Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-24

OF peace as more favorable today
than they were yesterday, but no
predictions are ventured.
Paris, Aug. 2a.-Reports from
Portsmouth today Indicating the
prospects Of mutual concessions
restored the feeling of confidence
in official and financial circles
here.
Portsmouth, Aug. 23.-The confer
,nce of the peace plenipotentiaries be-
gan at $3.50 o'clock this morning.
The popular belief was that today
would decide the issue. but the Associ-
ated Press had what it considered GER
tain warrant for the statement that
such would not be the case. Were it
to go to complete show down of
hands rupture was certain, since the
long cablegram instructions which Mr..
Witte received from his government
last night would not permit him to ac-
cept the compromise which it was I'M
derstood japan was prepared to offer
this morning, as result of the Presi-
dents heroic endeavors to save the
conference.
But the cablegram from ST. Peters
burg was sent before Witte had com
municated to the emperor the contents
Of the communication from President
Roosevelt delivered to him yesterday
afternoon. Hence it was not necessary
to be accepted as the emperor's last
word and Witte, who, there is reason
to believe, is personally in sympathy
with the compromise suggested, went
to the conference today prepared to
''spar for time"
1t was believed that at the conclu
sion Of the sitting today, an adjourn
ment would be taken over tomorrow
upon some pretext or other in order to
give Witte an opportunity to hear fur
ther from his government. A high
Russian summed up the situation this
morning with the words, There is still
hope"
Disagree Over Protocols.
The peace conference adjourned al
1915 p. m. This mornings adjournment
is officially explained to have been due
to the development of divergence
of views in the text OF the protocol
The Russians contended that some
corrections suggested during the con
ference, to which it was understood
the Japanese had agreed, had not beer
made. When this situation developed
1t was decided to read the protocol il
full and decide the disputed points il
conference. The work was not con
cluded at 1915, when the conference
recessed until 2:S0 p. m.
Meyer Sees Gar.
st. Petersburg, Aug. %. = American
Ambassador Meyer went this after
noon to Peterhof, where he was re
ceived in audience by the emperor
The audience concerns the possibl,
conclusion of peace
Has Message From President.
Oyster Bay, Aug. 2S. - presiden
Roosevelt sent long message to Am
bassador Meyer Monday evening.
A Hopeful Sign.
Portsmouth, Aug. ga cablsgran
from st. Petersburg announcing tina
Ambassador Meyer had an and!enc.
with the emperor this morning is con
sldered here as one of the most hope
full signs which has thus far DEVELOPED
In connection with the Presidents ef
forts to bring the belligerents to \;
compromise. That the President shouk
have asked aid in a personal appeal t
the emperor through his ambassado
shows how terribly in earnest til
President is and by those who under
stand the situation at ST. Petersbur
the possible good results of such a d
rect appeal are fully appreciated.
Japan Ready to Concede.
Portsmouth, Aug. 23.--Presidep
Roosevelt yesterday sounded the jar
anese government and found it viii
ing to make an agreement with Russi
on the basis of the repurchase by tn
latter of part and perhaps the Who'll
OF the island of Sakhalin and rein
pursement for the expenses Of prison
ers of war, etc. Russia has been ad
vised of the change in the attitude O
Japan.
1t is bold maneuver on the part o
the President and is a step beyon,
that which he took in his talk witt
Barcn Rosen, the Russian ambassado,
II f11rufchne ma cir ncr1a Sc l,