Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-08-17

Portsmouth, y. H., Aug. Ii
There is a rift in the clouds. Pros
poets of a successful issue OF the
washington conference nave
frightened somewhat as the result OF
saturdays developments. Discus
sion of the terms submitted by Japan
has actually Begun, but this has been
accomplished by postponing consider
alton of the question of indemnity
and the cession of Sakhalin, AS far
as ascertainable the japanese were
responsible for the tactics by which
this hopeful stage was entered upon.
AS the mantle of secrecy has been
thrown around the proceedings by
mutual pledges not to divulge what
happened in the council chamber,
there are missing links in the chain
OF evidence and ii is impossible to
Judge whether this signiteu back
down on either side ON the main
points.
On the face OF things both Sides are
still as uncompromising as ever upon
the two issues, the struggle over
them being merely postponed. Some
sort of private understanding arrived
at by Baron Komura and Minister
Witte during recess at the navy
yard Saturday, is limited at, but there
IS not the slightest confirmation OBJ
tainable No evidence of change of
al uncompromising attitude on the
part of Witte or Rosen regarding the
main points is obtainable, Neverthe-
less the Japanese plainly manifest
cation and some of them privately as
sert that Witte would never have con-
scented to discussion of the terms had
he not been prepared to yield on the
question of Saktalin.
All this appears yet to be largely
surmise and deduction, but certainly
the curtain of mystery which has now
been run down might EARLY con.
ceal important manoeuvering from
the public gaze. The Russian reply
with it's non possimus as to indemnity
and Sakhalin had been presented in
the morning. Yet, in spite OF this
fact at o'clock the pientpotentiaries
met and after agreeing TO discuss the
conditions seriatim, entered upon the
consideration of the first Japanese
terms. The proposition to discuss the
conditions in this way is believed to
have emanated from the Japanese
side. First condition of second
ary importance-one of those which
Russia had passed upon as condition
ally acceptable as a basis of discus
siOn-was taken up, yet little prog
ress was made. Four hours were
spent in debating it, but no conclusion
was reached. As there are u condi-
tons and this one is of minor impor-
lance, the outlook is still gloomy,
To Hold Sunday Meei;ng.
The plenipotentiaries at O'Clock
adjourned Until this afternoon. The
japanese wanted to hold a session in
the morning, but Witte would not
agree to this as it was Sunday.
Both of Saturdays sessions are de,
scribed as friendly" but no details
are divulged. Witte, however, makes
TO concealment of the fact that the
rigid secrecy which the Japanese in
sisted upon imposing upon the pro
ceedngs is distasteful to him. With
much earnestness he spoke Saturday
night to the Associated Press upon
the subject. At the time he was la
boring under considerable excitement
because of the published assertion
which had been caTed TO his atten-
ton that he had pleaded for an armis-
tice. For the dignity of Russia and
the pride of his country he asked that
an absolute denial should be given to
the report.
Recurring to the question Of the Sc
crecy of the proceedings he said he
did not understand the japanese de-
sire to conceal what was taking place
nor could he appreciate the logic Of
the arguments adduced in support of
their position
Witte Hates Secrecy.
we DESIRE" said he, that every
thing pertaining to the conference
should be done in the daylight. Rus
STA is ready to be judged by the whole
world. We have nothing to conceal
and nothing TO fear. Before the con-
ference began all sorts Of reports and
misstatements emanated from the
other side. Now that the word
needs enlightenment now that the
moment has come to face the supreme
tribunal Of public opinion, We are not
permitted to place before the world
the evidence in our possession from
which just verdict could be returned
as to the issue between the belliger-
ents. The Russian plenipotentlaries
stand ready to publish the text Of the
Japanese conditions, the full reply of
Russia presented this morning. the
diplomatic notes that have been ex.
changed and the minutes Of the sit.
tings. The issue now being tried at
Portsmouth lis not only question Of