The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-08-15

Portsmouth, \. H, August 12.-
There is a rift i'll the clouds. The
prospects of a successful issue of the
washington Conference" have bright
eDed somewhat as Il result of tOday's
developments. The discussion of the
terms submitted by Japan has actually
begun, but this has been accomplished
by pOstpOning the consideration Of the
two main issues, indemnity and the
eessiOn of Sakhaln. SO far as ascer-
NfnabteSthe Japanese were responsible
for the tactics by which this hopeful
stage was entered upon. AS the man
the proceedings by mutual pledges not
to divuIge what happened within the
council chamber, there are missing
links in the chain Of evidence, and it is
impossible to judge whether this sig
nifies back down on either side on the
main points. On the face of things,
both sides are still us uncomprOmising
as ever upon the two issues, the Strug
gle over them being merely postponed.
Some sort of private understanding ar
rived at by Baron Komura and NJ.
Witte during the recess at the navy
yard today is pointed at, but there is
not the slightest confirmation obtain
able No evidence of a change of the
uncOmprOmising attitude on the part
of NJ Witte or Baron Rosen regarding
the main points is observable. Never
thelesS the Japanese who are attached
to the Nippon mission plainly manifest
eIatiOn and some of them privately as
sert that NJ. Witte would never have
consented to the discussion of the
terms had he not been prepared to
yield to the question of Sakhalin.
The Russian reply, with its non-pos-
sumus as to indemnity and Sakahlln,,
had been presented in the morning.
Yet, in spite of this fact, at ) O'CLOCK
the Observation-Disclosures met and after
agreeing to discuss the conditions Sc
riatim, entered upon the consideration
of the first of the Japanese terms. Inc
proposition to discuss the conditions III
this way is believed to have emanated
from the Japanese side. The first con-
ditiOn was of secondary Importance
one of those which Russia had pass
ed upon as conditionally acceptable as
n basis of discuSSiOn-yet little prog
ress was made. Four hours were spent
in debating it, but no conclusion was
rea ched. AS there are twelve cOnul-
tiOns and this one is of minor lmpor-
tance, the outlook is still gloomy. Inc
Observation-Disclosures at o'clock adjourn
ed until tomorrow afternoon at
O'Clock. The Japanese wanted to noid
a session in the morning, but NJ. Wilte
would not agree to this, as 1t was sun
day.
Both of today's missions are de-
scribed' as friendly" but no details
are divulged NJ. Witte however
makes no concealment of the fact that
the rigid secrecy which the japanese
insisted upon imposing upon the pro
ceedings is distasteful to him. Wlth
much earnestness he spoke tonignt 10
the Associated Press correspondent
upon the subject At the time he was
laboring under considerable excitement
because of the published assertion
which had been called to his attentloh
that be had pleaded for an armsllce.
For the dignity of Russia ana tue
pz.ide of his country he asked that al
absolute denial should be given to the
report.
The Russian reply to the japanese
terms delivered by NJ. Witte to Baron
Komura was outlined in the AsSoclat-
ed Press dispatches last night UpSh
the two points-indemnity and cessIon
of Sakahlin-it declines to admit dis
cussiOn Others it accepts and still
others it accepts conditionally. 1t is
long, taking up the conditions serlatim,
and setting forth the reasons and ar
euments for the decision reached III
each case. The argument against the
payment of an indemnity or the cession
of territory is based upon the general
theory that Russia is not responsible
for the war and that Russia is still
prepared to continue the struggle and
has sought this meeting not as van
quished country begging for terms, but
because she sincerely desired peace If
50 Th0rpfnrQ