality, Con-
Germ the Whole World
Continued From PnRe ope.


sert 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.
Conditions Discussed serlatlm
All this appears yet to be largely
surmise and deduction, but certainly
the curtain of mystery which has now
been rung down might easily conceal
important maneuvering fyom the public
gaze. The Russian reply with its nom
possumus as to Indemnity and Sakha-
lin had been presented In the morning
Yet, in spite of this fact, at o'clock
the plenipotentiaries met and, after
agreeing to discuss the conditions seri-
atm, entered upon the consideration Of
the first of the japanese terms.
The first condition was of minor i'm
portance, one of those which Russia
had passed upon as conditionally ac-
ceptable as a basis of discussion, yet
little progress was made. Four hours
were spent in debating it, but no con-
clusion was reached. AS there are
twelve conditions and this one is of
small Importance, the outlook is still
gloomy. The plenipotentiaries at !
o'clock adjourned until tomorrow
afternoon at o'clock. The japanese
wanted to hold a session in the morn
ing, but M. witte would not agree to
this, as it was Sunday.
Both of today's sessions are described
as friendly but no details are di-
vulged M. Witte, however, makes
no concealment of the fact that
the rigid secrecy which the Jap
anese insisted upon imposing up
on the proceedings is distasteful
to him. With much earnestness he
spoke tonight to the Associated Press
correspondent upon the subject. At the
time he was laboring under consider
able excitement because of the pub
lished assertion which had been called
to his attention that he had pleaded for
an armistice. For the dignity of Rus
sia and the pride of his country he
asked that an absolute denial be given
to the report.
Recurring to the question of the Sec
reoy of the proceedings he said he did
not understand the Japanese desire to
conceal what was taking place, nor
could he appreciate the logic of the
arguments adduced In support of their
position.
1--WE desire,'' said he, that every
thing pertaining to the conference
should be done in the daylight. Rus
sia is ready to be judged by the whole
world. We have nothing to conceal
and nothing to fear. Before the con-
ference began all sorts of reports and
misstatements emanated from the other
side. Now that the world needs en-
lightenment, now that the moment has
come to face the supreme tribunal Of
public opinion, we are not permitted
to place before the world the evidence
in our possession from which a just
verdict could be returned as to the
issue between the belligerents. The
Russian plenipotentiaries stand ready
to publish the text Of the Japanese
conditions, the full reply Of Russia pre-
sented this morning, the diplomatic
notes that have been exchanged and
the minutes of the sitting. The issue
now being tried at Portsmouth is not
only question of peace or war be-
tween Russia and Japan but one which
might produce a general confiagration
involving the shedding of blood in
many countries"
Russia Is Not Vanqulshed
Upon the two points-indemnity and
cession of Sakhalin-the Russian reply
declines to admit discussion. Others
it accepts and still others it accepts
conditionally. 1t is long, taking up the
conditions seriatim and setting forth
the reasons and arguments for the de-
cision reached in each case. The argu-
ment against the payment of an in
demnity or the cesslon of territory is
based upon the general theory that
Russia is not responsible for the war
and that Russia is still prepared to con-
tinue the struggle and has sought this
meeting, not as a vanuished country
begging for terms but because she sin
cerely desires peace If honorable peace