The San Francisco call., 1905-08-24
Continued From Page /, Column 1.

and money for tribute she would not
pey-not a kopeck. He asked Baron
Komura to withdraw all demands foI
tribute.
LITTLE HOPE OF PEACE.
And so the plenipotentiaries sepa-
rated, to meet again on Saturday, osten-
sibly to permit Mr.. de Witte TO place
IN writing, as the rules OF the confer
ence require, his reply to the japanese
compromise proposition. In reality the
adjournment over the two days was TO
give each side an opportunity TO con-
suit its Government for the last time.
The outlook is black. Many believe
IT was never so black as tonight. The
japanese are not talking. Indeed, to-
night they appear to be more taciturn
and more resolute than ever The only
possible line of further Japanese con-
cession is considered to lie in the
dininution Of the amount of the par
chase money demanded for the north
half of Saghalien. The decision rests.
therefore. as il has from the first, with
Russia.
Unless the Emperor agrees to yield
between now and Saturday the end is
likely to come on that day. And the
indications from Peterhof instead of
raising the chances, indicate even a
firmer determination to yield neither
territory nor indemnity. sugar-coated
though the latter may be.
CZAR's WORD TO DE wITTE.
The long instruction received last even
ing. while not a repiy TO the communica-
ton Of President Roosevelt given to Mr..
dc Witte at the navy yard yesterday aft
ernOOn, was OF a character TO almost com
pletely destroy hope that it viii be pos
sIble for Mr.. dc Witte TO satisfy the Jap
Dc ndc Mr. IL kNiffe himself haS
been quoted as saying that he would not,
If ordered TO Go so by the Emperor, sign
treaty involving the payment of a
kOpocK.
But it must be borne in mind that Mr..
de Witte in the negotiations. is not a free
agent. He represents his Emperor. If he
were absolutely fr-e, this conference
would not fail. He would make peace. He
sympathizes with the solution offered by
the President, but his hands are tied,
and unless he receives an imperial COM
mand he cannot move.
Black as the prospects appear tonight,
however, the failure OF the negotiations
is not certain. The Russian camp is pes
simistic. TO a man, but they all know
the quick and starring changes Of front
that some times take place at Peterhof.
And there are factors in the situation
which might affect one of those sudden
and ineXplicable changes in the Emperors s
attitude which have frequently aston
ished Russia
PRESIDENT MAKES NEW MOVE.
Private advices from st. Petersburg say
that sentiment there. in Moscow and in
large centers favors acceptance of the
compromise This may mean much. But
the real hope still rests with President
Roosevelt He is resourceful He has
made another move. He has sent Embas
sador Meyer direct TO the Emperor. and
they were together, according TO advices
rec, ived here, for two hours to-day.
Mr.. Roosevelt himself tonight may
know more about how the Emperor feels
than AR de Witte and be able TO act
upon the information conveyed TO him
by his ambassador.
The report is industriously circulated
here that Emperor William is responsible
for the attitude Of Emperor Nicholas, and
everything Is traced back to the meeting
Of the Emperors on board the Hohenzol-
lern in the Finnish Gulf. In support of
this it is positively stated that, after the
interview. Mr.. de Whites instructions
were made stronger and more unyielding.