The Washington times., 1905-08-16

PORTSMOUTH. y. H. Aug. 1.-THE
peace conference is nearly over. ! have
ordered my laundry TO be ready for
packing BY Friday"
IN this way one Of the peace plenipo-
tentaries expressed his belief that the
ENJOYS OF the Czar VIII take their de-
parture from Portsmouth, AT the end Of
this weel--
That elusive bird. the dove of peace,
which has been lowering in the vicinity
of the parley precincts at Portsmouth
during the past week, seems 5o have
spread lis wings and migrated 20 some
Othe- location.
Enjoys Strike a Snag.
The envoys have truck Il snag in .heIr
deliberations.
There is much talk here today that the
plenipoteniaries win soon pack grips
and trunks and return home
All the diplomats here wear a depress-
ed air this morning Asked as 10 the
outlook for q continuance of the confer
ence. some shrugged shoulders and de-
| clined to express opinions Others be-
lieved the negotiations would be abrupt
~ terminated within the next few days.
1t seems improbable, they declare. that
| the ENJOYS can reach an agreeament on
the very important question as TO wheth-
er Sakhalin Island should be ceded 10
Japan. as demanded in the peace terms
submitted TO NJ. Witte BY Baron ko-
mura.
Car Is Determined.
The Russian diplomats stated emphat-
ically today that the Car is firmly re-
solved tha- haIin Island remain Rus
sian territory. and that the japanese
must recede from tl.eir position or this
question OF the Car viii Instruct NJ.
White ro return hone.
! The Japanese at Portsmouth are to-
day awaiting an answer from the Mi
kado To Il dispatch sent by Baron ko-
muTa telling the ruler that M Wttte
! has declared il is impossible for Russia
TO & mt Japan.s demand for the acqui-
Sition of SaEhaln.
Russia's One Victory.
] Russia has achieved one victory in
| connection with the Chinese Eastern
Railway. The part of the road extend
! ing from Port Arthur TO Harbin, Rus
sia cedes TO Japan. out japanese pos
+ session VIII not extend right up 10 Har-
/ hin. Il certain short stretch. about twesz-
! ~ miles in length, being retained Dy
Russia. who IS also permitted TO retain
| The stretch Of railroad running from
/ Harbin IN FIadivostOk.
THIS q really lilpol IslllL tDaltCSSlDA
| on the part Of Japan. for il indicates nor
/ tie first time her intention not TO dis
( JUrb Russia in her possession OF Nlad1-
! VcStok and its fortress, but To allow
/ her 10 retain yhis ice-backed harbor.
Sakhalin a Bugbear.
| 1t is now known that when the enveys
agreed TO disagree on the fifth article
they drew up a long document setting
forth plainly their wide divergence in
views. This paper was signed by the
principal ENJOYS of both parties. The
tone OF the note is said 10 be final
! There is nothing in it of a temporary
nature. If the ENJOYS return to 1t for
| future deliberations, The paper indicates
| that those deliberations viii be 4 pure
/ y perfunctory nature.
Few observers have any hope that
! the second consideration of the SAX
| haliC problem viii change anything.
| The prevailing opinion is that this sub
! Ject has been disposed Of once and for
all. 50 far as the ENJOYS are concerned.
! Meanwhile lengthy cables from the
! Emperor of Japan and of Russia have
/ been received, and the clerks for the
| two parties are busy translating the
| messages from cipher. Just what bear
/ ing these will have upon the days ne
+ SotiauOnS in 4 matter for con lecture
''Sakhaiin has been made the bug
| bear of these peace negotiations" re-
| marked a member OF the Japanese suite
/ this morning
but the question of cession Is one
pable OF adjustment with honor and
/ satisfaction to both governments If tha
desire OF the Russians is sincerely for
peace.
Japan now holds The islands by right
or conquest. The Russian garrison has
surrendered, and The japanese have gone