The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-13
If Japan Has Spoken the Final Word
in Her Demand for an Indemnity
Covering the Cost of The War and
for the Cession Of Sakhalin, The
Russians are Satisfied that Treaty
of Peace Cannot Possibly, be Nego-
tiated. 1t is Manifest that Japan
Will Not ReCede from Her Position.
The Conference Expected TO End
Within a Week.
i(By the Associated Press. }


Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. illus,
sia's reply to the Japanese terms OF
peace will be delivered by Mr.. Wittc to
baron komnra at $3.50 O'Clock tOmor-
row morning. The reply is written,
there being two texts, one in French,
the other in English. Upon the two
crucial points, indemnity and the Cc.-
ison of the Island OF SakhaiiD. the re-
ply is an absolute non-possumus. Othci
points are accepted as bases for discus
sion while still others are accepted
COnditiOnaily.
The reply is rather long because In
enumerating the conditions upon which
discussion is admitted and those upon
which consideration is declined, rea-
sons and arguments are given. The
Japanese plcnipotentiaries are expect
ed to ask for an immediate adjourn
ment to examine and prepare their re-
ply Mr.. White will probably intimate
that the Russian plenipotentiaries OK
pect the Japanese to display as much
expedition as they (the RussianS) i,
have shown in the preparation of their
response. Monday, therefore, Is eX
pected to be the day on which the
general discussion Will begin. Neither
side wants to indulge in diplomatic
sparring. The time for fencing is
over and less than week must de-
eide whether = basis of peace is pos
siblc.
The yellow Sphinx.
The tactics of the Japanese are in
Scrutable. They have shown through
Out the war this ability to guard their
secrets, military. naval and diplomatic.
and now not the remotest clue comes
nom behind their closed doors as to
whether they are prepared to make
substantial concessions. Silence and
secrecy are their WatchW ords. Sut ii
the conditions as submitted constitute
their last word, hope OF peace may be
regarded as having disappeared If the
FEELING reflected lin Russian circles *
d true criterion.
And that no substantial concessions
on the main issues will be made is the
belief both in Russian and Japanese
circles. Tonight in the camps of both
plenipotentiaries the deepest pessi-
mism reigns. Mr.. iWtte it is positively
Known. believes the prospects of an
-.gfeement are SO remote as to be
practically nil. He has no desire to pro-
Iong the agony and instead of fencing
when the plenipotentiaries come to-
gether after the Japanese have had
the opportunity to examine the reII'
there is strong reason to believe he
Will not only welcome but will insist
upon an immediate discussion of all
the proposed bases. So pessimiStic is
he that he has already been talking
to his colleagues of his plans when the
rupture come. Before sailing for
home he contemplates brief visit to
Chicago.
Japan Will Not Recede.
That the Japanese terms, in so far
as they touch the main points will
not be withdrawn or materially modl-
fled is the opinion of the most compe-
tent Japanese authority on the ground
who will talk for publication, namely
Mr.. Julie Kumpei Matsumato, a mem
Der of tn Japanese Parliament, who
is here as a financial emissary of ia
pan and who is in close communication
with Baron Komura and Mr.. Takahira.
The reasons he assigns are extremely