Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-08-25

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. zo.-1 He
nrospects of peace seem desperate,
hit they are not hopeless, despite the
prevailing pessimism. There Is still
a chance and the forces working for
neace are continuing their labor.
The president failed twice, but he
is fighting on The result OF Ambas-
sador Meyers audience at Peterhof
Yesterday was unsatisfactory, but at
least it was not rebuff. It left the
door open, and within a few hours
after the receipt at Oyster Bay OF Mr..
Meyer's account of his audience the
president had sent new appeal
through NJ Witte, who received it
from Mr. Pierce about o'clock this
morning.
The emperor had already in effect
declined the proposed compromise CT
fered by Japan. He has refused it be-
cause, under disguise, Japan Offer
ed to withdraw the article asking re-
muneration for the cost of the war on
condition that Russia repurchase from
the military possession of Japan the
northern part of Sakhalin at fixed
price of 1900, 100000 yen, the estimat-
ed cost of the war. Every message re-
ceived from Peterhof, including those
that came early today, was inflexible
upon that point.
Had Japan not inserted the sum,
had that been left for future adjust.
pent, the proposition would undoubt-
edly have proved more palatable And
the Associated Press is in a position
to state that the divergence in the
compromise as suggested by the pres
ident and as offered by Japan at the
conference which was mentioned in
these dispatches last night touched
this very point. The president did
rot suggest any price or the fixing of
price. and it is believed, although
this can not be affirmed, that his lat
est effort is to secure the consent Of
the emperor to agree to accept the ia
panese proposition with the amount
subject to future adjustment by an ar
bitration board or otherwise.
With regard to a dispatch that has
teen received here saying M. Witte
was awaiting instructions, the foreign
office says it is daily in constant COM
munication with M. Witte, and that he
will be able to go ahead on Saturday.
According to the Japanese NJ. Witte
bas already offered to divide Sakhalin.
Is Kaiser the Obstacle?
Most persistently the report con-
tlnues to be circulated here that EN-
peror William has been one of the
main obstacles to peace that while
ostensibly in sympathy with the pres
ldent's efforts, he is advising Emperor
Nicholas not to yield. The foundation
for this belief is the fact which an.
pears fully confirmed that M. Whites
Instructions were made more impera-
tive and intransingent upon the ques-
ton following Emperor Williams
meeting with the Russian emperor in
the Gulf of Finland. Beyond this no
evidence is offered
1t is significant that NJ. Witte made
Il a point last night to- express his
disbelief. in the report from St. Peters
burg, which caused considerable con.
sternation here, that Count Lamsdorff
mad authorized Reuters agent to de-
= clare that Russia under no circum.
stances would pay a contribution. eli.
ther direct or indirect or make a ces.
Sion OF territory whatever. M. Witte
said he could not imagine that Count
Lamsdorff could have authorized such
statement without informing him
(Witte).
Presidents Last Play.
PRESIDENT Roosevelt's moves to save
the peace conference are followine
each other in quick succession. He
IS now believed to have taken a new
step' possibly the final one, in the
shape OF last appeal to both sides to
ieave the question of the purchase
price OF the northern half Of the island
OF Sakhalin to arbitrament of a board
or commission.
Ihls, however, is an inference from
wnat Is actually known to have taken
place. He sent to M. Witte during the
night long message, without doubt
outlining the new step he has resolved
on.
presumably this message was pre-
pared after the president had received