The Elbert County tribune., 1905-08-24
PRESSURE FOR PEACE
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT is BUSY
Great Powers Uniting to Ering Russia
and Japan to Agree On
Terms.

Portsmouth. N. H, Aug. 21.-The
chances OF peace undoubtedly have i'm
proved by President Roosevelt's action
In stepping into the breach in a last
heroic endeavor to induce the warning
countries to compromise their "ir-
reconcilable differences" but the re-
suit is still in suspense. The ultimate
decision of the Issue has de facto II
not de jure passed from the plenipo-
tentiaries to their principals, from
Portsmouth TO st. Petersburg. and per-
haps in lesser extent to Toxic.
Although there are collateral evil
dences that pressure both by President
Roosevelt and neutral powers. includ-
ing Japan's ally, Great Britain, whose
minister Sir Claude Macdonald, ac-
cording to a dispatch received here.
had a long conference yesterday after
noon with Mr.. Katsura, the japanese
premier, 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
this interview with Baron de Rosen to
practically communicate to the latter's
senior, Mr.. Witte, Japan's irreducible
minimum-what she would yield. but
the point beyond which she would not
go.
Whether an actual basis of compro-
mise was proposed by the President
can not be stated definitely. The only
thing that can be affirmed positively is
that If Russia refuses to act upon the
suggestion or proposition of President
Roosevelt the peace conference will
end in failure. And in the Russian
camp little encouragement is given.
Baron de Rosen reached here, after
an all-night ride from Oyster Bay,
shortly before noon, and Immediately
went into conference with NJ. Witte.
They remained closeted together for
almost three hours, during which the
whole situation was reviewed. Baron
de Rosen communicated to his chief
the Presidents message and it was
transmitted to the emperor, together
with NJ Whites recommendation.
No clew to the nature of this recon-
mendation has transpired. But it can
be said that NJ. Witte, no matter how
he personally may view the PROPOSE
ton. is distinctly pessimistic as to, the
character of the response which will
come from st. Petersburg.
To a confidential friend this after
noon he offered little hope of a change
in the situation.
The Japanese it is firmly believed.
cling to the substance of the form or
their demand for remuneration for
"the cost of the war"
Perhaps they are willing to decrease
the sum asked, but substantial COM
pensation under whatever guise it is
obtained, they decline to relinquish.
And they also are firm upon the ces-
sion of Saghalien. BY the transfer of
the southern branch of the Chinese
4far.,, t-nf1 1rraxr A~ct 10 or. r-e-
linquishment to China, payment for
the maintenance of the Russian pris-
oners and the surrender of the Rus
sian war ships, it is possible to figure
out total transfer to Japan in money
and property of about S250.000,000.
But this is the limit.
The Japanese as usual are very reti-
cent and it is impossible to obtain
from them the least indication of their
view of the change in the situation
produced by the Presidents action.