The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-08-28
HANGING BY A THREAD.
And the Tiny Strand VIII Not Be Brok-
en- Today.


Portsmouth, August 2s AT 10 o'clock
last night after a conference lasting
three quarters Of an hour, between Taxa
hira and NJ Witte in the latter's room
in the hotel annex, the announcement
of the postponement Of the peace con-
ference to tomorrow at 3 was made.
NJ. Witte explained that Mr.. Taxa
hira had told him that no new instruc-
tions had reached him from Toxic and
fearing none might be received before
the meeting today, he had suggested
the propriety of p0stponing the meeting
until Tuesday. TO this nj. Witte said
he had readily assented. Mr.. Takahira
made the following statement:
4lnasmueh as this conference was init
lated by the friendly Offices Of your pres
ident, after consultation, we felt that
we should be cautious about terminat-
ing It's labors"
Pressed as to whether he regarded
the situation as hopeless, AIr. Takahira
said;
aNo, not hopeless bot almost hope
less"
This, in itself, from one who has
spoken always ID the most guarded
EN+ktteSa4s
perateness Of the situation.
The real crisis in the negotiations is
at hand. 1t IS very acute, but II it
can be tided over for few days With
out rupture, basis Of peace accept
able to both sides may come very sud-
denly. But to save the situation now,
Japan must speak. II, on Tuesday,
She has nothing to oifer all is over.
NJ Witte, even ii he would, is power
less to make new step. His hands
are tied He now occupies the role of
an imperial messenger who transmits
his masters orders to Baron Komura,
and Baron Komura turns them over to
Toxic for the response. The conference
room has ceased To be a place for me-
gotiations. 1t Is simply the place where
the emperors Of the warning countries
exchange their communications BY the
hands 81 their ENJOYS
And upon the point Of indemnity OF
reimbursement of frais de guerre" un-
der any disguise, Emperor Nicholas has
given the mikado his last word. NJ
Witte accepts it as final, and in writing
Saturday informed the Japanese pleni.
potentiaries that Russia would have
nothing further to say upon the sub,
iect. Russia would eede half Of SAX
halin and pay the cost of the mainten-
anee Of the Russian prisoners, but that
was all Emperor Nicholas had giver
the same response to the president
through Ambassador Meyer.
Russians Rather Pleased.
The Russians generally seem not dis
pleased with the situation. They be
lieye Japan has been diplomaticalv ma
noeuvered into corner from which i
She now persists in her attempt Ii
exact tribute with the alternative d
continuation of the war. she cannot ex
tricate herself before the public opinion
of the world. Japan here and in Europe
they say, appealed for sympathy on Chs
ground that Russia had compelled hei
to take up arms TO protect her life
The fortune of war had gone in he
favor, and Russia, recognizing that shl
had been beaten, and preferring peace Il
the continuation of the war, had agreed
to cede upon every point involved i
the quarrel.
Sine was willing to allow Japan full
swing in Korea. She was willing to ne
out OF Manchuria bag and baggage, AM
commit herself to the recognition 0
China's integrity and the policy of "th
open door," But Japan insisted upol
tribute and because Russia refused, pro
longs the carnage. In that act the,
contend Japan would change the purpos
and character Of the war, which wouI,
cease 10 be longer one Of principle, bu
degenerate into war for the exaction D
money.
There is no doubt that the Japanes
are worried over this aspect Of the sit
uation and they do not propose TO b
placed in this position if it can be help
ed. With the sentiment existing j
Japan demanding reimbursement for tn
expenses of the war, money paymen
beyond what would be obtained for th
maintenance Of Russian prisoners an
tile Chinese Eastern railroad could no
be foregone. But if redemption BY Rus
sia could be placed upon purely CONNER
cial basis, Russia might agree to il