New-York tribune., 1905-08-17
a Deadlock In Portsmouth Peace Conference Was
Narrowly Aveted
REAL CRISIS NOT YET REACHED.
Mnunan Railway Question Settled by Acceptance Of japanese Temsussans
Seeking to Gain friendship by Moderation

cause OF proximity bad predominatinG inter.
ests. Such declared this authority. was the
status Of Corsa when peace with China
concluded and she woud have remained in this
status except for the unwarauted imperiaIistic
ambitious Of Russia. The assertion that Japan
had virtually annexed Corea this authority pro
uounced ridiculous, adding that nothing IN the
present negotiations would or could operate TO
interfere with the small customs duties per
eent-whicn COrea was bound by treaty not 10
exceed on imports from Great Britain and the
United States, and. in fact, on the merchandise
Of every nation which enjoys the benefits OF
the most favored nation clause in its treaty
with Corea
The extrsva=a OF VI witte's ststempnt
was further Illustrated by the assertion that
Corea contained approximately one hundred
thousand square miles and Japan 141.5Oe square
miles, 50 that. even were Corea actually su-
nexed 10 Japan. and il is not. the claim that
Japan had increased her territory ''threefoId''
would be wholly without warrant
In closing this dispatch. which is intended
only as an accurate presentation of the stua-
ton in Portsmouth tonight it should be added
that the general opinion prevails that the con
ferrees will reach a deadlock this week and
gossip to the effect that NJ Witte hopes in thar
event TO sail for home on Tuesday next fnds
many believers.
One solution OF the apparently approaching
deadlock is still discussed. 1t is the suggestion
that Russia, emulating in some slight degree
the course of the United states with regard to
the Philippines, may seek 10 purchase Saghalieu
island for sum apprOximating the cost of the
war. Such course, it is pointed out. would
enable the Russian envoys 10 assert that they
had neither paid indemnity nor ceded territory.
while the Japanese envoys could return home
with an excellent equivalent for the indemnity
they have demanded such proposition would
afford ample grounds for cOncessions aud per-
haps a happy solution Of the deadlock which
may be adopted If both parties tn the confer
ence are sufficiently anxious for peace, although
there is no warrant Tor the assertion thay tI-
proposition has thus far been seriously coas.,I-
cred by the pIenipOtentiares ON either side
There has been current to-day uJmor of "a
coming engagement between Linevitch AMI
Oyama which. on being traced 10 its source.
appears 10 have emanated from Japanese quar-
ters. where it is mysteriousIy intimated that
approaching events i'm the Far East may MA
teriaIly affect the negotiations. This iutima-
ton does not come however. from either Of
the ENJOYS
Considerable doubt having arisen through a
discrepancy in published statements with re-
gard 10 the entertainment OF the Russian and
Japanese pIenipotentaries and their suites. The
Tribune's correspondent to-day asked Governor
McLane for statement OF the facts. and the
Governor explained the situation follows:
The pIenipoteutiaries and their suites are the
guests OF the State OF Hampshire When
/ conceived the idea that the State ought 10
extend its hospitality TO the ENJOYS. however.
the legislature was not In session, and there vas
no available appropriation from which TO de-
FRAY the expense. on learning this fact several
public spirttad citizens OF the State came to ms
and offered 20 guarantee the amount and 70
look 10 the state for TetTn burssIGsnL at
future time I accepted their offer, and thu
State was thus enabled TO play the part of host.
Among the citizens whO came 10 nv assistance
was Judge Page. who is the executor of the
Prank Jones estate. OF which the Wentworth
Hotel is a part and this fact probably gave
rise 10 reports that the hotel Itself was the host
OF the ENJOYS The invitation OF the State was
conveyed by me To the state Department and
accepted by the officials OF that department.
1t may be added that the ENJOYS are primarily
the guests Of the nation and that outside The
state OF Hampshire their expenses viii
be- betrayed nv the State Department from its
secret fund.