Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-12

II one comes, will have been due to their
intransigeant attitude. They have decided
In case of break to take steps to disproVe
any such claim.
An Unfavorable Impression
The action Of Baron Komura in announe-
ing Immediately upon the delivery of the
Russian response. that the japanese would
be prepared to meet the Russian plenipo-
tentiaries again at either o'clock this af-
ternoon or o'clock tomorrow produced a
distinctly unfavorable impression. To hx
the time Of meeting in advance of an ex-
animation Of the reply was interpreted as
evidence that the japanese mind was made
up, and that such concessions as they were
prepared to make had been agreed upon IN
advance and only remained to be forfhu-
lated. NJ Witte however is believed to
have practically outlined the reply In pre-
senting 1t, so that when Baron Komura
made his announcement he knew the sub
stance of the Russian answer
A Pessimistic Feeling.
So pessmistic is the feeling among those
in the confidence OF both sides that the
prediction was made to the Associated
Press correspondent that, II a meeting
should be held this afternoon, 1t might be
the last, and that the history of the
washington conference would be abrupt
ly concluded today.
will Immediately give battle to Linevitch
The Associated Press learns from an unim-
peachable source that Oyamas plans are
perfected, his armies are ready and only
await the signal that a rupture has Oc-
CURED to launch his attack
Retired to Respective Quarters.
When the meeting adjourned the pleni-
potentiaries of each side retired to their
respective private communication rooms.
II Al - ~ = l;tyv
OF another meeting this afternoon not to re-
turn to the hotel and telephoned that the
morning newspapers and any kilograms
which had arrived for him should be sent
to the yard.
Mr., Sato. alone OF the attaches, came
back to the hotel to bring the official ac-
count of the meeting to the newspaper
correspondents there who were in waiting
Mr.. Sato declined to supplement the
official statement with any other informa
ton.
Declines Discussion on Two Points.
The Russian reply to the Japanese terms
delivered by NJ. Witte to Baron Komura
was outlined In the Associated Press dis
patches last night Upon the two points-in-
demnity and cession of Sakhalin-it declines
to admit discussion. Others 1t accepts and
still others 1t accepts conditionally. 1t is
long, taking up the conditions sertatifn and
setting forth the reasons and arguments for
the decision reached in each case.
The argument against the payment of an
indemnity or the cession Of territory Is bas-
ed upon the general theory that Russia is
not responsible for the war and that as Rus
sia is still prepared to continue the struggle
and has sought this meeting, not as a van
quished country begging for terms, but be-
cause she sincerely desired peace il honor
able peace is possible. Therefore she could
neither agree to foot Japan's bill for war
expenses nor cede territory.
The Argument.
The argument can be fairly stated ss
follows: Russia Is not vanquished She
has suffered reverses, but she is not obliged
to accept peace at any cost. She desira IS
peace now, as she always has. even before
Japan opened hostilities. That Russia did
| not court or want war was evident by the
fact that she was not prepared for 1t either
| in a military. naval or administrative sense.
Russia could possibly be properly ac-
| cused Of only one thng-of having given
| the occasion which Japan was seeking and
| for which Japan had been preparing for
| ten years, to make war upon her The re-
| sponsibility of the war. therefore, falls
| upon Japan and not upon Russia.
! Some hope is expressed In the newspapers
4 that the Japanese may withdraw certain OF
| their stipulations and thus make further
negotiations possible. but the unanimous
| imperial opinion is that If the Japanese do
| not recede the Portsmouth conference is at
| an end, for, as one editor puts it, "a nation
/ with half million men In the field facing
the enemy cannot treat on the basis of pay
| ment of an indemnity and territorial con-
] cessions."
Adjourned for Luncheon.
| The conference of the Japanese pienipo-
tentiaries and their assistants was adjourn