Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-12
PESSIf1ISn REICNS AT
 THE PEACE CONVENTION
We Has Submitted His Answer But it is Believed to be Unsatisfactory Rupture Expected at Any Minute and Japanese Ready to Order Oyama to Proceed AGainst LinevitCh.

Portsmouth. Aug. 12.-So pessimis- hc is the feeling among those in the confidence of both sides that the pre- diction was made to the Associated Press correspondent that if a meet ing should be held this afternoon, it might be the last and that the history of the Washington conference would be abruptly terminated to-day.
 If negotiations are broken off Oya- ma will immediately give battle to. Linevitch. The Associated Press learns from trustworthy source that Oyama's plans are perfected, his ar. mics are ready and are awaiting the signal that a rupture has occurred, to launch the attack.
 It can be said however that although NJ. Wittes reply is firm on many points it is exceedingly courteous and leaves the way open to discussion If the Japanese are not recalcitrant.
 Portsmouth, N. H., Aug 12-The Russian reply to the Japanese condi' lions of peace was delivered by M. Witte to Baron Komura this morning. The heat was already unendurable when the Japanese and Russian plen,- potentiaries set out for the navy yard about o'clock. The mercury wac dancing in the nineties on the yeranda of the hotel and not breeze of air was stirring, bay and shore seemed swooning in the tropical atmosphere. The foreigners were fairly overcome. thntr hroUS they appeared. The heat evidently af- fected their tempers The grim. seri- ous business on hand upon the issue of which the whole world waits breath lessly, seemed temporarily forgotten in the general execratiOn of the weather.
 NJ. Witte and MT Takahira, wE5 have suffered particularly from the un- precedented heat wave which had held this vaunted summer resort in it's re- entess grip for three days, looked al- most worn out Baron KOmura, with Mir Takahira and M. Witte and Baron Rosen were taken to the navy yard in autos, while the secretaries and at taches went over in launch. The lat ter greeted each other on the wharf with smiles, but there was little cor. iialty and no fraternizlng. The few remarks exchanged were simply the polite amenities and compliments against the weather.
 When they entered the launch they were perforce compelled to again lpeak to each other as they were talk Ing their seats, but before the launch had gone 200 yards the attempt to keep up a conversation ended. Perhaps among the Russians the reserve was less noticeable than among the Japan. ese, but there was little to choose be tween them in this respect. Their strained attitude toward each other 1t had been manifested to the most in- different observer. It seemed bad augury. Indeed pessimism, black pessmism. reigned. It was already well understood that NJ. Witte's reply lpon the two main points was a firm but courteous refusal. He made no concealment of that and such indica. lions as came from their headquarters breathed spirit of implacable resolu- lion to adhere to the refusal. Indeed there were open intimations that un- less the Japanese modified their posi- lions upon this point the attempt to negotiate peace must result in failure, md predictions were made among the Russian correspondents that next week would see the end
 At the same time there was a poplL )ar impression about the hotel that NJ Witte was bluffing. On the other side I 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 none of the main points. There seems good grounds for the statement that the minor conditions were included for the purpose of bargaining. But the otll PTS in substance must stand. In thls condition of affairs there must he sur render on one side or the other or the war will go on. There may still be a chance of peace. but il is based entire ly upon sudden change of the un- compromising attitude of one side O. the other. Predictions are heard that If break comes President Roosevelt will again step into the breach.
 The meeting of the peace conference lhis morning. as indicated in these dis patches last night. was brief. It last pd a little more than an hour. The Russian reply was delivered by NJ. Witte and the meeting adjourned to give Baron komura and his colleague opportunity to examine the document. N. Witte indicated courteously that he would expect the same expedition iE the Japanese response as had been olD- served. in the preparation of the Rus sian reply and was readily assentel The Russian plenipotentiaries immeii- stely returned to the hotel. while the Japanese remained at the navy yard
 Ten minutes after adjournment the two Russian pIenipotentiarieS left the navy yard in their automobile. The Japanese remained in their suite of private offices. To-day the Russian at. faches went to the navy yard in launches. taking with them a number of suit cases in which were records snd documents. indicating that it is their intention tO work today in their suite of offices in the naval stores building
 Soon after the adjournment of the joint session of the pesce pieuiE-gten. tizries and the departure of the Rus ssans from the building. the IapsneSs chief envoys ansi their assistants went into formal session in their private council chamber. taking into consider stfon and preparation for cabling the Russian reply to Tokio-
 ANOTHER BOMB THROWN