The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-08
RUSSIA WON'T PAY INDEMNITY
THAT'S HER ATTITUDE ON EVE
or PEACE CONFERENCE.

Doesn't Consider Situation SO Desperate
That Peace Must he Bought-Bar0n
kanekO says Japanese Believe War
VIII Go On-witte Reaches Portsm outh.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. with the
arrival here late tonight Of Mr.. Witte.
whose appearance in advance Of his COL
leagues has caused no end OF unnecessary
and futile speculation, the outcome Of the
peace negotiations has not become clearer.
but the situation Is capable Of more inteli-
gent understanding.
1t should be known once and for all that
the Russian Government, as It's purposes
are understood by its ENJOYS is absolutely
fixed In its determination not to pay an
Indemnity to Japan, except perhaps q
reasonable sum for the restoration of
Russian political rights on Sakhalin island,
If that may be called an indemnity. But
even this possible contin gency cannot be
discussed with any positiveness at the
present moment, for 1t will arise only as the
result Of serious and probably extended
discussion.
The Russians are by no means convinced
that prolongation OF the war Is useless,
and even Mr.. Witte sincere as he is In his
desire for peace, shares with his Govern
ment the conviction that Russia must not
be placed in the position of buying i'm
munity from further warfare by the pay
ment Of cold, hard cash.
The reports that the Russian plenipo-
tentiaries know the Japanese peace con-
ditions are entirely without tangible foun-
dalton. Mr. White is authority for the
statement that he and his colleague Baron
Rosen, have not been informed Of whs.x
their adversaries will demand in the w.6y
Of concessions from Russia. y
Il have my own ideas as to what the
Japanese conditions are said Mr.. Witte,
but they are based on mere hypothesis.
We shall not know them until they are
presented to U.s."
At this early day it is idle to make any
prediction as to what the exchanges Of
the negotiations will bring, but. Judged
from what Is known OF the attitude Of the
Russian ENJOYS and the understanding,
| slight though 1t Is, Of Japan's position,
| there is reason to hope on the eve Of the
momentous meeting between the four dis
| tinguished men to whom the future OF
two nations have been virtually intrusted
that a spirit OF honest endeavor will mark
the proceedings and will serve to ,preyent
any abortive ending before earnest and
sincere consideration has been given to
the questions at issue.
WHAT RUSSIA MAY OYER.
1t is understood that while the Russians
will positively decline to pay price for
the peace for which the world is hoping,
they are willing to offer concessions which
cannot fail, II the Japanese are irrbued
with the same spirit, to promote q good
understanding and a desire to reach an
agreement.
Russia, for example, Is likely to accept
with the best grace possible a proposal
from her adversary that Port Arthur shall
remain in Japan's possession. She will
even, it is understood. be willing to give
consideration to demand that Vladivoetok
be dismantled.
She might also, there is reason to believe,
pay to Japan certain amount for the resto-
ration Of Russia's political rights on SAX
ha!in Island and elbow Japan to share the
fishing privileges Of that place. But the
disposition of Sakhalin Island will not be
permitted to stand In the way Of peace
II Russia Is able to secure from Japan fairly
satisfactory conditions affecting other and
more important questions at issue
CONDUCT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.
Already it has been determined that the
negotiations shall be conducted in both
French and English, and that every proposal
and the expression of individual OF official
viz VS. on the part Of the conferees shall be
put in writing in the form Of aides memoir.
While this will tend to prolong the negotia-
tions, it will provide a sure foundation for
procedure and prevent embarrassing errors
of Interpretation.
At the first meeting on Wednesday the
emissaries Of Russia and those OF Japan ,
will exchange credentials, and there is a
confident feeling among those best informed
that these will be entirely satisfactory to
each side. While the Russian ENJOYS bear
letters Of credenoe empowering them to
discuss terms Of peace and to conclude q
treaty subject to the approval Of the Gar.
t Ia the belief here that the Japanese nego-
tiators will not insist that their adversaries
secure fuller powers.
The first real step In the negotiations
will be the presentation OF the Japanese
demands. Mr.. Witte, 1t is understood, will
not express any personal views with regard
to these but will forward them Immediately
to st. Petersburg and await the instructions
of the Emperor before seeking further con-
ference with the japanese ENJOYS. Until
the Emperors wishes and opinions have
been ascertained the proceedings will be
PoRTsMouTH's DELAYED WELCOME.
Several thousand people, who had not
learned yesterday Of the postponement Of
the arrival Of the peace plenipotentiaries
here, came to the city to-day to witness
the expected ceremonies, and were greatly
disappointed when they learned that the
ships bearing the ENJOYS would not reach
Portsmouth until tomorrow. The pro-
gram arranged for to-day will be carried
out to the letter.
Rear Admiral Meade with his staff, Is