Warren sheaf., 1905-08-31
ENJOYS UNABLE
TO EFFECT peace
JAPS PRESENT PLAN OF PRESI.
DENT ROOSEVELT TO THE
CONFERENCE.

It Is Rejected by Russians-It. In
cluded Cession of Sakhalin, with
Permission to Russia to Purchase
Portion for Big Sum.
Portsmouth NJ H., Aug. 24.-The
Japanese plenipotentiaries at the con-
clusion of the afternoon session
Wednesday threw the card upon the
table. 1t was the dramatic moment
the moment to which all the previous
proceedings, of the conference had
led. The protocols involving agree
ment upon eight of the II conditions
originally presented by Japan had
been signed. One side or the other
must make a move or the plenipoten-
tiaries had reached the parting of the
ways. The adversaries faced each
other across the table. OF course, it
was well understood what would hap
pen, but that in a way, only made it
more dramatic.
Offers the Presidents Plan.
HA6 u4 dCAVOAy, I1cSIuOuC NOOSCVClC
suddenly entered the conference room.
M. Witte sat silent, and the move in
the great diplomatic game passed to
Japan. Baron Komura in few words
explained that Japan, in her great de-
sire for peace, was ready to make GER
tain notifications: of the original
articles, in the hope that Russia could
find it possible to accept them. He
then presented in writing to M. Witte
the compromise proposition which
President Roosevelt had suggested. 1t
was concrete and specific and it fol-
lowed the lines outlined in these dis
patches.
1t offered to withdraw article nine,
providing for the payment by Russia
of Japan's bill for the cost OF war, on
conditions that Russia would accept
article five which provides for the
cession of the Island of Sakhalin so
modified as to include an arrange
ment for the repurchase by Russia
of the northern half of the island for
1,200,000,000 yen. In addition it Of
fered to withdraw entirely articles II
and IL (surrender of interned war
ships and limitation upon Russia's
sea power in the far east.) It was
President Roosevelt's compromise, and
M. Witte knew it's contents as we'll as
Baron Komura. The question of
whether he had been "blufing" was
put to the test.
Witte Declines to Accept.
Without a moments hesitation M
Witte explained that the modification
proposed was merely sham, change
of phraseology, diplomatic attempt
to "dorer la pilule, and ask Russia
to pay war tribute under another
name He could not accept it. He told
Baron Komura Russia wanted peace.
She had given proofs in accepting
every article involving the issues upon
which the war was fought, but she
could fight, and money for tribute she
would not pay, not a kopek. He
asked Baron Komura to withdraw all
demands for tribute.
Still Chance.
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 25.-The
prospects of peace seem desperate,
but they are not hopeless despite the
a chance and the forces working for
peace are continuing their labors. The
president failed twice, but he is fight.
ing on. The result of Ambassador
Meyers audience at Peterhof Wednes-
day was unsatisfactory, but at least
it was not a rebuff. It left the door
open, and within a few hours after
the receipt at Oyster Bay of Mr..
Meyers account of his audience the
president had sent new appeal to
Mr.. Witte, who received it from Mr.
Peirce about o'clock Thursday morn
ing. The emperor had already in eff.
feet declined the proposed comprO-
mise offered by Japan. He had re-
fused it because under disguise
Japan offered to withdraw the article
asking remuneration for the cost of
the war on condition that Russia re-
purchase from the military possession
of Japan the northern part Of Sakha
lin at a fixed price of 1,200,00O,000
yen, the estimated "frais de guerre,"
Every message received from Peter
hof, including those that came early
Thursday, was inf1exible upon that
point.
Had Japan not inserted a fixed sum
had that been left for future adjust
ment-the proposition would undoubt-,
edly have proved more palatable. It
is authoritatively stated that the di-
vergence in the compromise as sug-
gested by the president and as offered
by Japan at the conference touched
this very point. The president did not
suggest any price or the fixing of
price, and it is believed, although this
cannot be affirmed, that his latest ef-
fort is to secure the consent of the
emperor to agree to accept the Japan
ese proposition, with the amount sub
ject to future adjustment by an arbi-
tration board or otherwise.
Evidence Too Slight.
Painesville, O., Aug. 26.- Coroner
York, of Lake county, rendered his