The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-22

Portsmouth, n H., August l9.-All
hope here that the peace negotiations
may be saved from break on Tuesday
is fastened to the proposition which
Baronde Rosen is bringing from the
President to NJ. Witte.
This proposition, it is understood,
concerns only Russia's position, and, it
it shall prove acceptable to Russia, will
be presented to M. Witte as soon as it
shall have received the sanction of the
emperor. When M. Witte retired to-
night he was ignorant of the nature OF
the proposition. All that he knew
about it was the fact that at midnight
last night he was aroused by message
from the President brought to him by
Assistant Secretary Pierce requesting
that he send Immediately to Oyster
Bay, Baron de Rosen, or some Other
confidential agent of high rank to .e-
ceive a message of the most confiden-
tial nature and urgent Importance. NJ.
Witte went at once to Baron de Ro-
sens room and requested him to go to
Oyster Bay at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
Late tonight NJ Witte was advised
by Baron de Rosen that he was leaving
Oyster Bay and expected to reach here
some time tomorrow morning. The
japanese plenipOtentiaries are yet
without any official knowledge of Ba-
ron de ROsen's visit to Oyster Bay.
Baron Komura and Mr.. Takahira do
not expect that the proposition vii!
gestiOn from the President, but in case
it shall be acceptable to Russia they
expect to see its effect in modification
of the Russian attitude. The Associat-
ed Press is authorized to say that ia
pan has implicit confidence in the Pres
ident, and although without any official
knowledge of this latest movement, he
Japanese plenipOtentiaries feel certain
that the President is acting not only
in behalf Of peace, but as much in the
interest Of Japan as Russia; that before
Baron de Rosen arrived at Oyster bay
the President was in full possession of
JaDan'S views and knew on what points
she might under certain conditions
Weld and what demands were regarded
as essential ana unchanged. Japan, 1t
can be stated, must some how be re-
imbursed for the cost Of war. Unless
the emperor shall change his position,
which his plenipOtentiaries do not Tor
moment believe is probable, Russia
must yield on article nine (war indem-
nity) or Japan will be forced to con-
tinue the war.
The Associated Press is further au-
thOrized to say that the Japanese plen-
ipOtentiaries have not recommended 10
their government a retract1on OF the
principle for which the war was fought
and for which Baron KOmura and Mr..
Takahira have been striving earnestly
throughout the conference.
Up to midnight neither Baron komu-
ia nor Mr.. Takahira had received from
the President en- invitation to go to
Oyster Bay, but it is regarded as not
improbable that the President after his
conference with Baron de Rosen may
desire further information regarding
Japan'S position in this crisis and 10
obtain this, may request Takahira 10
come TO Oyster Bay for conference.
Should such an invitation be received,
the minister would leave Immediately
Unless, however, the President wishes
to know something more about the
Japanese demands the members of the
Japanese mission here can see no occa-
sion for visit to Oyster Bay by one of
their number.
The rumor in circulation here tonight
that resentment was felt in Japanese
circles at the action of the President in
sending for Baron de Rosen is authori-
tatively denounced as false Indeed
Japanese welcome this final effort OF
the President to serve the cause OF
peace
Before the peace conference was 8
certainty the President assured Japar
of his hearty sympathy with her insist
.ence that any negotiations initiate.