Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1905-08-30

Oyster Bay, L. l., Special.-The Car
and the Mikado are the determining
factors in the pending peace negotia-
tions. Although the negotiations tenn
porarily are suspended at Portsmouth,
they are proceeding actively through
President Roosevelt at Sycamore Hill.
He is in practically constant communi-
cation with the st. Petersburg and
Toxic governments. By both of the
warning nations his good offices have
been sought and his efforts to bring
their plenipotentiaries into accord and
thus prevent a failure of the peace
conference are unremitting.
Early IL the day the President had
an extended conference with Baron
Kanko. the recognized confidential
agent OF the Japanese government, in
this country.
Neither the President nor Baron
kaneka would discuss the nature of
the interview. While the baron's ex-
pressed views of the peace negotiations
were not optimistic, he left distinct
impression that the last word by no
means had been spoken, and that hope
OF successful issue OF the conference
was still strong. He protested that
Japan had no wish to do anything to
humiliate Russia. but expressed the
belief that the Japanese terms were
quite reasonable and that no further
concessions would be made.
After the departure OF Baron Kane
ko. President Roosevelt was engaged
with Acting Secretary Barnes for two
ours in the consideration of dispatches
be sent.
Portsmouth. n. H., Special.-The
-panese plenipotentiaries, at the con-
usion OF the afternoon session of the
ace conference, threw the cards upon
table. 1t was the dramatic moment
the moment to which all the previous
.oceedings of the conference had led
ne protocols involving agreement
BON eight OF the twelve conditions or
inally presented by the Japanese had
zen signed. One side or the other must
take move or the plenipotentiaries
.ad reached the parting of the ways
ne adversaries faced each other across
he table. OF course it was we'll under
God what would happen. but that. in a
ay. only made it more dramatic Fig
ratively. President Roosevelt suddenly
ntered the conference room
KOMURA OFFERS COMPROMISE.
Mr.. Witte sat silent. and the move
i the great diplomatic game passed
, Japan. Baron Komura. in a few
ords. explained that Japan in her
reat desire for peace, was ready TO
AXE certain notifications" of the
'iSinal articles in the hope that Rus
could find ii possible to accept them.
then presented in writing to Mr.
lite the compromise proposition
hich President Roosevelt had sug-
'sted. 1t was concrete and specific and
followed the lines outlined in these
spatches. 1t offered to withdraw ar
.cles .. providing for the payment by
.ussia of Japans bill for the cost OF
lr. on conditions that Russia would
cept article 5. which provides for the
ssion OF the Island of Sakhalin. so
.odiied as to include an arrangement
II the purchase by Russia of the
northern hale OF the island for 200
million yen. In addition il offered to
withdraw entirely articles IL and 10
surrender Of the nterned warships
and Limitation upon Russia's sea power
In the far EasD. 1t was President
Roosevelts compromise and Mr.. Witte
knew it's contents as we'll as Baron
Komura. The question of whether he
had been building was put to the
test.
PROMPT REFUSAL BY WITTE.
Without a moments hesitation. Mr..
Witte explained that the modification
proposed was merely n sham. a change
OF phraseology. a diplomatic attempt to
"dorer la Difule" and ask Russia to
pay war tribute under another name
He could not accept it. He told Baron
Komura Russia wanted peace She had
given the proofs in accepting every
article involving the issues upon which
the war was fought, but she could
fight, and money for tribute she would
not pay. not Il kopeck. He asked Baron
komura to withdraw all demands for
tribute. And so the plenipotentiaries
separated, to meet again on Saturday,
ostensibly TO permit Mr.. Witte to place
in writing, as the rules Of the cbp-
ference require, his reply to the Jap
anese compromise proposition. In real
ity, the adjournment ovbr two days
was 10 give each side m opportunity
to Consal, its government for the last
time.
CZAR APPEARS UNYIELDING.
The outlook is black-+many believe
1t was aever so black as now. The Japa-