The Washington times., 1905-08-28
JAP CONFERENCE
NOW DISCUSSING
THE INDEMNITY
Cabinet Members and
Statesmen Considering
the Question.
THE ENVOYSARE WAITING
Mikado's Advisers May Sug-
gest Smaller Demands
From Russia.
THE ENVOYSA ARE WAITING

TOKYO. Aug. 2S.-The conference OF
were called together in special session
early this morning has been prolonged
for several hours.
It is understood that the question un-
der discussion is the abatement of Jap
from Russia.
Peace Feeling Prevails.
PORTSMOUTH, N X Aug s.
Despite the gloomy phophecies OF the
ENJOYS OF both Russia and Japan that
the next meeting Of the peace confer
e1ce will. in all probability. be the last,
the conviction is gaining ground that
the rrescnt hitch between the two bel
ligerent nations is merely a diplomat tic
struggle for points.
While the official utserances as to the
outcome are pessimistic every indica-
tion seems to warrant the assertion that
each side has as its ultimate aim the
re-establishment of peace II il can be
accomplished without discredit to itself.
One suspicious circumstance is the en-
tire freedom with which the er.vcys de-
clare that there Is no hope for an ad-
Justment of the differences unless con-
cessions are secured from the other
side. The continual postponements OF
the meetings when the only differences
are declared TO be irreconcil;able is an
other straw pointing TO desire to reach
an agreement
Merely Sparring for Time.
There is no doubt but that the envovs
of Japan and Russia are fully acquaint-
ed with the extent of the concessions
which they would be permitted to make
In the framing OF a treaty. They real
ize that the later Instructions from
their home government will ampIify
instead of circumscribe their powers.
Notwithstanding this the enyovs for
nearly week have marked time when
/ the only business before the conference
aside from existing differences. was the.
completion of a few protocols that
would mean nothing If i peace treaty
were not negotiated
III these differences. over which this
diplomatic battle is being waged. are
or such positive nature as they are de-
clared to be, il cannot be understood
by those who studied the situation
carefully, why the ENJOYS of the two
countries fritter away so much time
when they are so loud in the express
sion of their desire to start for their
homes.
The postponement until tomorrow of
the meeting set for today is another in
| dication of the efforts of the plenipo-
tentiaries to find common ground upou
which they can stand
Minister Takahira assigns as the rea-
son for the postponement the fact that
an adjournment of the conference at
this time would be a discourtesy to the
President OF the United States.
| NJ Witte declares that he merely
agreed to the change in arrangements
! 10 accommodate the japanese Yet
from the developments Of the past few
days il is very much doubted that if
/ the Russian and japanese ENJOYS were
as firmly convinced that the peace ne
/ Sotiations will end tomorrow as they
say they arc they would spend so much
| time in the exchange of empty compIi-
! ments
Coolness Between Envoys.
! Then. again. the bitterness which has
developed within the last week would
/ preclude this idea. Up to that time
the utmost good feeling prevailed be
/ tween the respective envoys and the
members of their suites. 1t had even
I been
! expected from the representatives. of
/ two governments engaged in a dis
astrous conflict. But it is noticeable
: that today the greetings OF the ENJOYS
are of the most formal character. and
members Of the opposing suites have
been seen TO pass one another without
; tho customary greetings.
! Unquestionably Japan is furnishing
| every reason for the belief that she in
/ tends 10 exhaust every effort before
/ permitting the peace negotiations 20 be
I brought to conclusion.
This. not because she is over desirous
OF stopping the war of conquest in the
! Orient, nor does il show 4 weakening
I i'm her position. She has taken the cue
! from President Roosevelt, and unless
ali signs fail. proposes 10 place upon
Russia the responsibility for the failure
Of these negotiations. IL that is to be
I the outcome. She has made reasonable
! concessions from her original demands
/ out much consideration. and at Satur-
! days meeting the Russians presented
no answer, although at that time NJ
] Witte had received from the Russian
J government a reply which was in the
| nature of a counter-proposition. At to-
morroHs meeting IL Is believed that
Japan will present some suggestion:
I that will carry the conference over
/ a few days longer.
Additional Concessions?
/ Whether this will take the form OF ad-
ditionaI concessions is not known. but
the presumption is that IT will The
Russian ENJOYS may reject it off-hand
OF refer IL TO the Czar. la any event
IL Will further demonstrate that Russia
and not Japan Is the determined OBJ
stacle in the pathway OF peace.
Why NJ Wltte did not present at Sat