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

the President did not for moment aban-
don his efforts to clear away the obstacles
that threatened the success OF the Ports
mouth conference.
THE ENJOYS HESITATE.
It is the great respect for his opinion and
his enthusiastic endeavor to bring about
peace that has caused the ENJOYS, with the
approval Of the powers that be at Toxic
and st. Petersburg, to hesitate in taking
the deciding step toward continuance
OF the war. The Russian and Japanese
Governments were actuated also in this
conservative course by a realization Of the
condemnation which they would risk from
the civilized world il they rejected the plan
which the President Is now urging with
all his might and main. Had it not been for
the influence OF the President the Ports
mouth conference would have ended to-day
and the war would have gone on.
To their high regard for Mr.. Roosevelt
and their desire to show appreciation for
the friendship of the United States must be
attributed the conciliatory spirit which
has been shown by the Japanese in offering
to sell back the northern part Of Sakhalin
Island to the Russians for an amount APP
proximating $500, 1000. The President
was greatly pleased over this action OF
the Toxic Government and has not hes
itated to say 80 to the Russians, as was
indicated in the Portsmouth dispatches
printed In THE Sun this morning, He
spoke Of the Japanese proposal as "mod
crate" this being the exact word used,
and showed that he believed it should he
accepted
A RUSSIAN OFFER.
Since then he has devoted his efforts
almost entirely to an attempt to bring
the Russians to make concessions, and
the influence which he is welding was
demonst rated again to-day through the
suggestion by the Cars representatives
of willingness on their part to cede the
entire island Of Sakhalin to Japan if the
latter Government would waive all claim
to indemnity. 1t cannot he said that this
counter proposal to the Japanese sugges-
ton with regard to the purchase OF
Sakhalin was offered officially. The I'M
Outstanding is that lit was made known
to the Japanese plenipotentiaries."
wIrrE AND KoMURA HAVE A TALK.
To-day's formal conference was de-
voted almost entirely to perfecting the
protocols that had not been compared
and signed at the last meeting of the en-
voys, but afterward Mr.. Witte and Baron
Komura had private conversation at
which no others were present except the
interpreters. Even Baron Rosen and Mr..
Takahira did not attend.
The Russian and the Japanese ENJOYS
met at O'Clock this afternoon, after
recess since Wednesday. On that day
Baron Komura had proposed that Russia
buy back half of Sakhalin Island for $780,
OoO, 900, and Mr.. Witte had said very plainly
that the suggestion was not acceptable,
although his words were not taken as
formal and final.
Accordingly the three days recess was
agreed upon to enable the Russians to
consider the situation and determine il
advisable upon counter proposal. When
the ENJOYS met again to-day at the Ports
mouth Navy Yard they started in without
delay to finish the three protocols Of pre-
vious sittings that had not been signed.
The work of compan ng the French texts
made by the Russians and the English
texts made by the Japanese occupied about
an hour, and the protocols were then
signed.
When the last signature had been affixed
an awkward pause occurred, according
to information obtained from one Of those
present. who is authority for the account
that follows.
Evidently each side expected the othey
to make the next move The understand
ing of the Japanese was that Mr.. Witte
would submit the counter proposal Of
Russia at this point, but he did not. Mr..
Witte however. relieved the situation by
suggesting that a recess be taken for fifteen
minutes and the Japanese readily agreed.
What was done during the recess has not
been clearly explained. but when the time
for reassembling came only Baron Komura
and Mr.. Witte appeared in the conference
rom. They talked for more than half an
hour and when their conference was over
the announcement was made that the en-
voys had taken an adjournment until
o'clock on Monday afternoon.
JAPAN MAY MAKE ANOTHER PROPOSAL
The motion that the adjournment be
taken was made by Baron Komurs and
Mr.. Witte promptly assented.
In some quarters the fact that it was at
the suggestion OF the Japanese envoy that
another session was arranged for is taken
to mean that Japan will offer a new pro-
posal to counteract Russia's willingness to
cede Sakhalin II Japan does not insist upon
an indemnity.
THE CARS MESSAGE.
Emperor Nicholas, in response to the
solicitation OF President Roosevelt has ex-