The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-13
Discussion of Terms Is
 Begun. MAY YIELD sAKHALM
Consideration of Main Points
 Postponed.
Sessions Are Described as Friendly hut Mantle of Secrecy Makes
 News Largely . Matter r. of Deduction.

Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 12.-There 10 a rift in the clouds. The prospects of successful issue of the "Washington Conference" have brightened somewhat as a result of today's developments. The discussion of the terms submitted by Japan has actually begun. but this has been accomplished by postponing the consideration of the two main fS- sues indemnity and the cession of Sak- haffn.
 So far as ascertainabie. the Japanese were responsible for the tactics by which this hopeful stage was entered upon. As the mantle of secrecy has been thrown around the proceedings by mutual pledges not to divu1ge what happened within the council chamber. there are missing link in the chain of evidence and 1t is impossible to judge whether this signified a bsc down on either side on the main roints.
 On the face of things. both sides are still uncompromfsing as ever upon two issues. the struggle over them being merely postponed. Some sort of pri- vate understanding arrived at by Baron Komura and Mir. Witte during the re- cess at the navy yard today Ia hinted. but there is not the slightest confirma- tion ohtainable.
 No evidence Of a change in ths un- compromising attitude on the part of Baron Komura or Mir. Witte on the main points is observable. Neverthe- less, the Japanese who are attached to the Nippon mission plainly manifest elation and some of them privately ss- sert that Mir. Witte would never have consented to the discussion of the terms had he not been prepared to yield on the question of Sakhaiin- All this appears yet to be largely surmises or deduction. but certainly the curtain of mystery which has now been. rung down must conceal impQr- tant mAnuevering from ahe public gaxc- The Russian reply with It's non pcs- sinus as to indemnity and Sakhalin Yet in spite of this fact at o'clock | the plenipotentiariaa met and after agreeing to discuss the conditions se- riatifn. entered upon the condition of the first Japanese terms.
 The proposition to discuss conditions in this way is believed to have ema- mated from the Japanese side. The first condition was of secondary im-' portance---onel of those which Russia had passed upon as conditionally ec- ceptable as a basis of discussion---yet little progress was made
 Four hours were spent in debating 1t. but no conclusion was reached As there are twelve conditions and this one is of minor importance, the outlook Is still gloomy. The pienipotentiaries at o'clock adjourned until tomorrow afternoon at p. m. The Japanese wanted to hold session in the morn ing. but Mir. Witte would not agree to this, as 1t was Sunday,
 Both of todays sessions are described as friendly" but no details are di- vulged. Mir. witte, however, makes no concealment of the fact that the rigid secrecy which the Japanese in- sisted upon imposing upon the pro- ceedings is distasteful to him. With much earnestness he spoke tonight to the Associated Press upon the sub ject. At the time he was laboring un- der considerable excitement because of the published assertion which had been called to his attention that he had pleaded for an armistice, For the dignity of Russia and the pride of his country he asked that an absolute denial should be given to the report.
 Recurring to the question of secrecy of the proceedings he said he did not understand the Japanese desire to con- ceal what was taking place nor could he appreciate the logic of the argu- ment adduced in support of their posi- tion.
 we desire" said he. that every thing pertaining to the conference should be done in the daylight Rus sia is ready to be judged by the whole world We have nothing to conceal and nothing to fear. Before the con- ference began all sorts of reports and nisstatements emanated from the other side Now that the world needs en- lightment; now that the moment has come to face the supreme tribunal of public opinion we are not permitted to place before the world the evidence in our possession from which a just ver- dict could be returned as to the issue between the belligerents. The Russian envoys stand ready to publish the text of tha Jananese conditions. the full reply of Russia presented this morn ing, the diplomatic notes that have been exchanged and the minutes of the sittings. The issue now being tried at Portsmouth is not only a question of peace or war. but one which might produce a general conflagration in volving the shedding of blood in many countries"