Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-25
Russia Refuses to OOncede Principle Of In
demnity Even Indirectly.
MOTHER SUGGESTION or ARBITRATION
Agreement Nay Be Made for Commission
to Fix Price Of Island
LAST WORD MAY COME SATURDAY.
from st. Petersburg
That CSar's Envoys VIII BE
Ready to Resume Me-
Eotiations.

PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. 4.-Up to q
o'clock tonight six cahlegrams had been
received by NJ. witte from St Petersburg
All came from Count Lamsdorff and all
were opposed to the Japanese compromise
proposition, as presented at yesterdays
meeting. However, 1t is positively stated
that the cablegrams announce that direct
pour parlors are now in progress between
Emperor Nicholas and President Roosevelt.
The prospects Of peace seem desperate.
but they are not hopeless, despite the pre-
vailing pessimism. There is stin a chance
and the forces working for peace are con-
tinuing their labors The president failed
twice, hut he is lighting on. The result OF
Ambassador Mayors audience at Peterhof
yesterday was unsatisfactory, but at least
II was not a rebuff. II left the door open
and within few hours after the receipt at
oyster Bay of Mr.. Mayors account Of his
audience the president had sent a new ap-
peal through NJ. witte, who received II
from Mr.. Peirce about o'clock this morn
ing. The emperor had already in effect de-
cllned the proposed compromise offered by
Japan. He had refused II because under a
disguise, Japan offered to withdraw an
article demanding remuneration for the
| conduct of the war on the ground that
! Russia purchase military possessions OF
Japan in the northern part of Sakhalin at a
| fixed price of 1900 100000 yen, the estimated
| "frais de guerre."
| Price IL the ObstacIe.
Every message received from Peterhof
! including those that came early today, was
! infeXible upon that point. Had Japan not
inserted the sum, had that been left for
| future adjustment the proposition would
undoubtedly have proved more palatable.
And the Associated Press is in a position
to state that the divergence in the compro-
mise, as suggested by the president and as
offered by Japan at the conference, which
| was mentioned in these dispatches last
night, touched this very point. The presi-
dent did not suggest any price or the fixing
of a price, and II is believed. although this
cannot be affirmed that his latest effort
was to secure the consent of the emperor to
agree to accept the Japanese proposition
with the amount supject TO future adjust
ment by an arbitration board or otherwise.
According to the Japanese NJ. witte has al
ready offered to divide Sakhalin. II the
repurchase OF sakhalin was placed upon a
purely business basis the following few
lines from the authorized statement of the
| Russian position, given to the Associated
Press last night, should be borne in mind:
All that Japan does is to join the question
of Sakhalin with that of cash payment
and TO Insist upon war costs under the
name OF purchase money. The transaction
is fictitious and the Technology misleading.
and sale 1t should be treated as such and
therefore, should Russia decline to buy the
territory japan should keep II and conclude
peace on the basis of the concessions al
ready made.
Japan, it is believed, would make the
further concessions suggested II Emperor
Nicholas would commit himself to this solu-
tion. This statement is based upon the
words of the Japanese authority most COM
| 10 10 %
rect as reported that the Japanese had said
their last word and that all hope was over.
he replied:
No we have not declared our proposition
of Wednesday was our irreducible minimum.
We are not assuming threatening atti-
tude. That is not the way to make peace.
But the penpotentiaries themselves no
longer control on either side. The negotia-
tions have passed from their hands to their
principals at Peterhof and Toxic.
Attitude of Kaiser william.
Most persistently the report continues to
, be circulated here that Emperor William
has been one of the main obstacles to
peace. that while ostensibly in sympathy
with the presidents efforts he is advising
Emperor Nicholas not to yield. The foun-
dalton for this belief is the fact which ap-
pears fully confirmed. that NJ. Witte's in
structions were made more imperative and
intransigient upon the question of indem-
nifty and cession of territory after the
Kaiser's interview with the Russian en-
peror In the Gulf Of Finland II is signif-
cant that NJ. Witte made II point tonight
, to express his disbelief I'm the report from
St. Petersburg which caused considerable
CONSERVATION here, that Count L8msdorfr
! had authorized Reuters agent to declare
that Russia under no circumstances would
pay a contribution, either direct or indi-
g,alr Of f,rr NH,
soever. NJ. Witte said he could not imagine
! that Count Lamsdorff could have author
: ICED such statement without informing
him CWitte)
9 President stilI at Work.
a OYSTER BAY, L. l.. Aug. PA crisis
9 in the peace negotiations is approaching
| rapidly. Whether there is 70 be peace be-
tween Russian and Japan, or a continuance
l | OF the war will be determined very likely
within few days.
Since he made his direct appeal 10 EN-
peror Nicholas President Roosevelt has
been awaiting developments hopeful that
such efforts as he has felt proper to make
to avert a failure OF the Washington con-
ference might not be futile Today these
: developments began TO appear A report
> from Ambassador Meyer at ST. Petersburg
OF his audience with Emperor Nicholas
- yesterday was received and In addition
, | some important advices from Portsmouth
- reached the president. They were regarded
, as so urgent that as soon they were
received in the executive office in the viii
= | lage they we're carried TO Sycamore Hill
by a trusted executive clerk.
The utmost secrecy Is maintained regard
ing the communications not the slightest
intimation of the nature Of their contents
. being permitted 10 become public
y II is quite certain now that IN addition
l. 10 making a direct appeal TO the Russian
emperor 10 take such measures as may
" bring the pending negotiations 10 a sue
l- cessful issue, President Roosevelt has com
municated with the Japanese governmen
" along similar lines. Whether that appea
was made directly 20 the emperor OF Japan
-u E--.----.-.- A---L--L.-