Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-08-18

Portsmouth, Aug. 18.-The peace
conference began it's session today at
S:55. When the plenipotentiaries met
il was practically with the tacit under
standing that at the end of the days
session they would adjourn until Mon
day. The prophets of evil" those
who persist in believing all hope of
treaty is gone. predicted that today
would witness the final report and that.
at most, there would be only one more
meeting. not for final effort to reach
accord, but TO exchange diplomatic
amenities and bid each other farewell
This does not correctly represent the
situation. Unless something entirely
unforeseen on either side occurs today
the final struggle will be postponed un,
til Monday 10 give both sides time To
hear the last word from their govern
ments.
The Main Articles.
Article II, Limitation upon Russia's
naval power in the far east), was pend
ing when the plenipotentiaries reas-
sembled. Indications are that it also
would go over without final action The
last article. number IL. that relating to
fishing rights may be yielded by the
Russians but neither article 10 Cntern-
ed warships) nor IL or II presented
insuperable difficulties. Everything
now goes back to indemnity. and SAX
halin. If they can be adjusted the re-
mainder will be child's play.
The official statement after the morn
ing session concluded as follows: LAS
in the sitting this morning the confer
ence has continued the discussion of
article II. the discussion was not fin
ished and will be resumed at o'clock
To Complete Much This Afternoon.
While article IL was the subject con-
sidered as a matter of fact. the discus
sion was not limited to that article. Ii
was general and covered all the Ques-
tions at issue II is expected that arti-
Gle II and the last article. number II,
(ishing right viii be completed ear
" this afternoon and the plenipotenti-
aries will then revert briefly TO the
articles that have been passed over.
This will be for the purpose OF draw
ing up the final protocols to be pre-
sented next week. The Japanese con-
tinue to show great reserve inside the
conference chamber and apparently
have successfully mystified the Rus
slams as to their ultimate tactics.
Day of Dispute.
Yesterday was day of dispute. The
Russians stubbornly contested every
demand Japan made. The dispute con
tinued after dinner. The ninth article,
pertaining to the question of indemnity
or reimbursement seems TO be one on
which the representatives OF the bellig-
erent powers will never get together.
On this point NJ. Witte is reported 10
have replied TO Japan's demand for re-
endorsement of the wars expense:
I'VE will pay you all you have expend-
ed TO do us good-all your outlay for
maintenance of prisoners and any eX-
pense of that nature which you will de-
fine to us. We will pay 1t gladly, liber-
ally. and without question. But for
what you have spent TO do us evil, not
q kopeck."
The 10Th condition proposed limi-
tation OF Russia's naval power in the
far east. Russia refused. after an acri-
monious argument.
4 note OF divergence was made ana
the nth condition was considered. rms
proposed that Japan shall have the IN
termed ships of Russia. Russia again