The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-11

portsmouth. \. IT,, August 9.-With
the probability that Baron Komura
will tomorrow reveal tot he Russian
plenipotentiaries the terms upon which
Japan is willing to conclude peace,
opinion as to the outcome among those
who are congregated here to watch the
proceedings has become decidedly pes
simistic. This is due TO the growing
conviction that Japan's conditions Will
not prove as moderate as were at one
time anticipated, and especially in the
matter of indemnity, may preclude the
possibility of their acceptance by the
Russian ENJOYS as a basis OF negotia-
ton.
The firm attitude of NJ. Witte in pri-
vate conversation against the payment
of an indemnity, and the insistent re-
ports emanating from japanese quar-
ters that a stiff war contribution ap-
proximating the cost of the war, va
riOusly stated at from 5000, O,OOO, 900 to
SSOO,0OOO0O constitutes one of Japan's
demands, indicates wide, il not an ir-
reconcilable difference between Japan's
1rreducible minimum, and what Rus
sia is prepared to accept. Upon the
question OF the payment of large In
demnity the instructions of the Rus
sian plenipOtentiaries are believed to
admit Of no concessions although 1t Is
possible certain compensation In kind
| might be arranged. For instance, II is
suggested that for the REIMBURSEMENT
iSI nd of Co
| TALLY in Japan's hands, the possession
of which by Japan would give her
| command Of the whole Siberian literal.
Russia could with propriety pay
large sum.
Gloomy forebodings, however, may
| be premature at this juncture as ev-
| erything indicates that persons on both
| sides are sincerely desirOus Of conclud-
ing a treaty of peace.
The first meeting of the plenipoten-
tiarieS today was of an entirely infor-
| NAL character, so informal i'm fact that
Baron Komura did not bring his letter
of credence to the Portsmouth navy
yard, whereas NJ Witte was armed
with the original document In Russian
setting forth the powers conferred
upon him, and also with translation
| of the document. The latter he read.
| Baron Komura was embarrassed and
offered to send back to the hotel for his
commission, but NJ. Witte has express
ed the faith that the credentials were
full and ample, and 1t was arranged
that official exchange Of credentials
should be made tomorrow.
Later in the afternoon, however,
| copies of the credentials were !nfor-
mally exchanged i'm order that they
| might be examined before the meeting
| tomorrow.
| 1t is known that the credentials diff
fer slightly. In exactly what respect
could not be ascertained tonight, but
| the Associated Press correspondent is
tassured both by the japanese and Rus
sian emissaries that the difference Is
not essential and constitutes no obsta-
Gle to the official opening of the nego-
| tiations.
/ Indeed the president was officially
| informed tonight that the credentials
were full, ample and satisfactory to
/ both sides.
! 1t was decided today to hold two
4 daily sessions. one In the morning be-
/ ginning at 9:30, and one in the after
noon beginning at 3 p. IN. To avoid
delay ana give the pienlpOtenuaries
1 and delegates time for consultation be-
tween sessions, Ii has been arranged
\ that luncheon will be served at the
i navy yard and the envoys upon Ieav-
ing their quarters I'm the morning will
i not return until the afternoon session
Il adjourns.
i Three secretaries for each side will
Il be in attendance To draw up the pro-
tocols OF the meetings, which will be
written in both English and French.
1 The French text, however. In case oil
J dispure, will be accepted in evidence
J (faiae fob. The officials versions oi
: today's meeting given out by each side
described it as satisfactory" and othel
: accounts indicate that while every
{ thing passed of amicably considerable
reserve was displayed upon both sides
!, Baron Komura and his colleagues ie