Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-22
RUSSIA MUST
ACCEPT TERMS
Alternative 10 to Go on With the War
and Settle the Question by
the Sword.
president RooseveIt's Last Heroic En-.
oeavor to Bring About Peace I'm.
proves the Situation.

peace have undoubtedly been improy-
ed by President Roosevelts action in
stepping into the breach in a last he.
roic endeavor to induce the warning
countries to compromise their "irre-
conciliable differences" but the result
is still in suspense.
The ultimate decision of the issue
has. defacto II not dejure, passed the
plenipotentiaries to their principals.
from Portsmouth to St. Petersburg
and perhaps in lesser extent to Tok.
10. Although there are collateral eyi-
dences that pressure both by Presi.
dent Roosevelt and neutral powers,
including Japan's ally, Great Britain,
whose minister, Sir Claude Macdonald.
according to dispatch received here.
had a long conference this afternoon
with Mr.. Katsura, the Japanese pre-
mier, is still being exerted at Toxic
TO induce Japan to moderate her de.
mands there is also reason to believe
that President Roosevelt was able at
the Interview with Baron De Rosen To
practically communicate to the latter's
senior, M. Witte, Japan's irrelucible
minimum-what she would yield, but
the point beyond which she would not
60.
Whether an actual basis of compro.
mise was proposed by the president
cannot be stated definitely. The only
thing that can be affirmed positively
is that If Russia refuses to act upon
the suggestion or proposition Of Pres
ident Roosevelt. the peace conference
will end in failure.
In the Russian Camp.
And in the Russian camp little en-.
couragement is given. Baron De Ros
en- reached here after an all night ride
from Oyster Bay shortly before noon.
and Immediately went into conference
with M. Witte. They remained closet.
ed together for almost three hours.
during which the whole situation was
reviewed Baron De ROsen communi.
Gated to his chief the presidents mes.
sage, and 1t was transmitted to the
emperor. together with NJ. Whites rec
concentrations. No clew to the na.
lure or this recommendation has trans
pred. But 1t can be said that M.
Witte' no matter how he may person.
ally view the proposition, is distinct.
~ pessimistic as to the character OF
the response which will come from
st. Petersburg.
To a confidential friend this after
noon ne onered little hope of change
In the situation.
The Japanese, 1t is firmly believed.
cing to the substance of the form of
tneir demand for remuneration for
the cost Of the war"
Perhaps they are willing to decrease
tne sum asked, but substantial com.
pensatlon, under whatever guise It ia
ootained, they decline to relinquish.
ny tne transfer OF the southern branch
oI the chinese Eastern railway first
10 Japan for REIMBURSEMENT to Chi.
ma, payment for the maintenance Of
the RUSSIAN prisoners and the SIR
renoer OF the Russian warships, it is
possioie 10 ngure out total transfer
70 Japan IN money and property of
limit. % 'nc
They are also firm upon the ces.
sion of Sakhalin.
Japs Say Little.
The Japanese. as usual arc vo-,
Ietlcent, and it is impossible to oh.
tam from them the least Indication
OF their view of the change in the
situation produced by the presidents
act'on. &C 1t Is taken for granted that
.ne PRESIDENTS appeal was made to Ia
pan as, 1t was to Russia. bmt fho To.
panese side Of the negotiations look.
ing 70 compromise is almost com.
pleteiy In the dark. It is understood
mat Baron Kaneko was able to ex.
plain the Japanese views to the presi.
u1ns' ..',.s II tne president is successful
with Russia it may be that he viii
then turn to Japan. That would he
the natural course If he has suggested
70 Russia what he regards as a fair
compromise and has undertaken. IL
RUSSIA accepts. to use his influence
to induce Japan to accent.