The Colorado statesman., 1905-08-26
RUSSIA STANDS FIRM
PROPOSED CONFERENCE FAILS
President RooseveIt's Suggestion FIatly
Refused by Russian PIenipo-
entiaries-Another Ad-
journment
journment.

Portsmouth, n. H., Aug. 24.-The
Japanese plenipotentiaries, at the con.
-clusion of the afternoon session yester-
day of tie peace conference. threw the
cards upon the table. 1t was the dra-
matte moment-the moment to which
all the previous proceedings OF the
conference had led. The protocols in
volving agreement upon eight of the
twelve conditions originally presented
by Japan had been signed. One side
or the other must make move, or the
plenipotentiaries had reached the part
ing of the ways.
The adversaries faced each other
across the table. OF course, it was
well understood what would happen,
but that in way only made it more
dramatic figuratively, President
Roosevelt suddenly entered the confer
ence room. NJ. Witte sat silent, and the
move in the great diplomatic game
passed to Japan.
Baron Kamura in few words ex-
planned that Japan in her great desire
for peace was ready to make certain
notifications" of the original articles,
in the hope that Russia could find it
possible to accept them. He then pre-
sented in writing to NJ. Witte the COM
promise proposition which President
Roosevelt had suggested. 1t was con-
crete and specific, and it fol-
lowed the outlines in these
dispatches. 1t offered to with
draw article 8, providing for
the payment by Russia of Japan's bill
for the cost of war, on condition that
Russia would accept article 5, which
provides for the cession of the island
of Saghalien, so modified as to include
an arrangement for the repurchase by
Russia of the northern half of the is
land for 1,200, 100000 yen. In addition,
it offered to withdraw entirely
articles IL and IL Surrender
of the interned warships and
limitation upon Russia's sea power
in the far East). 1t was President
Roosevelt's compromise, and M. Witte
knew its contents as well as Baron Ko-
mura. The question of whether he was
"bluffing" was put to the test. With
out moments hesitation M. Witte ex-
planned that the modification proposed
was merely a sham, a change of
phraseology, diplomatic attempt to
"dorer la pilule" and ask Russia to
pay war tribute under another name.
He could not accept it.
He told Baron Komura Russia
wanted peace. She has given the
proofs in accepting every article in
volving the issues upon which the war
was fought, but she could fight, and
money for tribute she would not pay,
not kopeck. He asked Baron Ko-
mura to withdraw all demands for
tribute.
And so the plenipotentiaries separ-
ated, to meet again Saturday, ostensi-
bly, to permit M. Witte to place in
writing, as the rules of the conference
require, his reply to the Japanese COM
promise proposition.
In reality the adjournment over the
two days was to give each side an op-
portunity to consult its government
for the last time.
The outlook is black. Many believe
1t was never SO black as now. The
Japanese are not talking. Indeed, they
appear tc be more taciturn and more
resolute than ever. The only possible
line Of further Japanese concession is
considered to lie in the diminution of
the amount of the purchase money de-
manded for the north half of Sagha-
lien.
The decision rests, therefore, as it
has from the first, with Russia. Un-
less the emperor agrees to yield be-
tween now and Saturday, the end is
likely to come that day.