The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-10

japan will present her maximum, but
she also has her irreducible minimum
and in the first real passage at arms
IL will be the aim OF the Russian nego-
tiators to force her adversary back to
her last line OF defence Just how this
is 70 be accomplished will constitute the
interesting feature Of the conference.
II is regarded as certain that the Jap
anese will ask the Russians to accept
or decline the basis OF negotiations as a
whole. To allow them TO proceed by
process OF elimination would give the
Russians a big advantage and inevitably
proong the period during which the main
question as 10 whether a basis OF settle
ment could be reached would remain in
doubt
WITTE WILL ASK TIME.
NJ witte perfectly realizes this and
when faced with the japanese conditions
he will doubtless ask time for their con-
slderation TO ascertain what points come
within his instructions. NJ. Witte will
doubtless give his reply within "a hours.
probably within a few hours, as upon
the main issue--the question OF the ac-
ceptance of the basis of negotiation-lit-
tie fencing will be possible.l
That NJ Witte will decline 20 accept
the conditions as a whole may be re-
garded as a foregone conclusion and In
his reply he Is expected to point out early
what points he can and what points he
cannot accept. II will be the japanese
retonder 10 these replies which will
probably determine the fate OF these ne
gotiations.
Japan will then probably come forwar I'd
with her minimum and should Russia re-
ject II the Washington conference will
have ended in failure. This is understood
10 be the decision OF the japanese pleni-
potentiaries. Mr.. Witte has said he ex-
pected the issue TO be decided in a week.
With a bases agreed 10 the chance for
sparring ovr details will increase.
JAPs FIRST TO START
The hotel guests thronged the verandas
even before there was a possibility that
the foreigners would appear 1t was
few minutes past o'clock when the Jap
anese plenipotentiaries, the first Of the
peace mission TO appear came out OF the
hotel. entered the automobile and start
ed for the navy yard.
The Russian plenipotentiaries, NJ. Witte
and Baron Rosen, accompanied by Mr..
Nabokoff. also left in a motor car They
were preceded by mail coach in which
were Prince Kudachefr, Mr. Korostovetz
and MIR. DePlancon.
Neither the japanese or the Russians
ney 10 the navy yard. which was reached
by the former az $40. the Russians fol-
lowing almost Immediately.
NJ. WHITES NOTE
Immediately after the plenipotentiaries
and their secretaries gathered In the con-
ference room and exchanged com
plimentary words, partly in French and
partly I'm japanese Mr.. witte produced a
diplomatic note addressed to the Japanese
plenipotentiaries In connection with their
failure 20 present their credentials at yes
terday's meeting.
What the contents OF this note are can
not yet be learned. but there Is basis
for the belief that Mr.. Witte I'm this note
took occasion 70 give expression 90 the
surprise which he undoubtedly felt with
the japanese plenipotentiaries. after hav-
ing. from the outset OF the preliminary
negotiations laid so much stress on the
necessity OF examining credentials before
the first step was taken. should at the
first meeting have failed 20 bring with
them full official letters
II was the understanding OF the Russian
ENJOYS that Baron Komura would decline
20 even open negotiations ot the most in
formal character. unless he had satisfied
himself OF the validity OF the full power
OF Mr.. witte. Historical precedents are
quoted in the note 10 show the irregu-
larity Of yesterdays proceedings