The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-24
Russia Flatly Refuses to Pay
an Indemnity
Even Though 1t Be Presented
Under Another Name.
CONFERENCE CLOSES
For the Day With Peace No
Nearer Than Before.
Will Meet Again Saturday for a
Written Reply.

St Petersburg, Aug. 24.@The cor
respondent of Reuters Telegram COM
pany was today authorized by Count
Lamsdorff, the foreign minister. to
state officially and in the most formal
manner that Russia will pay Japan no
contribution, direct or indirect, nor will
it make any cession of territory what
ever.
Portsmouth, N. H, Aug. 24.-The
Japanese plenipotentiaries at the con-
clusion of the Wednesday afternoon
session of the peace conference threw
the card upon the table. 1t was the
dramatic moment-the moment to
which all the previous proceedings of
the conference had led. The protocols
involving agreement upon eight of the
twelve conditions originally presented
by Japan, had been signed. One side
or the other must make move or the
plenipotentiaries had reached the part
ing of the ways.
The adversaries faced each other
across the table. OF course, it was well
understood what would happen, but
that in a way, only made it more
dramatic. Figuratively, President
Roosevelt suddenly entered the con-
ference room. NJ. Witte sat silent and
passed to Japan.
Baron Komura in a few words ex-
planned that Japan in it's great desire
for peace was ready to make certain
mt notifications" of the original articles
in the hope that Russia could find it
possible to accept them. He then pre-
Sented in writing to M. Witte the COM
promise proposition which President
Roosevelt had suggested. 1t was con-
crete and specific and it. followed the
lines outlined in these dispatches. 1t
offered to withdraw article 8. provid-
ing for the payment by Russia of Jap
ans bill for the cost of war, on condi-
tiOnS that Russia would accept article
5, which provides for the cession of
the island of Sakhalin, so modified as
to include an arrangement for the re-
purchase by Russia of the northern
half of the island for /. 200. 600 900 ven
In addition. it offered to withdraw en-
tirely articles IL and 2 Surrender of
the interned warships and limitation
upon Russians sea power in the Far
| EaSt).
It was President Roosevelt's COM
promise and M. Witte knew its con-
! tents as well as Baron Komura- The
question of whether he has been bluff
hng'' was put to the test.
Without a moments hesitation M.
Witte explained that the modification
proposition was merely sham,
change of phraseology, a diplomatic
attempt to "dorer la piIule'' and ask
Russia to pay war tribute under an
other name. He could not accept it.
He told Baron Komura Russia wanted
peace 1t had given the proofs in ac-
cepting every article involving the is
sues upon which the war was fought,
but it could fight and money for tribute
it would not pay, not kopek- He
asked Baron Komura to withdraw all
demands for tribute. And so the
plenipotentiaries separated, to meet
again Saturday, ostensibly to permit
NJ Wftte to place in writing, as the
rules of the conference require, his
reply to the Japanese compromise
proposition.
Roosevelt Is Waiting.
Oyster Bay Aug. 24.-President
Roosevelt is awaiting developments in
the pending negotiations for peace.
Beyond his direct appeal to Emperor
Nicholas of Russia. he does not feel
that he can go further at this time.
There are reasons for the statement
that the president has made some rep
reservations to the Toxic government,
but whether they were made direct to
the japanese emperor is not known.
No confirmation of the report, how
ever, is obtainable here. Secretary
Barnes said today that Ambassador
Meyers report of his audience with the
czar cab1ed yesterday from st. Peters,
burg has not been received.
Assistant Secretary Peirce at Ports
mouth is keeping the president ad-
vised constantly Of the developments
| of the conference.
Kaiser Expresses Interest.
Berlin, Aug. 24.-Emperor William.
| the correspondent is informed, has ex-
pressed to the members of his entour-
age his cordial recognition of Presi-
| dent Roosevelts efforts for peace and
hi shopes that they will prove success
| full
Precisely what the president is doing
seems to be unknown to the German
government, but the postponement of
| the sittings of the conference is re-
garded as indicating that both bellig-
erents desire to prolong the negotia-
tions and that each is seeking fresh
grounds for agreement.
All Russian shares were higher on
the bourse today, bonds advancing
/ $40 of a point, Russian bank stock
1A and Warsaw & Vienna railroad
stocks 4 Il.
INDEMNITY BARS PEACE.
1t Is the Only Stumbling Block in the