New-York tribune., 1905-08-12

may be regarded as having disappeared IL The
feeling refectev in Russian circles is true cri-
terion And that no substantial concessions on
the main issues win be made IS the belief both
in Russian and japanese circles.
In both Russian and japanese circles tonight,
in the inner camps OF both pienipotentia-ies. the
deepest pessinlisin reisns n Witte. It is posi-
lively known believes that the prospects Of an
agreement are so remote as to he practically nil
he has no desire TO prolong the agony. apc, =
stead OF fencing when the plenipotentiaries come
together after the japanese have had the oppor-
tunity examine the reply. there is strong rea-
to believe that he win not only welcome. but
will insist. upon an immediate discussion Of all
the proposed bases. SO pessmstic is he that he
has already been talking to his colleagues Of his
plans when the rupture comes. Before sailing
for home he contempates brief visit to Chi
cage
That the japanese terms. in SO far as they
touch the main points. wiz not be Withdrawn or
materially modified is the opinion OF the most
competent japanese authority on the ground
who VIII talk for publication Julio kumpel
Matsun.ato. a member OF the japanese Parha-
nent. ,'ao is here as financial emissary OF
Japan and who is in close communication with
Baron Konura and MI Takahira. The reasons
he assigns are extremely interesting.
The conditions in their broad outlines said
he tonight have been substantially known to
US in Japan. and the Russians will be very much
mistaken If they imagine the japanese viii not
insist upon the two chief points-the indemnity
and the cession of Saghalien. To surrender
either is impossible. If Baron Komura should
yield on these points public feeling in Japan
would be so strong that he would be murdered
upon his return to japan. We must be reim-
bursed for the cost of the war. and Ne have
,,sssoraa rfefr-s IN Saghalien which have
never foreoUen.
About two hundred years ago the island was
explored by a japanese, Juzo Konda, who occu-
- pied II in the name of Japan, and called II
Karafuto the name bestowed upon it by the
aboriginal race who ct that time also inhabited
the island of Hokklido Finally ii was "discoV-
cred" by a Russian captain. who occupied l. in
the name of Russia Japan protested and
long desuItory negotiation followed But Japan
was then weak She mad neither army nor navy
nor internal organization Indeed, the country
was almost on the verge of revolution Japan
could not resist. and the upshot was that Rus
sa one day ended the controversy by announc-
ing that she would take Saghalien and give
Japan the Chishma CKuriles) Islands, which
Japan already owned.
Japan has no desire TO humiliate Russia more
than is necessary. and even now is seeking 10
avoid wounding Russia's susceptibniues; but
public opinion in Japan is absolutely so firm
upon the main issues that no Japanese states
man could possibly dare to withdraw the terms
which have been proposed as the bases of peace.
THE Japanese government has asked only
what. according 10 japanese ideas, are consid-
cred most moderate terms. A strong party in
Japan favored claiming not only Saghalien, the
Liao-Tung Peninsula, protectorate over Corea
and the evacuation Of Manehuria but also the
oesson TO Japan Of the territory around the
mouth OF the AmOor."
The question Of The credentials has been ami
caby adjusted upon the assurance Of the Jap
anese that the powers granted Baron Komura
were in the regular form always employed by
Japan. NJ Witte viii pursue the matter fur
ther Il is believed that his object in presenting
his note on the subject that it might go
into the record OF the conference to show that
the widely published intimations from Japanese
sources before the conference that the powers
granted him would not be fun and ample were
not only fOundationless, but that his powers
We're in fact greater than those bestowed on
Baron kOmura-
Efforts made TO discredit the authen-
ITCHY OF the japanese terms given by The
Associated Press but neither the japanese nor
Russians would discuss the subject and before
nightfall all those interested became convinced
Of their accuracy Both Mr. SatO ard Nj.
hOrostOvitZ. the spokesmen Of the respective
sides, declined to say anything official about
the terms, which. by mutual agreement, were TO
be kept secret. II. KorostOvitz. IN the name Of
NJ. White, old not hesitate 10 confirm the
accuracy Of the statement that the Russian
reply was completed and would be delivered to-
morrow morning. He even went 10 the extent
OF saying that il would be an agreement on
some points, conditional agreement on some
and rejection of some Of the terms He also
took occasion to confirm the statement that NJ
Wltte had received no instructions from st.
Petersburg regarding the nature Of the reply
TO be given, as his powers were ample.