The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-24

| rWW, Uuu OUpNucOp AAsVVSS - A>s9
appointed-Plan Of Purchase Of SAX
hahn and Application Of Price Of Chi
nose Eastern Railway to Sstisfying
| Japan's Dema nds Docs Not Appeal to
| Witte and Rosen-President RoOse-
volts Enorts still Give Hope That the
| Portsmo uth Conference VIII Not Fail.
PORTSMOUTH. N. H., Aug. 2s.-The hope
Of peace held out last night In the knowledge
that the Japanese ENJOYS would make
concessions waned perceptibly to-day,
for the Russians have assumed an uncom-
promising attitude, have in fact virtually
refused to accept the proposals OF their
adversariea. In the disposition OF the pleni-
potsntiaries to 60 slowly and conserva-
lively, however. Lies the chance Of favor
able outcome.
The situation is exceedingly uncertain,
and for that reason, il for no other, Is more
intensely interesting than 1t has been at
any time since tho Portsmouth conference
was begun.
When the ENJOYS met to-day; after q
recess since last Friday. they realized that
tho crucial moment had come. The Rus
SLAMS went to the conference room prepared
to agree to final adjournment II the jap
anese did not bring forward reasonable
plan for q solution Of the deadlock at which
the conference had arrived
Their position was strengthened by the
advices which they received last night
from their Government to stand fast to
their refusal to pay cent Of tribute or
cede an inch OF territory. It was no sur
prise to them when Baron Komura and
Mr.. Takahira proposed a settlement that
was In the nature Of modification OF the
Japanese terms, now no longer the 'ir-
reducible minimum supp osed to be repre-
sented in the list Of conditions precedent
to peace presented by the Mikado's repre-
sentatives on the second day Of the con-
ference.
But the Russians were not impressed with
a sense OF the magnanimity Of Japans
offer. They were frank in expressing their
belief that it would not be acceptable to
st. Petersburg, and after some discussion
the ENJOYS agreed to take recess until
next Saturday in order to give both sides
the opportunity Of thinking things over and
OF communicating with their respective
governments.
THE JAPANESE PROPOSAL.
In effect, according to the Russian view.
the compromise proposal Of Japan Is q
combination Of old points Of difference in
a new dress. II involves a division Of the
island of Sakhalin between Russia and
Japan and financial arrangement concern
ing the Eastern Chinese Railway, built by
the Russian Government, in exchange for
the payment to Japan Of an amount OF
money approximating the cost Of the war,
less the amount realized by Japan through
the pecuniary scheme affecting the railway.
In other words. Jaran proposed that the
Russians buy back part Of Sakhain, with
the understanding that fair appraise-
ment Of the value Of the railway or the
sum obta ined through it's sale should be
deducted from the total Of the money spent
by the Japanese Government in prosecuting
the existing war against Russia.
RUSSIANS STILL SAY NO INDEMNITY.
Mr. w lite and Baron Rosen, as anxious
az they are for peace, were not pleased
over the suggestion for a settlement put
forward by Baron Komura and Mr.. Taxa
hira. In the course Of the discussion that
followed the presentation Of Japan's plan
to break the deadlock the probable amount
that Russia would be required to pay was
mentioned tentatively, and 1t was consider
ably In excess Of $500 900 900.
But the proposal that Russia should pay
such a vast sum to her victorious enemy
Is not the reason for the opposition which
is shown by the Czar's ENJOYS to the scheme
Of adjustment. They take the ground that
under whatever guise the payment Of money
to Japan Is sought It is nevertheless an
indemnity. and an indemnity Russia will not
pay. II the present position Of that Govern
ment ia honestly held and adhered to.
To the Russian mind a. the o4se was ex-
planned this evening by prominent men,
Der Of the Cars mission, remuneration
for the costs Of the war and the repurchase
Of sakhalin are synonymous with indem-
nifty, e word that has come to be regarded
by the Russians az reflection upon their
national and personal honor and pride.
It will be seen, therefore. that the Ruselan
plenipotentiaries are not attempting to
deceive themselves as to thu real meaning
Of Japan's new compromise scheme. and
refuse TO be placed In tho poaition Of merely
DEwEYs RICH CLAREr WINES