The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-25
War Rather Than Tribute,
Russia Declares.
A DRAMATIC CLIMAX
Mite Waits Not a Moment to Reject
RooseyeIrs comprt mise. Eight Arti.
Giles Signed. ENJOYS Meet Again
Saturday. Awaiting Instructions.
Another Move by Roosevelt.
inv the Associated Press. J

Portsmouth, n. H., Aug. 23.-The
Japanese plenipotentiaries at the con-
clusion of the afternoon session of the
peace conference threw the cards
upon the table. 1t was the dramatic
moment-the moment to which all
the previous proceedings of the con-
ference had led. The protocols in
volving agreement upon eight of the
twelve conditions originally presented
by Japan had been signed. One side
or the other must make a move or
the Observation-Disclosures had reached the
parting of the ways. The adverSJries
faced each other across the table.
Just then President Roosevelt figura-
lively suddenly entered the conference
room.
Mr.. White sat silent and the move in
the great diplomatic game passed to
Japan. Baron Komura in few
words explained that Japan in her
great desire for peace was ready to
make certain notifications" of the
original articles in the hope that Rus
STA could find it possible to accept.
He then presented in writing to Mr..
Witte the compromise proposition,
which President Roosevelt had sug-
gested. 1t was concrete and specific,
and it followed the lines outlined in
these dispatches.
1t offered to Withdraw article 3,
providing for the payment by Russia
of Japan's bill for the cost of war,
on conditions that Russia would ac-
cept article 5, which provides for the
ceSsion of the Island of Salxhalin, so
modified as to include an arrange
ment for the re-purchase by Russia
of the northern half of the Island for
100, 100000 yen. In addition 1t Of
fcrcd to withdraw entirely articles If
and ~, surrender of the interned
warships and limitation upon Russia's
sea power in the Far East.
1t was President Roosevelt's COM
promise, and Mr.. White knew its con-
tents as well as Baron Komura. The
question of whether he had been
"bluffing' was put to the test
Without a moments hesitation Mr..
Witte explained that the modification
proposed was merely sham, a
change of phraseology diplomatic
attempts to ''dorer la pilule'' and ask
Russia to pay war tribute under
another name. He could not accept
il. He told Baron Komura Russia
wanted peace. She had given the
proofs I'm accepting every article in
volving the issues upon which the
war was fought. but she could fight,
pay, not a cOpeck. He asked Baron
KomuPa to Withdraw all demands for
tribute
And SO the plenipotentiaries sep
arated to meet again on Saturday.
ostensibly to permit Mr.. Witte to
place in writing, as the rules require.
his reply to the Japanese compromise
proposition. In reality the adjourn
meDt over the two days was to give
eli nnV.fur to
its goverDment for the last time.
The outlook is black, many believe
it was never SO black as tonight. The
Japanese are not talking. Indeed to-
night they appear to be more taciturn
and more resolute than ever. The
only possible line of further Japanese
concession is considered to lie in the
direction of diminution of the
amount of the purchase money de-
manded for the north half of Sakhalin.
The decision rests, therefore as it has
from the first, with Russia. Unless
the Emperor agrees to yield between
now and Saturday, the end is likely
to come on that day. And the indica-
tons from Peterhof instead of raising
the chances of a chance of heart on
the part of the Emperor, seem to in
dictate even firmer determination to
yield neither territory nor indemnity,
sugar-coated though the latter may
be.
Cutting the Throat of Hope.
The long instruction received last
night, while not reply to the COM
munication of President Roosevelt
given to Mr.. White at the navy yard
yesterday afternoon was of a character
almost completely to destroy hope
that it will be possible for Mr.. White
to satisfy the japanese demand. Mr..