Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-26
Pessimi.m nt Portsmouth.

PORTSMOUTH. y. H.. Aug. 25.-The
peace conference tonight seems headed
straight for the rocks. Despite the fact
that every question Of principle involved
in the quarrel between the two countries
has been settled in favor Of the victor
and that apparently only words and
money" still separate them, the negotia-
tions seem on the verge Of a fihal rupture.
The air was filled tonight with gloomy
forebodings, as superfcially everything in
dicated that tomorrows session of the
conference will prove the seance d'adieu.
In the most positive fashion It is de-
clared that no new instructions had
reached NJ. Witte up TO this evening which
would permit him to entertain the con-
sideration of the counter proposal sub
mitted by Baron Komura on Wednesday
and therefore, unless Japan has new
proposal to make tomorrow, all that seems
to remain is for the envoys to meet sign
a declaration that the conference has COM
pleted its laboTs. shake hHnds apd part.
President stiI ne work.
But there are still unknown factors in the
situation which In twinklShg might
change the situation. The result of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's second appeal direct to
Emperor Nicholas has not transpired and
the result of the pressure on Japan TO alter
the form of its proposal ny the elimination
of the purchase price Of the northern half
| of Sakhalin is not known But the indica-
tions on both scores are not reassuring.
Press dispatches from Toxic and from
| st. Petersburg, read with the most intense
interest here, indicate an unchangable at
| titude on the part of both governments.
Yet both are anxious for peace, 1t is said,
| It is probable that not more than $2OOOOO.-
/ 900 stands in the way. Yet the Japanese
cling doggedly TO their demands Their
| people at home insist on II. The most COM
| petent Japanese authority. who did not
conceal his pessimism when asked tonight
whether for the sake OF peace Japan would
! yield further replied; Read the dispatches
from Toxic and draw your own concu-
sion'
Nevertheless there is warrant for the
/ statement that the Japanese are not as
implacable as they appear and from con-
versation had by the Associated Press to-
night the distinct impression was gathered
\ that they would scale their money de-
mand and use any formula" which would
be acceptable TO Russia. II is not believed
the Japanese propose TO let the conference
end tomorrow.
Now Rests with CERF.
On the Russian side all pretense Of claim
| ing that NJ. Witte is any longer negotiating
has been abandoned. He has gone to the
furthermost limit of his imperial masters
orders. More he cannot do. sincerely as he
personally may desire to bring the negotia-
| tions to a successful conclusion.
Shortly before midnight NJ. Witte gave
absolutely no encouragement TO the idea
that there would be a change OF heart at
St. Petersburg. Unless Toxic was ready
10 recede further he expressed the opinion
that all was over. He used the following
| words to the Associated Press:
l have received no telegram from ST.
| Petersburg which changes the situation
Indeed, l do not expect any. l have not
asked instructions SO that / cannot re-
ceive any. II tomorrow there Is 10 be q
change It must come from the japanese
side.
Japs Ask for Delay.
This would seem to indicate that the
presidents second effort had failed at st.
Petersburg What II anything, he has
been able to do at Toxic, through his in
terview with Baron Kaneho this after
noon, remains a mystery. That the last
word has not come from Toxic and that
Baron Komura may still appear In a con-
ciliatory mood tomorrow may possibly be
inferred from the following fact:
The time for the sitting Of the con
| ference tomorrow was not set when the
adjournment was taken on Wednesday
This evening NJ. Witte, through his sec-
|
I he was ready 20 meet IL in the morning
at $3.50. The Japanese after consulting
/ demurred, on the ground that the minutes
OF the last meeting would not be ready
In time. Therefore, at their request the
meeting was set for o'clock in the
| afternoon.
Information received at a late hour In
dicates that President RooseveIt's efforts
are not exhausted and that he Is still IN
communication with Toxic and st. Peters.
burg. Tomorrow's meeting, consequently
is likely not 20 prove decisive. II viii
probably be perfunctory and some pre-
text will probably be found to adjourn
over until Monday or Tuesday
Al midnight no message had reached
NJ Witte from the president and II wal
regarded as practically certain that ar
adjournment would be taken tomorrow
until Monday
Roosevelt sends CabIeEFam.
OYSTER BAY, Aug. g-Two emperors
the one at St. Petersburg and the other Al
. I - -, a.