Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-16

SIMMER girls. danced and played
bridge. but the arrival of the various
editions Of the newspapers was as
usual the signal for rush to the news
counter and then they would retire TO
y uuiet corner to learn news about the
negotiations which they hesitate to eX-
tract from their respective chiefs.
The secretaries of the two missions
found the sea rather rough as they came
back from the navy yard in launches
this afternoon, and most OF them wore
oyercOats.
II is unlikely that, tomorrow, the after
noon session will adjourn rather earlier
than for the past few days unless the
discussion should be unexpectedly pro-
longed. 1t is the present plan to have no
meeting, next Sunday, not SO much be-
cause of the wish of the plenipotentiaries
TO respect the New England Sunday but
because after two sittings daily the en-
voys are very glad to have a day of rest.
Portsmouth, y. H., Aug. 15.-The peace
plenipotentialies at the morning session
entered upon the consideration of article
4. which relates 10 the Liaotung PENN
Sula and the surrender of the Russian
leases. AS the cession Of Sakhalin fol-
lows as the fifth article, the natural de-
duction would be that today would wit
ness the first real collision and the pos
sible deadlock. But it appeared more
likely that. when reached, the question
of the cession of the island, upon which
neither side is now prepared to yield,
would. by mutual agreement, be post
cone each side will maneuver to place
the responsibility upon the other and for
that reason it can be regarded as prac-
ideally certain that neither will insist at
this juncture upon precipitatng Il situ-
alton which will decide Hhis issue.
The plan pursued is almost certain to
be TO pass over the disputed articles and
see how far an agreement is possible
then to return and attack the other
statements. This is the logical and gen.
eral method of diplomacy. 1t has the
great advantage of bringing the pleni-
potentia rieS to Impeachment on ev-
cry possible point and clearly defining the
points of divergence, narrowing the is
sues which divide the negotiations to the
lowest possible limits.
If. for instance. the disputed points
were reduced. as it is considered certain
they will eventually be- to two, the pleni-
potentiarie would be enabled to bargain
or compromise. to offer proposition and
counter proposition and then in the end.
if agreement was impossible, the world
would know and be able TO form its
Judgment of the merits If the respective
contentious and locate TIE blame for the
prolongarion of the carnage in the Far
East.
The very fact that the world will be
enabled to apportion the responsibility
for a rupture, that the two countries are
on Il trial before the Public opinion Of
| the world, in the final analysis consti-
| tutes The main hope Of an eventual sue
| cessful outcome.
Article ;. which was agreed to, yes
terday it develops. today was incor-
rectly stated to he the cession of the
| Chinese Eastern Railroad. That article
| comes later. The third article pertaiued
| to the restoration of the Chinese admin
:stra ton in the province of Manchuria
and was a necessary and natural Sc
| quence to Article ,, providing for mutual
| evacuation and mutual recognition Of
| Chinese territorial integrity and the
| open door" policy for which American
| diplomacy has fought. The mistake was
| due to the fact that the railroad ques-
| tion involved generally in the question
| Of the restoration of Chinese admins
| tration in Manchuria. was touched.
| The change in ne weather. from glori-
| Gus sunshine to a cneerles. cold. drizzling
| rain. which turned the waters of the bay
| from sapphire TO 4 dirty grey, hlotted
| ont the horizon and generally blurred
| the landscape, seemed to again have a
! visible effect on the spirits ~ those who
are here watching the proceedings, and
| III. hopes of the optimistic seemed to be
| chilled while the pessimism grew more
| pessimistlc than ever.
| The pIenipotentiarieS and their scCr'-
| taries leaving the hotel in the rain. Wit
| messed by the summer guests this time
| not from the v-randa but through the
| dripping panes seemed discOuraging. In
reality. however. ii there was any rca
| son for a change in sentiment regarding
| the situation 1t should have been. so far
as surface indications go, to increase
| rather than diminish hope. Every day
| gained is something and when the great
| test comes all the worlTs influence for
peace will undoubtedly be concentrated
| 10 compel one or both sides to give way.
When the plenipot ntiaries again faced
| each other, this morning. the first bust
| ness. before taking ur Article 4. was rhe
reading and signing of the protocols of
yesterdays proceedings. including the
| draft of the three articles agreed upon
| and the minutes If the discussion. The
| Associated Press is now abe TO state
| authoritatively from both sides that the
| j. articles" constitute the bases" of
| the treaty of Washington If one is ever
| signed. ard do not necessarily constitute
the final text, which is subject to re-
| vision.
The Associated Press is informed that.
while covering the surrender of the lease
| of Liaotung peninsula and the Blonde
and Elliott islands. which are included
| in the lease held and does not touch Port
| Arthur and Dalny. which are covered
| in a separate article. Japan. it is under
| stood insists. at least for the preent.
| upon the occupation of these two points
| The question of Russian government and
private property will probably he dealt
with. by mixed commissions as is GUS