Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27
CRISIS T|OED OVER
Peace Still Hangs Heavily in
Balance.
NOT AT ALL ASSURED
CHANCES ARE FOR FAVORABLE
OUTCOME, HOWEVER.
Komura to Submit a New PROPOSE
ton at the Meeting on
Monday.
NOT AT ALL ASSURED

PORTSMOUTH. N. H., August 26.-As In
dicated In these dispatches last night, there
was no rupture in the peace negotiations to-
day. Peace Is by no means assured but
an important crisis has been tided over and
the fact that the life of the conference has
been prolonged into next week adds ma
terially TO the chances of a favorable is
sue.
According to the Russian version it was
Japan and not Russia which weakened this
afternoon. NJ. Witte publicly announced
after the sitting that 1t was Baron ko-
mura who asked for an adjournment until
Monday In order to have time to submit
new proposition. Yet 1t is known that NJ
Witte has received instructions, sent after
the Presidents intercession at Peterhof
through Ambassador Meyer, to agree to the
division of Saghalin and to permit liberal
compensation for the Russian prisoners OF
war and the cesson OF the Chinese East
ern railroad but TO continue absolutely the
refusal to pay war tribute under any
guise.
This was described as Russias ultima
tum" leaving open the same old question
of money as the stumbling block to
agreement
That Secret Conference.
In the regular course of procedure after
the presentation of the Japanese compro-
mise proposition on Wednesday, the dplo-
matte move passed to Russia, and 1t was
NJ. Whites turn naturally to present the
counter proposition Of his government. If
he succeeded, as is intimated, in withhold
ing his card and forcing the Japanese to
play again, he undoubtedly gained point
in the game. But no adequate account of
the proceedings at today's meeting Is forth
coming. The penipotentlaries by agree
ment excluded the secretaries. There were
no minutes There is no record This, in
itself Is extremely significant. When men
who are fighting a desperate battle lock
themselves in a room alone 1t is the best
evidence that they are terribly in earnest.
II is regarded as a hopeful sign.
All that is formally announced is that the
minutes of the last session were approved
and upon Baron Komura's motion the con-
ference adjourned until Monday at 3 O'clock
But whether or not the counter proposition
of Russia was submitted at this after
Moons session. 1t seems to be up to Japan
TO formally renounce her demand for the
"frais de guerre," and try to obtain a par
tial recompense in another way-for in
stance. by bona fde sale of the northern
half of Sakhalin. The response Of Emper-
or Nicholas to Mr.. Meyer and his instruc-
tions to NJ. Witte are remarked as his last
word. 80 far as indemnity is concerned.
Compromise by which Japan can secure a
comparatively moderate sum of money is
still open.
Gulf Still Wide.
But the gulf to be spanned is still wide
between the two adversares. Russia now
is willing TO divide Sakhalin. Japan on
Wednesday claimed the entire island by
right of occupation. offering only to sell
back the northern half at the price of the
cost of the war" And 1t should be borne
In mind that the elimination of articles II
and IL Surrender of Russia's interned war
ships and limitation of Russia's sea powerJ
was conditional upon her acceptance of this
proposition. Baron Komura and Mr.. Taxa
hira want time TO consult their governmen,
before agreeing to yield further. The mos,
competent Japanese authority said tonight;
The question of peace or war still hangs
in the balarc re-.
For the first time there appears to be
some dissension in the japanese camp as tC
the advisability of making another concilia-
tory step. Many of the attaches are strong
ly OF the opinion that they should not re-
cedc another inch. The most prominent OF
them said tonight to the Associated Press:
I'VE only offered one-half of Sakhalin
uIon condition that we should receive for
l. the price we fixed. The island is ours
by right of conquest. If Russia imagines
we will give up half of II for nothing she
is much mistaken. Our answer should be
Come and take It 4"
All Want Peace.
The main hope of peace rests, as befor,
Z upon the fact that both sides are at hear,
sincerely anxious to end the war; that al
the principles involved in the quarrel have
been settled in favor of the victor, and thai
with each days prolongation of the aego-
tiations the pressure on both sides will in
crease not to allow a mere question OF
money to stand between them. The medium
of communication between Baron Kaneko
who is acting for Japan In the pour parlers
with the President. and the japanese plen-
ipotentaries has been discovered 1t is
Mr.. Uchda. the japanese consul general al
New York. After Baron kanekos visit to
Oyster Bay yesterday long account OF
the interview was transmitted by teiegra pf
In cipher to Baron Komura by Mr. Uchida
The Presidents Appeal.
In an authoritative quarter it is learned
tonight that the latest suggestions of.
fered to the emperors of the two warning
powers to an amicable adjustment OF
their differences were Also communicated
simultaneously to the ENJOYS of Russia
and Japan. This action on the part OF
the President was taken in order that nc
possible ground for ofrense could be taken
by the plenipotentiaries because of his
direct appeal to their emperors While
the terms suggested by the President are
not disclosed. 1t is known that the,
were framed on broad humanitarian lines
and in the interest of the most enlight-
ened civilization. 1t is permissible to say
III the words OF the authority referred to
IF the civilized world could know at this
time the precise nature of the propositions
made to Russia and Japan by President
Roosevelt. II would seem that the force OF
public opinion, of the great neutral opinion
OF the world. would induce the plenipoten-
tiaries and their governments to pause anC
consider seriously the results, before break
ing Off finally the present conference with
out an agreement Indeed they might
scarcely dare in the face of the world !
CONTINUED on Second Page)