The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-20
RUSSIA WON'T YIELD.
St. Petersburg Correspondent Thinks
 All Cards Are Played.

St. Petersburg Correspondent Thinks
 All Cards Are Played.
 St. Petersburg. Aug, 19--4-s the time approaches for the playing of the last cards at Portsmouth there is mant- fested here among certain high off, cials and by the press and the public the unmistakable conviction that Rus- sia will not yield on the points of pay- ing an indemnity, as such, or of abso- lutely ceding Sakhalin to the Japa- nese.
 The Associated Press can state au- thoritatively that Emperor Nicholas, the day previous to the announcement firmly resolved that he would not &C., cede to the Japanese demand on either of these points and furthermore that the reception by the people of the as- sembly project has done much to strengthen him in that resolution It is felt that the question of the trans fer to Japan of all interned war ships and the limitation of Russia's force in the Pacific will be crucial points in the final settlement. They are regard ed as terms inserted in the demands by the Japanese for the purpose of humiliating Russia before the world and for no very serious purpose of negotiation. They are also roundly declared to be unacceptable. but are not
 
 two unsettled questions. Today as at the beginning of the Portsmouth nego- tiations, the conditions relative to the cession of Sakhalin and indemnity are universally declared to be impossible of acceptance. The emperor has re- ceived further addresses from the country begging him to neither cede territory nor pay indemnity and ex- pressing the readiness of the senders n mako further 1aorifYpea if In the emperor's known state of mind the statements certainly have their ef- feet.
 Two things were particularly notice- able today. One was the determine ton not to pay indemnity as such or to cede Sakhalin absolutely; the other was the fact that the promulgation of the national assembly as this time was q clever and able move that has done more to make an issue Of the war. its continuance or the signing of peace treaty at Portsmouth question of the people than has any other event since the beginning of hostilities.
 The calling into being of the assem- bly, is a new factor In the situation If peace does not result from the Ports mouth negotiations. the war bids fair to be a national one, supported by a popular sentiment, serving in a great measure to unite the distracted coun- try on national and popular issues. The war Is to be carried on in future by the people instead of being war in which the hearts and interests of the people do not enter.
 The promulgation of the National As sembly, coupled with the ten days con- sideration, Study and discussion of the Japanese terms. have given the first evidences of what may become a wave of more or less popular feeling. The actuality of the National Assembly has increased among the people their per- sonal interest in the Japanese demands and has resulted In strong expressions from practically all classes of society, especially extreme radicals that the Russian people should not pay an in demnity nor cede Sakhalin. An im- mense majority of the Russia people do not recognize the Japanese as victors, and argue that Russia already has con- ceded Japan even more than she de- manded at the outbreak of the war, and declare that the payment now of an in- demnity as such. would spell political death for Russia. It can be stated au- thoritatively that the United States is not attempting to exercise Influence on Russia through St. Petersburg.