Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-23

POftEmOuIn, Aug ZO.-EXCeSsiNe tension are the words which should be used to describe the situation be- fore the peace plenipotentiaries this morning. There were evidences ol excitement in both camps as the chiefs and attaches made their preparations for departure The summer guests 0f the hotel were as agitated as the for eigners and the crowds on the veranda to witness the departure were larger than any since the conference began it's sittings
 The Russians got away first, MT Witte, Baron Rosen and MT Nabol- koff, MT Witte's secretary, entering their motor car at exactly 9 o'clock. They appeared excessively gay, greet ing the crowd assembled to see them off with broad smiles and cheery good mornings" and the physiOgno- my readers instantly translated what they had seen as certain augury that peace would virtually be arranged to- day. To the more careful observers, however, the smiles of the Russians appeared forced and beneath the gay exterior there was all expression Of anxiety.
 Baron Komura, MT Takahira, Mir Sato and Mr Adashi appeared on the main veranda with faces composed and inscrutable as ever. They, too. smiled in response to the greetings oi their partisans, but there was no eH- cessive manifestation of exuberance They appeared to have girded theif Joins for serious business.
 The popular belief was that to-day would decide the issue. but the Ass0- ciated Press had what 1t considered certain warrant for the statement that such would not be the case. Were It to % to complete showdown Of hands a rupture was certain, as the long cablegram of instructions which Mir Witte received from his govern ment last night would not permit him to accept the compromise which 1t was understood Japan was prepared to or fer this morning, as result or the presidents heroic endeavors to save the conference.
 The rumor telegraphed to the Asso. ciated Press after midnight was con firmed this morning, but it requires an important explanatory statement. The cablegram from St Petersburg was sent before Mir Witte had communi- cated to the emperor the contents o; the communication from PresideR, Roosevelt delivered to him yesterday afternoon at the navy yard. So that was not necessarily to be accepted as the emperor's last word and Mir Witte. who there Is reason to believe Is per eonally in sympathy with the compro- mise suggested. went 10 the confer. ence prepared to spar for time" IL was believed that at the conclusion c' the sitting to-day an adjournment would be taken over tomorrow upoh some pretext or other in order to glv. Mir Witte an opportunity to hear fur. ther from his government. A high Russian authority summed up the sit uation this morning with tine words: ''There is still hope.'
 Almost to man the members or the Russian mission would personally favor the compromise suggested by the president In their opinion il of fers an honorable road to peace. But they are powerless if the emperor and his advisers stand firm. The Russians realize that the turn events have taken will put their country in difficult po- sition if a rupture comes now. Japan will stand before the world as not i'm placable but ready to accept comprO- mise on the two main issues by the arrangement" to practically yield. in whole or in part. article five (cession of Sakhalinl. while obtaining In sub stance If not in form article nine tre- muneration for the cost of the war) Should Russia refuse this solution which will enable her to maintain quite correctly that she ceded neither territory nor paid war tribute they be- lieve nothing can prevent the worlds verdict from being against them.
 They say that. in effect. it only ln- wolves the recognition by Russia of an accomplished fact Cthe military occu- patton of Sakhalinl and an equal re- cognition of the practical impossibility of Russia accompanying 1t with her navy at the bottom of the sea. The Japanese seem keenly alive to the ad- vantage of their position. Should Rus sin eventually decline the compromise they say they do not believe she can escape the responsibility for the fall ure of the negotiations. Tt will be diplomatic Tsushima for Russia" said one of them this morning.
 Articles 10 GnterRed warships, and ii nimitation of Russia's naval power fin the far east can be easily arrang- cd. They were never serious ob- stacles- Japan is believed only to have placed them in the list of conditions 10 give away fin the final bargain. but even Russia would not prove obdurate. certainly not on 10 if five and nine were adjustable.
 It was the general understanding before the conference met this morn ing that Baron Komura would suggest tbe compromise. but the fact that Mir witte was not prepared to make ii- nal response might lead to a change of program. Diplomatic maneuvering might be the order of the day and the question of signing the protocols. which was the official business before the meeting. might be employed 10 SC cure the necessary delay. IT should be understood that the presidents sug- rested line of compromise will not ap- pear officially before the conference. What he has done has been done in fact behind the scenes. He has la- tsore,i with each side separately. He has secured the acquiescence of Japan and according to the general under standing officially his solution would te offered in the conference ss the proposition of Japan
 Should Japan formally propose the compromise Nr Witte can only ask for tine to deliberate. that is. to consult his government for the last time. He will give m absolute final answer to- fs~