The Washington times., 1905-08-12
Belief Strong that
Peace Will Prevail

- X
HOTEL WENTWORTH. NEW CAS-
TIE. N H. Aug. 12-Today, while the
Gar and all Russia are celebrating the
first anniversary of the birth of an heir
to the throne of the Romanoffs. and
with the nation still fresh from the
promised realization of the dream OF Il
national assembly. the Russian pleni-
potentiaries here viii present to Mr..
Eomura and his colleague their answer
tc the conditions OF peace Japan has
proposed. It Is known definitely that
this answer is not categoric. either af-
f1rmatively or negatively. 1t Is III the
form OF 4 counter proposition. and viii
contain nothing which in itself will
cause any rupture in the negotiations.
The news that the Russian reply would
be forthcoming so soon came as q gen.
erai surprise. The first view taken OF
the knowledge that Mr.. WitTe had for
warded the Japanese demands 10 the
Gar Il was argued that such a speedy
decision could only indicate an uneom-
ST. Petersburg government, and yester-
dav, and even early today members OF
the Russian suite had said thar the
lcnger the delay the better the pros
poets for peace.
More Hopeful View
q 4
is said semi officially that Mr.. Witte has
drawn up his answer without waiting
for further instructions from St. Peters
burg and without the delays incidental
10 cabling and the holding Of a special
session of the Cars ministers. This
view IS supported sttl further by the
nature OF the answer to be given. for
when Witte left St. Petersburg It IS GER
tain he already had a perfectly clear
idea of the proposition he was to offer
on his side. and his work since yester-
day mas simply been TO qualify il in the
light Of what he has learned from the
Japa anese as TO their demands.
Neither Is there any reason TO fear an
immediate rupture from the side OF the
Japanese In presenting her conditions.
Japan did not say they admitted of no
discussion. On the contrary when il
was proposed by Mr.. hOmura that each
clause in his proposed terms should be
discussed separately, he conveyed 8 dis
{iact lnIImation that he Was not the
bedfeF or take or leave ulumatun,
but was prepared 10 hold each and
every point open for argument.
Whether argument viii move him
much is question which, In view Of
the firm and consistent stand he took IN
the negotiations that preceded the war.
answer. but at least IL may be said that
no attempt IS likely 10 be made TO bully
Russia into an Immediate and unquaH-
he'd acceptance OF the terms
No Actual Basis Yet.
on the other hand little hope IS en-
tertained that any actual basis OF ne
gotations has alreaoy been reached.
In effect, though not In form, the Rus
sian reply IS expected 10 be distinctly
negative. The exact nature of the pro-
posals the Russians will make is still
unknown 20 anyone but themselves. for
ruHoF To the effect that they were
he FF<. fz+H 10 b
informal consideration Is denied by both
parties; but 1t is TOO much 10 hope
that they approach very closely those
put forward BY the Japanese
After the meeting, which is TO be held
IN the navy yard today, IL will rest
with the representatives OF the japanese
emperor 10 say how far they are will
ing 10 negotiate or in other words, 10
done the irreducible minimum The
best hope IS thai by proposal and coun-
ter proposal the gap that now separ-
atss the TWO parties gradually may be
bridged.
II is believed here that the necessity
u relmbursing Japan for the cost OF
the war viii not meet with such bitter
opposition from the Russians as had
peen looked for, especially If, as out
lined, Japan Is willing 10 place part OF
the Manchurian railway and SakhaHn
III tae nnanclal scales. Sakhalin is
likely 10 provoke = far more bitter
diplomatic fight than the mere money
question, but Jha fact, and il is fairly
safe 10 accept Il us q fact. that Japan
demands QHly the southern part or the
ManehurlaE railway. and viii leave the
main line 10 Fiadtvostok IN Russian
hands Is q piece OF moderation which
tIle Russians must welcome heartily. II
can only De taken 70 signify that Vladi-
ton in The conference. Russia hardly
would consent 20 give up Nladivostok
without fight, and with this danger
ous feature no longer threatening ths
air becomes considerably clearer.
Counting the Cost
One point should be added The report
that since receiving the Japanese terms
the Russian representatives mad been in
close communication with banking
houses ia Paris and Amsterdam, as well
with che Rothschtlds ia London was
denied officially and emphaJicaIly On
the other hand. il also vas said that
Whites principal adviser in the drafting
OF his answer has been M Pokatiloh.
who as director 9t the Russian Chinese
Bank. IS the chief financial adviser OF
the Russian plenipotcntiaFy. The in
ference Is that Witte. while anxious 10
avoid the impression that he Is willing
forthwith 10 accept the principle OF re-
1faburseIneHt.' is none the less actively
engaged IN counting the cost.
As has been the case ever since the
conference met. the Russians and their
symp4lhiZeFs are noticeably less hopeful
Of the situation than are the Japanese
Mr.. Witte was not seen in public TIL
about clock yesterday afternoon
when he went out for = ride in an auto
mobile with Baron Rosen. Both men
looked tired and anxious, and Il was Inn
possible 10 study their expression and
Imagine they felt themselves 10 be on
the eve OF a satisfactory solution OF
their troubles and dIfaculties,
Mr.. Witte always has sought to avoid
notice. but hitherto he never has failed
TO acknowledge the mild stir that ALWAYS
greets his appearance. Yesterday. as he
drove past the piazza of the hotel ais
eyes rested absent-mindedly for q mo-
faeDt on the buudred-Odd men and Wom-
en- who had been watching for him but
he instantly turned his head the other
way as though TOO discouraged 10 GO
through the ordeal OF cheerful ciyinty
Rosen Downcast.