The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-25
COUNCILLORS ARE MADE MERE CLERKS All Depends on August Man
 Who Wears Crown ROOSEVELT IS PERSISTENT Russian Correspondent of slavo Wires Ills Paper That He Is Not optlm-
 lstc-Japs Clever In
 Diplomacy.

Portsmouth, N. H.. August 3.-Alexan- dre N Bryant Chaninoff. special eorre- spondent of the St. Petersburg Slovo, tele- graphs his paper tonight;
 After the extreme optimism caused by the news of President Roosevelts active intervention a reaction was natural. However, it's importance must not be exaggerated and whoever knows the te- nacious character of the head of tho great and energetic republic will not doubt that the President, once in the game. will not surrender as often to the reason able but always too humble advisers of the Czar.
 instructions More conoillatory.
 Tt seems certain that when the Russian chief plenipotentiary left St. Petersburg. and even Paris, tho instructions which limited and circumscribed his action were more oonciliatory than the intransigeant policy which has now been forced upon him from St. Petersburg. I am even tempted to suppose that the original in- structions would have allowed our reps resentatyes to enter negotiations regard ing the delicate but vital questions pre- scented now by Japan without having to apply to st. Petersburg The Japanese, as clever In diplomacy as they are on the battlefield, in proposing compromise upon sakhalin. made very able move. They practically argue thus
 Russia will not admit the principle of war indemnity; well. we will not speak of it. Russia will not reimburse us for the cost of the war well, we will withdraw that condition. Russia will not cede territory; well, we will meet that desire. But Russia, they add. cannot deny the rights which we have obtained by force of arms to the territory of the island
 Must Be Recovered by Force.
 So no matter what victories might eventually be won in Manchuria, Sakhalin could not be recovered except by force. If Russia wants lSakhalin, now Japan is entitled to tell us to pay her for It. Rus sa answers that the amount is a war indemnity in disguise. In fixing the sum the Japanese, add that 1t Is the cost of the island which Russia can take or leave. To thls MT. Roosevelt adds:
 "'The questions of honor having been put aside would you not submit to tho judgment of impartial persons the ques- ton of the price.
 1no dTDlteIS COulu Dt CDOScu Dy lnb two countries and they could fix the values. Thus further bloodshed would be averted. It Is not possible to understand how Russia, who always believed in tho justice of her cause, should answer with a non-possums feigning a question of honor where in reality 1t was merely a question of money. It is therefore not to be imagined that the government at St. Petersburg will be blind in its obstl- macy or the Emperor. the author of the Hague tribunal, will let pass such an sx- ct llent opportunity to add new glory to the idea of arbitration which Is 50 dear to him. However l must confess | that l am not optimistic.
 At the supreme moment all tho coun- | cillors of the throne are transformed into | clerks waiting for orders. and the whole | responsibility rests upon the august man who wears the crown of his ancestors. ! May God advise and. aid the Tsar."