Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-12
THE OPPRESSIVE HEAT
ENJOYS SUFFER FROM UMPIRE
CEDENTED. HOT WAVE.
Mikado's Representatives Promised
Response to Answer to Their Terms
Late Today or Tomorrow.

| IN these dlSpatCheS last night, was
brief. 1t lasted little more than
an hour. The Russian reply was
delivered by M. Witte and the
| meeting was adjourned to give
Baron Komura and his colleagues
opportunity to examine the docu-
ment.
M. Witte indicated courteously
that he would expect the same ex-
pedition in the Japanese response as
had been observed in the prepara-
ton of the Russian reply, and this
was readily assented to.
Baron Komura announced that
he would be prepared to meet the
Russian plenipotentlaries again at
: o'clock this afternoon, or if not
then, at the latest, tomorrow (Sun-
day. at the same hour.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H. August 12-The
Russian reply to the japanese conditions
of peace was delivered by NJ. Witte to
Baron Komura this morning.
The heat was already almost unendurable
when the japanese and Russian plenipo-
tentiaries set out for the navy yard about
8 clock. The mercury was dancing in the
nineties on the veranda of the hotel, not
breath of air was stirring. bay and shore
seemed swooning in the tropical atmos-
phere.
The foreigners were fairly overcome They
were mopping their brows as they appeareds
The heat evidently affected their tempers
Th grim serious business on hand. upon the
issue or which the whoass wsel6sswaits
breathlessIy. seemed temporarily forgotten
in the general execration Of the weather. -
Surfer From the Heat.
M witte and Mr.. TakahiEa have
suffered particularly from the unprscedent-
ed heat wave which has held this vaunted
summer resort in its relentless grip for
three days. and looked almost worn out
Baron Komura with Mr. Takahira and NJ
Witte and Baron Rosen were taken to the
navy yard in automobiles. while the secre-
taries and attaches Of the missions went
over In a launch. The latter greeted each
other on the wharf with smiles, but there
was little cordiality and no fraternizing.
the police amenities and complaints against
the weather.
When they entered the launch. they were
perforce compelled to again speak 10 each
other as they were taking their seats. but
before the launch had gone 200 yards the
attempt to keep up a conversation ended.
Perhaps among the Russians the reserve
was less noticeable than among the Japa-
nese But there was little to choose be-
tween them in this respect. Their strained
attitude toward each other could have been
manifest to the most indifferent observer.
1t seemed a bad augury. Indeed, pessi-
mism, black pessimism, reigned
A Firm, but Courteous Refusal.
1t was already well understood that NJ.
Whites reply upon the two main points
was a firm but courteous refusal. The
Russians had made no concealment of that,
and such indications as came from their
headquarters breathed a spirit of tmplac-
able resolution to adhere to the refusal.
Indeed there were open intimatlons that
unless the Japanese modlhed their posi-
tions upon these points the efforts to nego-
tiate peace must result in failure, and pre-
dictions were freely made among the Rus
sian correspondents that next week would
see the end.
At the same time there was a popular
impression about the hotel that NJ. Witte
was .bluffing." On the other side similar
but even more impressive attitude Of deter
minaton observed. They seem sure
of their position and their strength. The
Japanese acted as If their minds were made
up They would discuss but yield nothing
on the main points. There seems good
warrant for the statement that two Of the
minor conditions were included for the pur-
pose of bargaining. But that the others,
in substance, must stand.
There Must Be Concession.
In this condition OF affairs there must be
surrender on one side the other or the
war WIN go on. There may still be chance
of peace, but 1t is based entirely upon a
| sudden change of the uncompromising at
titude of one side or the other. Predictions
| are heard that If break comes President
| Roosevelt will again step into the breach.
The peace conference adjourned at 1910
am.
Ten minutes after adjournment the two
| Russian plenipotentiaries left the navy yard
| in their automobile. The japanese remained
| in their suite of private offices. Today the
Japanese assistants went to the navy yard
| in launches. taking with them a number
| of suit cases in which were documents and
| records indicating that it is their intention
| to work today in their suite of offices in
the naval stores building.
| Soon after the adjournment of the joint
session of the peace plenipotentiaries and
| the departure of the Russians from the
| DuliUlilS tHc JAPANESE CnleI ENJOYS ana
| assistants went into formal session in their
| private council chamber, taking into con-
| sideration and preparing for cabling the
Russian reply to Tokyo.
japanese Response Promised.
| The Japanese plenipotentiaries have agreed
to make their response to the Russian reply
| at o'clock this afternoon or at the same
time tomorrow.
Mr.. Sato's Statement.
| The official statement regarding this morn
| ing's session was given out by Mr. Sato at
| L:15, accompanying 1t with the explanation
| that 1t was an official statement to which
| both sides had agreed. 1t is as follows:
"In the sitting of Saturday. August II,
| their excellencies, the plenipotentiaries OF
| Russia, have handed their reply In writing
| to the note presented to them on Thursday
BY the plenipotentiaries Of Japan. 1t has