The news & observer., 1905-08-15

was seeking and for which Japan had
been preparing for ten years, to make
war upon her. The responsibility for
the war therefore falls upon Japan
and not upon Russia"
1t can be said, however. that al
though firm on the main points Mr..
Whites reply is exceedingly courteous
in form and tone, and leaves the way
open to discussion and negotiation if
the Japanese are willing.
A Fog of Guessers.
Many of the observers at the Went
worth tonight recalled the fact that
all the statements emanating from
Japanese sources before the confer
ence declared that Japan before con-
senting to take up the detailed discus
sion of the conditions would insist up
on a general agreement upon the ba-
sis it was asserted with great positive
ness that Japan would never consent
to discuss the terms seriatim until
such an agreement had been reached.
From this many argue that Japan
is prepared to yield. Others believe
on the contrary, that a private assur-
ance has been given Baron komurd
outside the conference chamber that
Russia would discuss all the basses
proposed.
Mr. Witte has arranged to attend re-
ligious services tomorrow morning.
This evening he remarked laughingly
I'm not a Japanese" He added: Il
did not want session of the confer
ence tomorrow morning. l am good
Christian and desire to attend servl-
ces on the Sabbath. AS there is no
Orthodox Church here 1 shall go TO
the Protestant Church.
1t is believed that the condition dis
question of the evacuation of Manchu-
ria and the transfer of the Russian
leases to Japan.
Baron Komura and Mr.. Takahirea
dined tonight at Assistant Secretary
Peirce's and did not return to the no.
tel until IL O'Clock. Mr.. Witte after
dinner saw a number of people, and
at 10 o'clock told the men stationed
at the door that as he had several
hours work before him no turther
cards should be brought in. He sent
for Mr.. Shipoff and Mr.. Pokotiloff
and the lights were still burning at
midnight
Tough OH Foreigners.
Conditions here so far as the ar
rangements for the comfort of the
plenipotentiaries go are far from sat
is factory and in any accurate reflec-
ton of events here 1t is impoSSlDel
not to take notice of the complaints
heard on all sides. The fact that for
eigners do not live as Americans do
has not been taken into account 6y
the hotel management and little ef-
fort has been made to provide for
their personal comfort. For instance,
the Russians, who are in the habit
drinking tea at odd times cannot OBJ
tain their customary beverage except
during regular hours. a group or
foreigners were sitting on the veranda
last night indulging in cooling drinks
one of the hotel employees appeared
and withmout the slightest warning
turned out all the lights. An 1mmedi-
ate protest was made but the only
reply was: Lights must be put out
at 1890" 1t was one minute past
thatuhour Indignant at this treat
mentone of the party after some dir
ficulty found the key and turned on
the lights.
If one of the ENJOYS, after working
in his room until midnight Wlsnes
something to eat it is impossible to
get it. The Russian mission was forc-
ed to leave the dining room because
Mr.. Witte could not smoke WhHs
drinking his coffee. They are now
crowded into a small room on the sec
ond floor where are two tables arrang-
ed close together The Japanese pre-
ferred to forfeit the luxury OF Gig
arctic with their coffee rather than
swelter in a warm room.