Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-08-29
New Basis Of Compromise
Will Be Presented, Today.
Believed That Mikado'S Conces-
SionS Will Result in Peace.

Portsmouth, n. H., Aug. 2S.-Tomor-
row morning. Baron Komura. acting
upon Instructions received from Toxic
as result of todays meeting of the
cabinet and "el1er statesmen" under
the direct presidency of the Mikado,
Will submit to NJ. Witte a new basis
Of compromise. And that compromise
it is firmly believed. tonight, will in
sure peace.
The revelation contained in The AS
sociated Press exclusive announcement,
today, that Japan had already informed
Emperor Nicholas through Ambassador
Meyer that Japan was ready to waive
the question of indemnity and submit
the price to be paid for the northern
half of Sakhalin to the judgment of a
mixed commission. but prepared the
way for Japan's backdown upon the
main issue.
The announcement had been the SEN
sation of the day. II was declared to
be impossible, incredible. The Japan
ese declined to admit it the Russians
said they had no confirmation. NJ.
Witte intimated strongly that Peters,
burg had not apprised him of any such
action by the President. There was
even disposition to ridicule the idea
of arbitrating the price of half of the
island
Nevertheless, on all hands it was ad-
mitted If Japan took this position the
ground was cut out from under En-
peror Nicholas. Nj. Witte, by cCnsum-
mate skill in conceding all the demands
of Japan, involving the real issue of
the war, had maneuvTed his adyersa-
ries into 4 position where unless they
abandoned the claim for indemnity
they could be held responsible for con-
tinuing the war for money. The Jap
aneSe by now foregoing the demand for
indemnity practically turn the tables
upon the Russians and shift the bur-
den back 10 her shoulders if she does
not consent to submit minor issue
TO the impartial Judgment of a tribunal.
NJ. Witte publicly dissents vigorously
from the proposition and there will still
be a struggle with Peterhof. but if
Japan. tomorrow, agrees to formally
renoLnCc all claim for direct or indi-
rect compensation for the expenses OF
the war, the big stumbling block to
peace is out of the way Everything
will depend upon the form in which the
IioIoS'Ai ID SuDHlllltt SHOUT Tue re-
nunciation be so coupled with the 9TH
er proposition that Russia could claim
it was still only disguised demand
for tribute the gulf might only be mar
rowed not bridged.
All the private advices that reach
the Russian mission from St. Peters
burg indicate that the military party
is bellicose. insistent that Linevitch be
given chance and active in its insist
encc that negotiations be broken off.
Even NJ. Witte feels the pressure of
this sentiment and as a man of ambi- |
ti"n, he may not feel that he can af- |
ford to lay himself open to the charge |
that he is temporizing with the situa- |
ton. He has power under his inStruc- |
tons TO reject out of hand any propo- |
sition involving the payment of Il ko- |
peck Of tribute. He need not consult |
his imperial master. He is a man of
inspiration and he is quite capable, if |
the japanese proposition, tomorrow,
savors still of "Blood money" to re-
fuse even to accept it for reference to
st. Petersburg.
But such n reckless stroke is not eX-
pected. NJ. Witte knows that the pub
lie opinion both in America and Eu-
rope as well as Russia would condemn