The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-27

EOWoEB~OASF CUAu W hSVo VhOheu
Half Of sakhalin Island and to Pay for
Keep Of Prisoners, but No Indemnity
-witte and Komura Talk Over Terms
After TRANSACTION Of Routine Business.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. 2o.-The vital
question Of whether there shall be peace
or war between Russia and Japan depends
for settlement mainly on the amount Of
influence President Roosevelt can bring
to bear upon the two belligereuts. He
does not hold the key to the situation, but
to him belongs the credit Of having pre-
vented q rupture Of the Portsmouth con-
ference which would mean resumption
Of the Far Eastern hostilities.
Had it not been for the strenuous en-
deavors of the President tho break would
have come to-day. As 1t was, there has been
an adjournment OF the conference until
Monday to give Mr.. Roosevelt the oppor-
tunity OF making further representations.
PRESIDENT SUGGESTS BASIS FOR PEACH.
There Is the highest authority for the
statement that the President has within the
last three or four days made q definite pro-
posal to both Russia and Japan to be used
as basis for the adjustment Of their differ
enoes. While the details Of this important
move on the Presidents part arc not dis
closed, 1t is admitted that 1t Is Of . character
30 entirely sane and reasonable that tho
Powers Of Europe would virtually Insist
upon it's acceptance BY the twd warning
nations II they knsw Of its character and
scoops.
:. But for the present Mr.. Roosevelt is
wotking entirely with Russia and Japan.
neither Of whom, however. b yet willing to
bring forward tbs Presidents plan Of sett'e-
ment, partly for tho reason that II u con-
trary to the basis upon which they have
been negotiating and partly because Il tho
details Of the matter became public, there
would be an immediate insistenoe on tho
part Of the neutral Powers that tho belliger-
ents get together in accordance with the
suggestions outlined from Oyster Bay.
The understanding obtained here with
regard to the Presidents proposition is
that it was made known to the respective
ENJOYS through their Governments. This
appears to account for the positive state
ments Of those in authority on the Russian
side that Mr.. Roosevelt confined his COM
munications to the plenipotentiaries to
general tender Of good offlces and did not
make any specific suggestions.
SITUATION FREELY DISCUSSED.
But whether the President In his direct
exchanges with the ENJOYS did or did not
make any specific propositions Is now q
matter OF no consequence In the knowl-
edge that plan prepared and indorsed
by him has been placed before Mr.. Witte
and Baron Komura and has received the
most serious consideration.
1t is a fact, however, that in the week
that has passed since President Roosevelt
had his interview at Oyster Bay with Baron
Rosen, Mr.. Whites colleague. tho President
has had q comprehensive correspondence
by telegraph and through the medium Of
special messengers with both Russian and
Japanese ENJOYS, In which every point Of
difference was discussed In tho minutest
detail in free and frank manner and In this
exchange Of views the President did not
hesitate to suggest what he regarded as
reasonable means for common understand
ing on the part Of the two belligerents.
PRESIDENT TALKS PLAINLY TO RUSSIANS.
In his communications to the Russians
setting forth his reason why there should
DO peaoe made at Portsmouth the Presi-
dent spoke plainly. He said with frank
ness that Russia had besa beaten; and
could gain nothing BY going on with the
war.
In the name of humanity he appealed for
peace and made II clear that he believed the
japanese were showing moderation which
Russia should meet half way BY asserting
to buy back territory formerly belonging
to Russia but now held by japanese troops.
What moro was said by the President.
particularly that part Of his proposal which
rs expected 10 m0oo Win THO approval
of the world. will probably be disclosed
shortly unless the belligerents manage to
mako up their differences and agree upon
the terms Of . peace treaty In the mean
time.
The Russians here arc not pleased over
the Presidents attitude. They hold that
he has gone to great lengths in an effort to
induce them to pay for the costs Of tho
war.
All the evidence now ct hand shows that
the President did not for moment aban-
BoenS honsepssAte LAx:savss ksen your nxsr
-A12 s,s - 1880 81