The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-25


Have Some New Proposal to Make
-Roosevelrs Enthusiasm Almost the
Only Hopeful Feature Of the Situation
-witte Says Landlords Declaration
IL Nearly in Line With the stand the
ENJOYS Have Maintained That Ma
Indemnity Could He Paid-Outsiders
Believe Conference VIII Not Fail
without Another Effort at Harm ony'
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. 24.-It Is ap-
parent tonight that the prospects Of peace
are waning. Not that there have been any
significant developments at Portsmouth
but since the gloomy even ts OF yesterday
the belief has grown that the Russians are
absolutely determined not to accept the
compromise proposal Of the Japanese.
Mr.. Witte has been away most Of the day
He went to Magnolia Mass, this morning
with Baron Rosen, and did not return until
late this evening. When he reached his
quarters at the Wentworth, he found await
ing him some important communications
from President Roosevelt.
The President is steadfastly working
in the interests of peace and he has not
minced words in his communications to
the Russian ENJOYS with reference to the
necessity OF harmonizing the differences
that exist between them and the Japanese,
While observing all the proprieties that
should surround his position as a neutral
the President Is urging upon Russia's
representatives his opinion that the In
tereets Of both Russia and Japan dema nd
that peace shall result from the present
exchanges, and the earnestnees which he
has shown and is showing has not failed to
impress the Cars emissaries.
ALL PRESSURE PLACED ON RUSSIA.
The strangeet thing In this whole I'M
certain situation is that Mr.. Roosevelt
appears to be working entirely with the
Russians. Nothing has yet appeared to
prove that he Is using upon the Japanese
ENJOYS the same degree Of influence that
he has brought to bear upon the Russians,
or, for that matter, that he has attempted
to bring Baron Komura and Mr.. Takahira
to see that unless they granted more sub
stantial concessions to the Russians the
latter would refuse to treat any further.
From Japanese sources 1t Is learned
that Baron Komura and Mr.. Takahira,
who are in close communication with the
Government at Toxic, are not prepared
to offer any other solution Of the existing
situation than was put forward In their
proposition at yesterdays sessions, the
proposal to return q portion Of Sakhalin
Island in return for the payment Of heavy
cash indemnity.
SAY THEY HAVE GONE THE LIMIT.
The Japanese hold that they have gone
to the limit OF concession and that Il Is for
Russia to say whether the negotiations
shall result in success or failure According
to their point Of view, as it is explained this
evening" the conference cannot extend
beyond Saturday, when the plenipotentlaries
will meet again, unless Mr.. Witte and Baron
Rosen bring forward new proposals with
reference to a settlement or show q dis
position to discuss In an amioable manner
the offer of the Japanese to return part Of
Sakhalin to Russia in return for heavy
monetary consideration.
But the Russians say that they have
said their last word. They are compliant
in the belief that they have gone as far as
honor and pride will permit. According
to their way Of looking at things, the Japan
csc must make the next move.
Unless one understands the peculiarities
OF the Russian character II Is impossible
to realize how much this virtual indifference
to the outcome affects the situation. It
is not to be supposed that Mr.. White and
Baron Rosen fail to appreciate the great
danger that oonfronts their country In q
continuation OF the war, but they are i'm.
bued thoroughly with the belief that Rus
sia's interests demand that not cent Of
tribute shall be paid to the victorious
enemy.
Mr.. White made 1t plain yesterday that
no refused to be blinded as to the real
meaning Of the Japanese proposal 70 re-
turn a portion Of Sakhalin Island for cash
payment. Any remuneration to Japan, in
whatever guise, Is regarded by the Russians
a. being the same as punitive indemnity,
and neither Mr.. Witte nor Baron Rosen Is
willing to pledge their Government to pay
a single penny to the victors.
LAMspoRTF's WORDS CAUSE SENSATION.
Something OF q sensation was caused
here late this afternoon by the receipt
Of tho news that Count Lamsdorf,. the
Russian Minister Of Foreign Affairs. had
as,thesised the tetssasns thas Russia would