The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-29

Portsmouth, n. H, August 25.-The
peace conference seems headed
straight for the rocks. Despite the
fact that every question of principle
involved in the quarrel between the
two countries has been settled in favor
of the victor and that in reality only
words and money still separate
them. the negotiations seem on the
verge Of a final rupture. The air was
filled tonight with gloomy f~orebodinss,
and specifically everything indicate
that tOmOrrOw's session of the confer
ence will prove the ''seance d'adieu."
In the most positive fashion it is de-
clared that no new instructions had
reached Mr.. Witte up to this evening
which would permit him to entertain
the consideration of the compromise
proposition submitted by Baron 10
mura OH Wednesday and therefore un-
less Japan has a new proposal to make
tomorrow all that seems to remain is
for the plenipOtentiaries to meet, sign
Il declaration that the conference has
completed its labOrS, shake hands and
part as enemies, o as friends. But
there are still unknown factors in the
situation which in a tWinkling might
change the situation. The result of
President ROOSeVelt'S second appeal dl-
rect TO Emperor Nicholas has not trans
pired, and the result of the pressure
on Japan to alter the form of her-pro-
pOSal by the elimination of purchase
price of the northern half of Sakhalin
is not known. The press dispatches
from Toxic and st. Petersburg, read
with the most intense interest here, i'll
dictate an intranSignant attitude on the
part of both governments. Yet both
are anxious for peace II only words
and money" bar the path. Probably it
is not Il matter of more than $200,0OO,-
600 Yet the Japanese cling dOggedly
to their demands. Their people at
home insist upon it. The most compe-
tent japanese authority, who did not
conceal his pessimism, when asked to-
night whether for the sake of peace
Japan would yield further replied:
Read the dispatches from Toxic and
draw your own conclusions"
Nevertheless there is warrant for the
statement that things are not as i'm
placable as they appear and from con-
verSatiOn had by the Associated Press
tonight the distinct impression was
gathered that they would scale their
money demand and use any formula"
which would be acceptable to Russia.
1t is not believed they propose to let
the conference end tomorrow.
On the Russian side all pretense of
claiming that Mr.. Witte is any longer
negotiating has been abandoned. He
has zone to the furthermost limit of
his imperial masters orders. More, he
cannot do, sincerely as he personally
may desire to bring the negotiations to
a successful conclusion.
Shortly before midnight Mr.. White
gave absolutely no gment to
the idea that there would be a change
of heart at st. Petersburg. Unless
Toxic was ready to recede further he
expressed the opinion that all vas
over. He used the following words to
the Associated Press:
II have received no telegram from
ST. Petersburg which changes the sit
uation. Indeed | do not expect any.
I have not asked instructions, so that
/ cannot receive any. If tomorrow
there is to be a change it must come
from the Japanese side"
This would seem to indicate that the
Presidents second effort had failed at
ST. Petersburg. What, if anything, he
has been able to do at Toxic, through
his interview with Baron n to-
day, still remains a mystery. That
the last word has not come from To-
kio and that Baron K0mura may still