The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-26
SMALL CHANCE
NOW OF PEACE.
Russians Arc Convinced That
the Conference Is "a
... Failure.
JAPS ARE MORE GUARDED.
Playing for Time In the Hope Of
Some favorabIs Turn n
Affairs.

Affairs.
ENJOYS VIII Meet 1hiflAfternoon but an Ad.
Journment 10 Looked For-Japanose
Have Avoided Crises Before and May
DO SO Again-Many Messages Received
by the Envoy Believed ia
He In communicated with the mus
sians-Wants sakhalin Oner Accepted.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H.. Aug. 25.-There Is
now practically no reason to believe that
the Portsmouth conference between the
ENJOYS Of Russia and Japan will result In
. peace agreement. Everything that has
come to light tonight indicates that the
end is matter Of few days at most. Moth
ing has developed to afford the promise Of
harmonious outcome.
From both sides the information Is given,
frankly by the Russians, guardedly by the
Japanese, that each has said its final word.
Rumors that tie Toxic Government has
adopted conciliatory attitude are entirely
without confirmation from sources Of
authority in Portsmouth.
That is the situation as 1t appears this
evening after careful inquiry among those
who are acquainted with the views and in
tentions Of both the japanese and the
Russian plenipotentiarise. Mr.. Witte makes
no secret Of his conviction that the end Ia
near at hand. Members Of the Japanese
mission are not 90 outspoken, but they give
the impression that they have nothing
Y further to offer. They contend that their
last proposal, involving the sale to Russia
Of part Of Sakhalin Island, was intended to
be oonciliatory and not in the nature Of IN
utimatum and that It Is now for Russia
to make tbs next move.
But Russia has nothing moro to say. Her
position remains the Same as it was last
Wednesday. when Mr.. Witte virtually re-
jected the Japanese proposal for trade
of with regard to Sakhalin.
.The next formal meeting must be final.
was the emphatic declaration made to-
night by the highest source OF Russian
authority.
who knows?' answer the Japanese.
I'VE are hero to make peace. II possible
JAPs PLAYING FOR TINE.
The conference may end tomorrow;
but twill probably go over unit next week.
Regarding the negotiations as failure, the
Russians are anxious to have things over
with as quickly as etiquette will permit.
and they were extremely anxious to CON-
clude before tomorrow night. With this
In view Mr.. Witte proposed to-day that the
ENJOYS meet tomorrow morning at O'Clock
but the japanese suggested that O'Clock in
the afternoon would DO better hour, and
Mr.. Witts courteously complied.
1t is the expectation Of Japanese repre-
sentatives, however. that an adjournment
will be taken until Monday or Tuesday.
They are evidently playing for time, In the
hope that the Russians will acquire less
obstinate spirit
There was q period In the negotiations
when the Japanese were on the offensive
and the Russians in defensive attitude,
but now conditions have been reversed.
and It is tho emissaries Of the Gar who
are standing firm, while the reprssents-
tives Of the Toxic Government arc making
the effort to bring about . conciliatory
spirit
There were reports late last night that
the Russians had received Instructions
from st. Petersburg that indicate will
ingness to mako further oonoessions but q
nat denial was given to-day to these rumors
by ono Of the Russian ENJOYS.
since tho adjournEent last Wednes =
day no direct and positive orders have
come to Mr.. wit+s a. to his conduct Of
future exchanges. although the tone Of his
advioes from his Government Is all opposed
to any recession from the position which
he assumed. The Russians take the ground
that unless directions TO the contrary come
from st. Petersburg. they must adhere to
their refusal to consider Jspan's proposal
to sell Sakhalin Island.
THE RUSSIAN POSITION.
The following statement Of the situation
was obtained this evening from . high
and authori tauve Russian source:
:. when at the last sitting Baron Komura
proposed that Russia should buy the north
ern part Of the island Of sakhalin for 1900
900 900 Mr.. Witte fatty refused TO die
cuss the point. 1t was then proposed from
both sides that Baron. Komura and Mr.
Witte should each communicate with his
Government, putting before It the situation
TINT had been produced by Japan's pro
posal and Russia's rejection Of It. They
did 20. but the Russian epvoys have not
received an answer. It surmised that the
japanese have -alse net received aRAnsuort
because they have made proposal 70 post
pone the meeting Of to-morrow's conference
unit! o'clock Ia tho afternoon. From
-