The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-08-28

PORTSMOUTH, n. H.. Aug. 27.-The
life of the peace conference today
seems to hang by a thread, but the
thread viii not be broken tomorrow.
At 10 o'clock tonight. after a conference
lasting three-quarters of an hour. be-
tween Mr.. Takahira and NJ Witte in
the latter's room i'm the hotel annex.
The announcement of DOstpOnement
was made NJ. WHITE explained TO the
Associated Press that Mr.. Takahira
khad told him that no new instructions
: Mad reached him from Toxic, and
fearing none might be received before
the meeting scheduled for tomorrow
afternoon. he had suggested the pro-
priety of postponing the meeting until
Tuesday. To this NJ. Witte said he
had readily assented. Mr.. Takahira
made the following statement to the
Associated Press.
'Iuasmuch as this conference was mi
tidted by the friendly office of your
president after consultation we felt
that we should be cautious about term
mating its labors."
Pressed as to whether he regarded
the situation as hopeless Mr.. Takahira
said:
NO. not hopeless, but almost hope
less.
Situation Desperate.
This in itself. from one who has
spoken always in the most guarded
fashion is sufficient TO show the des-
perateness of the situation. The real
crisis in the negotiations is at hand.
1t is very acute. but if it can be tided
over for a few days without a rupture
q basis of peace acceptable to both
sides may come very suddenly. But
tC save the situation now Japan must
speak If on Tuesday she has nothing
10 offer. all is over. NJ Witte. even if
he would is poweriess 20 take new
step. His hands are tied He now oc-
cupies the role Of an imperial messeH-
ger who transmits his masters orders
= Baron KOmura ard Baron Komurai
tLrns them over to Toxic for the re-
~STo<io Must Decide.
The conference room has ceased TO
\ be a place for negotiations. II is sim
Ply the place where the emperors Of
the warning countries exchange their
communication by the hands Of the
ENJOYS And upon the principal of in
demnity, of reimbursement. of "frais de
Euerre" under any disguise Emperor
Nicholas has given the Japanese en-
peror his last word. NJ. Witte accepts
II as finaI and i'm writing yesterday in
formed the Japanese Observation-Disclosures
that Russia would have nothing further
TO say upon this subject. Russia would
cede half of Sakhalin and pay the cost
OF the maintenance of the Russian pris-
oners. but that was all. Emperor
Nicholas had given the same response
to the president through Ambassador
Meyer.
Russians Seem Satisfied.
The Russians generally seem not dis
pleased with the situation They be-
lieVe japan has been Automatically
naneuvered into a corner from which
If she now persists in her attempt TO
exact tribute with the alternative of a
continuance of the war. she cannot ex-
tricate herself before the public opinion
of the world. japan here and in
Europe, they say. appealed for sympa-
thy on the ground that Russia had
compelled her TO take up arms to pro-
tect her life. The fortune CT war had
gone in her favor, and Russia. recog-
nizing that she had been beaten and
preferring peace to the continuation of
the war, had agreed TO cede on every
point involved in the quarrel She was
willing to allow Japan fun swing in
Korea, she was willing to get out Of
Manchuria bag and baggage and com
nit herself TO the. recognition OF China's
integrity and the policy Of the open
door" But Japan, insisting upon trib-
ute, because Russia refused prOlOngs
the carnage
War for Tribute.
In that act they contend Japan would
change the purpose and character of
the war. which would be no
longer one of principle but degenerate
into a war for the exactiOn Of money.
There is no doubt that the japanese
are worried over this aspect OF the sit
uati0n anG tfsSy do not propose to be
placed in this position If IL can be
helped. With the sentiment existing in
Japan demanding reimbursement for
the expenses of the war money pay
rpent beyond what would be obtained
60 "a Of
oners and the Chinese Eastern railroad
could not be foregOne. But If redemp-
ton by Russia could be placed upon
purely a commercial basis Russia might
agree to it. Logic points in this direc-
ton for the ultimate compromise IL
there is TO be one.
Assistant Secretary PIERCE. after the
announcement of the decision to adj
Journ over till Tuesday. saw both
NJ Witte and Mr.. Takahira and then
sent a long cipher message to the presi-
dent
Although the public tonight was led
20 believe that the meeting was
definitely adjourned until Tuesday, the
Associated Press learned late tonight
: that according TO the joint understand
ing between NJ. White and M. Taxa
hira. il was agreed that there would be
no meeting until JaDan's response to
what may be regarded as Russia's
llItifnatunl arrived The meeting.
therefore. may not be held until Wed
11esday or Thursday Toxic now must
decide. and. judging from the tone OF
the Japanese press, the government
must face a great deal of opposition at
home if IL Yields further Mr.. Placon
acted as Interpreter for NJ. Witte and
Mr.. Takahira at this Interview to-
night
Caused a Sensation.
After the interview NJ Witte called
Mr.. De Martens and Mr.. Pokotilon in
,-oufsrerce The interview between NJ