Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-10
GENERAL FEELING or PEsslMlsM PREVAILS
Apprehension that the Negotiations Will
Come to Nsught.
JAPANESE DEMANDS PROBABLY TOO GREAT
No Propositions Were Submitted During
the Day, However
TWO SESSIONS WILL Be HELD DAILY
Minutes of the MeetinHn VIII he
written I'm French and English
Former 20 Control In Case
of Dispute.


PORTSMOUTH, n. H., Aug s-with the
probability that Baron Komura will to-
morrow reveal to the Russian plenpoten-
tiaries the terms under which Japan is
willing 20 conclude peace, opinion to
the outcome among those who are con-
gregated here to watch the proceedings
has become decidedly pessimistic. This is
due TO the growing conviction that Japan's
conditions will not prove az moderate as
were at one time anticipated. and espe-
cially IN the matter OF indemnity. may
preclude the possibility Of their accept
ance by the Russian ENJOYS as a basis
OF negotiation. The firm attitude Of NJ.
Witte IN private conversation against the
payment Of an indemnity and the In
sistent reports emanatlng from Japanese
quarters that stifr war contribution ap-
proximating the cost OF the war variously
estimated at from $500 100000 to $500 900,
constitutes one of Japan's demands indi-
Gates wide IL not an irreconcilable diff
ference between Japans irreducible mini
imum and what Russia IL prepared to ac-
cept.
Upon the question Of the payment OF
a large indemnity the Instructions Of the
Russian pleHipotentiaries are belived to
admit Of no concessions, although II Is
pNo9AbiS NNiNaih NOhipNHadlluu III klnu
might be arranged. For instance, It is
suggested that for the REIMBURSEMENT Of
the island OF Sakhalin. now potentially in
Japan's hands, the possession OF which by
Japan would give II command Of the whole
Siberian littoral, Russia could with pro-
priety pay large sum.
FOrebodinEs May BE Premature.
Gloomy forebodings, however, may be
premature at this juncture, as everything
indicates the plenipotentiaries upon both
sides are sincerely desirous of concluding
treaty Of peace. The first meeting of the
plenipotentiaries today was Of an entirely
informal character, 80 informal in fact that
Baron Komura did not bring his letter Of
credentials TO the Portsmouth navy yard,
whereas M. Witte was armed with the
original document in Russian setting forth
the powers conferred upon him and also
with n translation OF the document
The latter he read. Baron Komura, was
eniharraksads aud altered. TO send TO the
hotel for his seonnntunioation. but M. witte
expressed his faith that the credentials
were fun end ample and It was arranged
that oficial exchange Of credentials should
be made tomorrow. later in the afternoon
copies OF the credentials were formally ex-
changed In order that they might be ex-
amined before the meeting tomorrow.
II is known that the credentials differ
slightly. In exactly what respect could not
be sscertained tonight, but the Associated
Press correspondent Il assured by the Jap
anese and Russian emibsaries that the diff
ference iB not essential and constitutes no
obstacle to the ofncial opening of the neso-
uatons. Indeed the president was ON
eially informed tonight that the credentials
we're fun. ample ana satisfactory TO both
sides.
Tive Sessions Bach Day.
IL Was decided today to hold two daily
sessions, one In the morning beginning at
$50 ana enc In the afternoon beginning
~ TO avoid delay and give the pieni
lpotentlAries and delegates time for consul
tAuon between sessions. It has been ar
ranged that luncheon viii be served at the
navy yard and that the envoys upon leav-
ing their Quarters in the morning will not
return until the afternoon session adjourns.
Three secretaries for each side will be In
attendahce to draw up the protocols OF the
meetings, which will be written In both
English ana French
The French text, however, in case Of
. dispute will be accepted in evidence (faire
fob. The ofnelal versions of today's meet
ing given out by each side described It as
'satisfActory" ana other accounts indi-
cate that while everything passed OF
amicably considerable reserve was dis
played upon both sides.
Baron Komura. whom NJ. witte had met
in ST. Petersburg during the formers serv-
Ice as japanese minister there was pleas
antly greeted by the chief Russian envoy
in French, but the haron was Obliged to
shake his head and turn to his secretary.
Mr.. Honda who explained that Baron
Komura bad forgotten the little French he
knew while in St. Petersburg While the
Russian plenipotsntiaries expect the Japa-
nese TO present the Japanese terms imme-
diately upon the oficial exchange OF Gre
dentials tomorrow, they admit they are
in the dark. Baron Komura and his col
leagues decline to give any intimation OF
their course OF procedure.
Pursuing the tactics which they have
constantly followed in all their diplomatic
and military operations. they are carefully
guarding all their plans regarding the pres
ent meeting. There was some disposition
today TO attribute Baron Komura's forget
fulness IN not bringing his credentials to
the meeting to a desire TO spar for time.
and for that reason some doubt was ex-
pressed whether the japanese will show
their hands tomorrow, but the Russians do
not question Baron Komura's good faith
omeiaI Calls Exchanged.
This evening the amenities were observed
by general exchange Of cards NJ. witte.
Bs ron ROsen and his suite sending theirs
through the hotel once, while the cards OF
tho Japanese mission were left at the doors
of the members OF the Russian mission BY
A little japanese messenger boy.
Commanders winslow and Gibbons also
Wade their official calls upon the two mis-
] Iions late this afternoon
The japanese and Russian newspaper
correspondents have broken the ice and
have begun to fraternize. II is perhaps
Significant that the correspondents on both
sides are sending to their respective homes
dispatches OF anything but an optimistic
character. In the opinion OF the Russians
the emperor's manifesto promulEating the
national assembly project will materially
strengthen the position OF the Russian en-
voys by relieving the internal situation
= Because the Russians like 20 smoke while
az the table, the entire Russian mission