The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-26
Russians Are Convinced That
the Conference Is a
Failure.
JAPS ARE MORE GUARDED.
Playing Tor Time In the Hope Of
Some Favorable Turn In
Affairs.

ENJOYS VIII Meet This Afternoon. but an
Adjournment Is Looked FOr-Japanese
Have Avoided Crises Before and May
Dose Again-Many Messages Received
by the Envoys-President Believed 10
BE in Communication With the Rus
sians-Wants sakhalin Oner Accepted.
PORTSMOUTH. N. H., Aug. 25.-There is
now practically no reason to believe that
the Portsmouth conference between the
ENJOYS OF Russia and Japan will result IN
a peace agreement. Everything that has
come to light tonight indicates that the
end u matter Of few days at most. Moth
ing has developed to afford the promise OF
q harmonious outcome.
From both sides the information is given.
frankly by the Russians, guardedly by the
Japanese. that each has said its final word.
Rumors that the Toxic Government has
adopted conciliatory attitude are entirely
without confirmation from sources OF
authority in Portsmouth.
That Is the situation as 1t appears this
evening after careful inquiry among those
who are acquainted with the views and in
tentions OF both the Japanese and the
Russian plenipotentiaries. Mr.. Witte makes
no secret OF his conviction that the end Is
near at hand Members Of the Japanese
mission are not 30 outspoken, but they give
tho impression that they have nothing
further to offer. They contend that their
last proposal, involving the sale to Russia
Of part OF SakhaNn Island, was intended to
be conoilistory and not In the nature OF an
ultimatum and that It = now for Russia
to make the next move.
But Russia has nothing more to say. Her
position remains the same as It was Last
Wednesday. when Mr.. Witte virtually re-
jected the Japanese proposal for a trade
OF with regard to sakhalin.
.The next formal meeting must be final.'
was the emphatic declaration made to-
night by tho highest source Of Russian
authority.
who knows1' answer the Japanese.
we arc here to mako peace. II possible
JAps PLAYING FOR TINE.
The conference may end tomorrow;
but it will probably 90 over until next week.
Regarding the negotiations Is failure, the
Russians are anxious to have things over
with as quickly as etiquette will permit.
and they were extremely anxious to con-
clude before tomorrow night. With this
In view Mr.. Witte proposed to-day that the
ENJOYS meet tomorrow morning at o O'Clock,
but the Japanese suggested that O'Clock In
the afternoon would b better hour, and
Mr.. Witte courteously compiled.
1t is the expectation OF Japanese repre-
sentatives, however, that an adjournment
will be. taken until Monday or Tuesday.
They are evidently playing for time, in the
hope that the Russians will acquire less
obstinate spirit.
There was period In the negotiations
when the Japanese were on the offensive
and the Russians in defensive attitude.
but now conditions have been reversed.
and it is the emissaries OF the Gar who
are standing firm, while the representa-
tives OF the Toxic Government are making
the effort to bring about oonciliatory
spirit
There we're reports late last night that
tho Russians had received instructions
from st. Petersburg that indicate . will
ingnees to make further CONCESSIONS but
fat denial was given to-day to these rumors
by one of the Russian ENJOYS.
Since the adjournment last Wednes-
day no direct and positive orders have
come to Mr. Witte as to his conduct Of
future exchanges, although the tone Of his
advices from his Government Is all opposed
to any recession from the position which
he assumed. The Russians take the ground
that unless directions to the contrary come
from St. Petersburg, they must adhere to
their refusal to consider Japan's proposal
20 sell Sakhalln Island.
THE RUSSIAN PosITIoN.
The following statement Of the situation
was obtained this evening from q high
and authorit atve Russian source:
"When at the last sitting Baron Komura
proposed that Russia should buy the north
ern part Of the island Of sekhsl!a for $780,
100000 Mr.. witts hatly refused to dis
cuss the point. 1t was thea proposed from
both sides that Baron Komura and Mr..
WHITE shapld sash eennp1Nn!sss .t:. With hts
Government, putting before IL the situation
that had been produced by Japan's pro-
posal and Russia's rejection Of II. They
did 80, but the Russian ENJOYS have not
received an answer. 1t Is surmised that the
japanese have also not received an answer,
because they have made . proposal to post
pone the meeting Of to-morow's conference
until 3 O'clock In the afternoon. From
this II b to b seen that Baron Komura and
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