Arizona republican., 1905-08-13

NJ Witte or Baron ROsen regarding the main points is observable. Never theless the Japanese who are attached to the Nippon mission plainly manifest elation and some of them privately as sert that NJ Witte would never have consented to the discussion of terms If he had not then receded on the ques- ton of the island of Sakhalin. All thls so far appears to be a surmise and deduction. but certainly the curtain of mystery which has now been running down might easily conceal important maneuvering from the public gaze.
 The Russian reply with it's non possimus as to indemnity and Sakha- lin had been presented in the morning. Yet. in spite of this fact, at o'clock the plenipotentiaries met and after agreeing to discuss the conditions seriatim entered upon the consideration
 of the first of the Japanese terms. The proposition to discuss the conditions
 in this way is believed to have emanat-
 ed from the Japanese side. The first condition was of secondary importance, one of those which Russia had passed
 upon as conditiOnally acceptable as basis of discussion-yet little progress was made. Four hours were spent Tn debating it, but no conclusion was | reached. As there are twelve condi- | lions and this one is of minor import ance. the outlook is still gloomy.
 | The plenipotentiaries at o'clock Iadjourned until tomorrow afternoon at | 3 o'clock The Japanese wanted to ! hold a session in the morning, but Nj. Wftte would not agree to this, as II
 was Sunday. Both of tOdays sessions are described as friendly" but no details are divulged. NJ. Witte, how ever, makes no cOncealment of the fact i that the rigid secrecy which the Jap
 anese insisted upon imposing upon the proceedings is distasteful to him. | With much earnestness he spoke to the Associated Press correspondent l tonight upon the subject.
 At the time he was Iaboring under considerable excitement because of the published assertion which had been i called to his attention that he had i pleaded for an armistice. For the dig nifty of Russia and the pride of his country. he asked that a denial should be given to the report. Recurring tC the question of the secrecy of the pro- ceedings, he said he did not under stand the Japanese desire to cOncea
 what was taking place nor could he 1 appreciate the logic of the arguments f adduced in support of their position.
 f We desire" said he, that every \ thing pertaining to the conference II should be done in the daylight. Rus II sia is ready to be judged by the whole | world. We have nothing to cOncea
 and nothing to fear. Before the con II ference began all sorts of reports anC
 misstatements emanated from tht other side. Now that the world need! enlightenment, now that the momen
 has come to face the supreme tribuna
 of public opinion, we are not permit
 ted to place before the world the evi- | dence in our possession from which { just verdict could be returned as t' the issue of the belligerents.
 "The Russian plenipotentiarle:
 stand ready to publish the text of thu Japanese conditions. the full reply O | Russia presented this morning, the diplomatic notes that have been ex changed and the minutes of the sit tings. The issue now being tried a
 Portsmouth is not only a question O
 peace or war between Russia and Ja- pan, but one which might produce h general confIagratiOn involving the
 shedding of blood in many countries.