Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-27
RUSSIA GIVES
HER ULT|MATUM
WILL CONSENT TO DIVISION
OF SAKHALIN
AND PAY COST OF PRISONERS
Conference Adjourns, at Request Of
Komura, to Monday, When jap
anse VIII Probably Make
Decisive Answer

tlmated, in Withholding his card and
forcing the Japanese to play again he
undoubtedly gained point in the game.
But no adequate account OF the pro-
ceedings at today's meeting is forth
coming. The plenipotentiaries by agree
ment excluded the secretaries. There
were no minutes There are no records.
This in itself is extremely significant.
Decision Rests With Japan
When men who are fighting des-
perate battle lock themselves in room
alone 1t is the best evidence that they
are terribly in earnest. 1t is a hopeful
sign. All that is formally announced
is that the minutes of the last session
were approved and upon Baron Ko-
muras motion the conference ad'
journed until Monday at o'clock, but
whether or not the counter proposition
of Russia was submitted at this after
Moons session 1t seems to be "up to
Japan to formally renounce her de-
mand for the "frais de guerre," and
II
another way-for instance, by bona
fde sale of the northern half Of SAX
halin. Emperor Nicholas reply to Am
bassador Meyer and his instructions to
Mr.. witte are represented as his last
word SO far as indemnity is concerned.
A compromise by which Japan can Sc
cure a comparatively moderate sum of
money is still open.
But the gulf to be spanned is still
wide between the two adversaries. Rus
sia now is willing to divide Sakhalin.
Japan on Wednesday claimed the en-
tire island by right Of occupation, Offer
ing only to sell back the northern half
at the price of the "cost of the war"
And It should be borne in mind that the
elimination of articles 10 and II (sur-
render of Russias interned warships
and Limitation of Russia's naval power)
was conditioned upon her acceptance of
this proposition. Baron Komura and
Mr.. Takahira want time to consult
their government before. agreeing to
yield further.
The most competent Japanese author
ity said tonight; THE question of
peace still hangs in the balance"
For the first time there appears to
be some dissension in the Japanese
camp as to the advisabilfty Of making
another conciliatory step. Many of the
attaches are strongly of the opinion
that they should not recede another
inch. The most prominent of them said
tonight to the Associated Press:
1--WE only offered one-half of Sakhalin
upon condition that we should receive
for it the price we fixed. The island is
ours by right of conquest. If Russia
imagines we will give up half of 1t for
nothing she is much mistaken. Our an
swer should be, Come and take it, a"
The main hope of peace rests, as be-
fore upon the fact that both sides are
at heart seriously endeavoring to end
the war. All the principles involved in
the war have been settled in favor of
the victor and that, with each days
pressure on both sides will increase not
to allow mere question of money to
stand between them.
The medium of communication be-
tween Baron Kaneko, who is acting
for Japan in the pour parlers with the
president, and the Japanese plenipo-
tentiaries has been discovered. 1t is
Mr.. Uchida, the Japanese consul gem
eral at New York. After Baron Kane
kos visit to oyster Bay yesterday a
long account of the interview was
transmitted by telegraph in cipher to
Baron Komura by Mr.. Uchida.