The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-20
Hope of Peace Hangs on the Message Which Baron Ro-
 sen Bears to Witte
JAPAN MUST SOME HOW BE
 REIMBURSED FOR THE WAR
M. Witte Returns From His Days Out ing at Magnolia Greatly Re freshed, But He Re-
 fuse to Talk.

Portsmouth. N. H., August 19.-All hope here that the peace negotiations may yet be saved from a break on Tuesday is fas- tened in the proposition which Baron de Rosen is bringing from President Roose- welt to M. Witte, this proposition, 1t IS understood, concerning only Russia's po- sition, and if 1t shall prove acceptable to Russia, will be presented by M. Witte as soon as 1t shall have received the sane ton of the Emperor.
 When M. Witte retired tonight he was ignorant of the nature of the proposi- ton. All that he knew about it was the fact that at midnight last night he was aroused by message from the President, brought to him by Assistant Secretary Peirce requesting that he send imme- diately to Oyster Bay Baron Rosen or some other confidential agent of high rank to receive a message of the most confidential nature and of urgent impor- tance M Witte went at once to Baron ae Rosen's room and requested him to go to oyster Bay at the earliest possible moment.
 Late tonight M Witte was advised by Baron de Rosen that he was leaving Oys- ter Bay and expected to reach here some time tomorrow morning.
 Japs Without Official Information.
 The Japanese plenipotentiaries are yet without any official information of Baron de Rosen's visit to oyster Bay. Baron Komura and MT. Takahira do not expect that the proposition will come before thu conference as a suggestion from the President, but in case 1t shall be accept able to Russia, they expect to see itt effect in d modification of the Russian attitude. The Associated Press is au- thorized to say that Japan has the most implicit confidence in the President. and although without any official knowledge of his latest movement the Japanese plenipotentiaries feel certain that the President is acting not only on behalf of peace, but as much in the interest of Japan as Russia; that before Baron de Rosen arrived at Oyster Bay the Pres ident was in full possession of Japan'H views and knew on what points she might under certain conditions yield, and what demands were regarded as essential and unchangeable.
 Japan Must Be Reimbursed.
 Japan, 1t can be stated. must somehow . Unless the Emperor shall change his po- sition, which his plenipotentiaries do not for a moment believe is probable, Russia must yield on Article (war ndimnty), or Japan will be forced to continue the war The Associated Press Is further au- thorized to say that the Japanese plenipo- tentiaries have not recommended to their government a retracticn of the principle for which the war was fought, and for which Baron Komura and Mir. Takahira have been striving earnestly throughout the conference.
 The rumor in circulation here tonight that resentment was felt in Japanese cir cles at the action of the President in sending for Baron de Rosen is authori- tatively denounced as false. Indeed, Japan welcomes this final effort of the President to serve the cause of peace. A Japanese authority said tonight than Japan's conf dence in President Roosevelt as great and good friend has been strengthened rather than shaken by his final effort on the eve of what Is feared may prove the farewell session of the Washington con- ference to prevent a rupture.
 Japan has done her utmost for peace; we believe the President appreciates this, and if he does. any action that he may take to serve the cause of peace will find hearty sympathy and support of Japan. The day that Russia realizes that Japan's irreducible minimum is irreducible, | peace will be much nearer"
 Witte 10 Greatly Refreshed.