Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-20

As the time approaches for the playing Of
the last cards at Portsmouth there is man |
Tested here among certain high officials
and by the press and the public, the un- !
mistakable conviction that Russia will not
yield on the points of paying an indemnity.
as such, or of absolutely ceding Sakhalln
to the Japanese.
The Associated Press can state authori-
tatively that Emperor Nicholas. the day
previous to the announcement OF the new
national assembly was firmly resolved that
he would not accede to the Japanese on
either of these points, and furthermore.
that the reception by the people OF the as
sembly project has done much to strengthen
him in that resolution. It is not felt here
that the transfer to Japan Of all interned
warships and the Limitation of Russia's
naval force in the Pacific will be crucial
points in the final settlement. They are re-
garded as terms inserted in the terms by
the Japanese for the purpose of humiliating
Russia before the world and for no very
serious purpose of negotiation. They are
also roundly declared to be unacceptable,
but were not vested with the Importance of
the other two unsettled questions.
Today, as at the beginning OF the Ports
mouth negotiations, the conditions rela-
tive to the cession Of Sakhalin and In
demnity are universally declared to be
impossible OF acceptance The emperor has
received further addresses from the country
begging MN to neither cede territory nor
paw indemnity and expressing the readiness
Of the senders to make further sacrifices
II necessary. In the emperors known state
of mind these communications certainly
have their effect.
Tw, things were particularly noticeable
here day One was the determination
! not to pay an indemnity, as such. or to
/ ccdo Sakhalin absolutely; the other was
the fact that the PRONUNCIATION Of the ma
| tional assembly at this time was clever
! and able move that has done more to make
| an issue Of the war question of the people
! than has any other event since the begin
| ming of hostilties
The calling into being OF the national
assembly is a new factor in the situation
! II peace does not result from the Ports
mouth negotiations the war bids fair to
be national one. II is to be carried on
| in future by the people instead Of being
war in which the hearts and interests of
the people do not enter.
Japan Expects Rupture.
! TOXIC, Aug. 1850 p. NIT Is con-
| hdently believed here that the peace con-
| ference at Portsmouth will result in a rup-
ture, but the news is calmly received.
The weight Of popular belief seems to
! anticipate and be reconciled to the failure
! OF the peace negotiations at Portsmouth.
The japanese have resolutely supported
the demand relative to reimbursement for
the expenditures of the war and the ces-
sion of SakhalIn island and evidently pre-
fer a continuance Of the struggle to the
acceptance OF lesser terms.
The press and others are urging that
the Manchuriah and Vladivostok campaigns
| be vigorously pressed and also the seizure
of Russia's possessions on the Pacific
coast.
The rains have ceased and fighting in
Manchurian country will soon be possible.
Toxic continues exceedingly quiet and
calm. The market is showing some weak
ness, but the declines are slight
Russians Leave COrea,
SEOUL, Aug. LIT is rumored that the
Russians in the northern part OF Corea are
Withdrawing. The local food supply has
been affected by the rains and is meagre
for the population. the sea route being in
the hands Of the Japanese and the bridges
over the Tumen river broken.
II is not expected that there will be
battle south OF the Tumen. The Japanese
army is confident and the weather is i'm
proving.
weather stops Operations.
PICKING. Aug. 19.-while the Japanese
and Russian peace plenipotentiaries have
failed 10 arrange an armistice during their
negotiations. the weather is enforcing an
effectual armistice for the month OF Au-
gust Operations on large scale by each
army are impossible at the present time
and the situation will be probably I'M
changed for the next fortnight or three
| ueeks The rains throuFhout Mapchurfs
have been unusually heavy. and prolonged
this summer. The country Is now a swamp
and the roads are 50 soft that attempts
: TO move artillery and heavy transports
would be out Of the question. There were
5 many heavy rains In June and July, and
the rainy season began IN earnest about
the middle OF July. During the following
three weeks there was a downpour almost
daily. The valleys east OF the railway
{ particularly are inundated and the streams
are swollen, making the movements OF
carts and horses very slow and dificult.
Roads Are impossible.
The japanese army fully prepared for a
/, general advance before the rains began
! and probably will give battle quickly with
It's whole strength as soon as the country
is sufficiently dry in event the peace nego-
tiations fail
Great reserves OF supplies have been ao-
cumulated by the japanese at the front
and at Mukden. Tiehling and other base
, ! depots.
The army is IN better condition than ever
before for work. The health OF the troops
throughout the summer has been kept at a
high standard and the percentage OF sick
ness has been far below that OF the sam,
period last year.
The army's energies has been devoted tc
I the TRANSPORTING munitfOna hufldfnl