The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-12
PEACE TOTTERS.
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attitude toward each other could have
been manifest to the most Indifferent
observer.
A Bad Augury.
It seemed a bad augury. Indeed, pes
sinism reigned. 1t was already well
understood that Mr.. Whites reply upon
| the two main points was a firm but
courteous refusal. The Russians had
made no concealment of that and such
indications as came from their head
quarters breathed spirit of implacable
resolution to adhere to the refusal In
deed, there were open intimations that
unless the JapeneSe modified their posi-
| tionS upon these points the attempt to
negotiate peace must result in failure
and predictions were freely made among
| the Russian correspondents that next
week would see the end.
| At the same time there was a popular
| impression about the hotel that Mr..
White was "bluffing." On the other side,
similar but even more impressive at
titude of determination was observed.
They seem sure of their position and
their strength. The japanese acted as
if their minds were made up. They
would discuss but yield nothing on the
main points. There seems good warrant
for the statement that two of the minor
conditions were included for the pur-
pose of bargaining, but that the others
in substance must stand. In this con-
dition of affairs there must be surren-
der on one side or the other or the war
will go on. There may still be chance
| of peace but it is based entirely upon a
sudden change of the uncompromising
attitude of one side OF the other Pre-
dictions are heard that if a break comes
President Roosevelt will again step n
to the breach.
Sudden End Looked For.
st. Petersburg, Aug. IA dispatch
IL = hot
unless there is very substantial abate-
ment of the demands Of the Japanese
which is unlikely, the peace conference
will come to a sudden conclusion. The
two nations are so wide apart that all
hope of agreement has been practically
abandoned here. 1t is probable the next
session will end in a final adjournment
and that Mr.. Witte may sail for home
very shortly.
Oyama Ready to Fight.
| Soon after the adjournment of the
| joint session of the peace ENJOYS and
the departure of the Russians. from the
| building, the Japanese chief ENJOYS
and their assistants went into formal
session in their private council cham
| Der. taking into consideration and pre-
pairing for cabling the Russian reply
| to Toxic.
| The action of Baron Komura in an
nouncing Immediately upon the deliv-
cry of the Russian response that the
! Japanese would De prepared TO meet
the Russian ENJOYS again at either 3
o'clock today or tomorrow, produced
a distinctly unfavorable impression,
| To fix the time of meeting in advance
| of an examination of the reply was
/ interpreted as evidence that the Jap
| aneSe mind was made up and that
such concessions as they were prepared
| to make had been agreed upon in adj
vance and only remained to be for
mulated. Mr.. White, however is be-
| li6VRd tn have CfiOa IIV outlined the
reply in presenting it, SO that Komura
knew the substance of the Russian
answer.
So pessimistic is the feeling among
those in the condolences of both sides
that the prediction was made to the
Associated Press that if a meeting
should be held today it might be the
last and that the history of the Wash
concluded today.
If the negotiations are broken off
Oyama will Immediately give battle to
Linevitch. The Associated Press learns
from an unimpeachable source that
Oyama's plans are perfected, his
armies are ready and only await the
signal that a rupture has occurred to
launch his attack.
The Russian reply to the japanese
terms delivered has been outlined al
lready. Upon the two points-indem-
nifty and cession. of Sakhalin-it de-
clined to admit discussion Others il
accepts and still others it accepts con-
ditionally. 1t is long taking up the
conditions and setting forth reasons
and arguments for the decision.
Russia's Argument
The argument against the payment
OF an indemnity or the cessiOn of ter
ritory is based on the general theory
that Russia is not responsible for the
war and that as Russia is still pre-.
pared to continue the struggle. and
has sought this meeting not as a van
quished country begging for terms but
because she sincerely desired peace
II honorable peace is possible, there
fore she could neither agree to foot
Japan's bill for war expenses nor cede
territory The argument can be fairl1
stated as follows: Russia is not van,
quished. She has suffered reverses
but she is not obliged to accent Deacf
at any cost. She desires. peace now
as she always has, even before Japar
opened hostilities.
That Russia did not court or wan
war was evident by the fact that sht
was not prepared for it, either in I
military. naval nor administrative
sense. Russia could possibly be prop
erly accused of only one thing-e
having given the occasion which
Japan was seeking and for which
Japan had been preparing for tel
years to make war upon her. The re
sponsibitty for the war therefore fall
on Japan and not on Russia.
When the meeting adjourned tn
ENJOYS of each side retired to their re
spective private rooms. M. White de
cided, in view of the possibility 0
another meeting today, not to return
to the hotel and telephoned that tn
morning newspapers and telegram
should be sent to the yard.
IN SHADOW OF BUFFALO MOUND
Topeka Campers Are Having Joll
Time