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NOT A "KOPECK."

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NOT A "KOPECK." M. Witte's Inflexible Attitude. Japanese Equally Stubborn. (Press Association War Special.) ( Portsmouth, Thursday, 3 p.m.—The fol- lowing official account of the morning s pro- ceedings was issued: "The plenipotentiaries were occupied with the discussion of Article IX. (indemnity). Not being able to reach a unanimous de cision the conferenca decided to record the divergence of views manifested and to pro ceed with the discussion of the following article: "The commissioners hastened over lunch- eon in order that the conference might pro- ceed, and the sitting was resumed shortly after two o'clock. As regards Article IX. it transpires both aides were obdurate and neither would YIeld an inch, agreement being found impose o e. It was decided to proceed with the con- sideration of Article X., which provides that Russia shall surrender her interne warships in the Far Eastern ports to Japan. This article was under discussion wnaa the conference rose.. It can be almost certainly stated that the two remaining articles, discussion of which has not yet begun, are Article XI., the limitation of Russia's naval power in the Far East, and Article XII., the grant to Japan of fishing rights in Russian waters from Vladivostok to the Behnng Sea. "RUSSIANS ABANDON ALL HOPE." (Press Association War Special.) Paris, Friday-—The "Matin" has re- ceived the following telegram from Ports- mouth ;-Amoog members of the Russian Mission all hope of a happy result to nego- tiations is abandoned. The "Petit Parisien's" fcu. Petersburg correspondent states that a rumour is cur- rent that neutral powers have proposed a compromise in the Sakhalin question by which Japan would take possession of the island, but Russia would receive part of Northern Manchuria, enabling her to main- tain control of the Harbm-Vladivistcck Railway. VIRTUAL CONCESSION OF SAKHALIN (Press Association War Special.) New York, Friday.—The "Sun" publishes the following:— According to an understanding arrived at yesterday, the Russians have virtually con- sented to Japanese having limited possession of Sakhalin, but under the condition that it shall not be fortified or used as a base for naval oppratiom. No absolute compromise was reacnea, however, and the matter will be taken up again later. MINGLED HOP171 AND DETECTION AT PORTSMOUTH. (Press Association War Special.) Portsmouth Friday.—An important con- ference w" held in M. Witte's rooms shortly before midnight. It was attended bv Baron von Rosen, Professor Martens, Tarmaloff, M. Pokotiloff, M. Shipoff, and Captain Roussine. This is the first time that there has been a full meeting of plenipotentiaries and dele- gates since the conference began. AS the preliminary discussion of the Jap- anese terms has virtually ended, it is not improbable that the final report and re- commendations of the Russian plenipoten- tiaries were drawn up and transmitted to the Czar at Peterhcf. It may be stated that the indivdual views of members of the Russian mission differ re- garding what should be yielded if a com- promise is to be offered. Some favour the cession of Sakhalin while others would ra- the, pay an indemnity. Ncne of them is ready to give up both. It is declared that during t.ie Russo-Japa- ne conferences the Japanese repeatedly manifested an apparent disposil -n to couple the consideration of these disputed points. Thir might, be taken to indicate willing- ness to bargain at the end. The Russians watched these indications with grtort. in- terest. waiting for their adversaries to press ) the matter, but not showing their hands. M. Sato is quoted as having 6&id "To. morrow the Japanese will again propose the considera-tion of the articles passed over." If this is correct the Japanese may ha decided openly to propose the joint consideration of the two questions. The predictions of a final rupture to-day will certainly not be justified unless Baron Komura formally announces that it is use less to proceed. M. Witte will at least ce precipitate. After Articles 11 and 12 are disposed of ue wii favour an adjournment until Monday for the last word from St. Petersburg. The only basis for the prevailing pessi- mism is the fact that no progress was made yesterday. The preliminary exchange of vie ..a in the morning concerning Article 9 flealing with remuneration for the cost of the Wi., showed at once tLat a wide difier- ence of opinion existed and the article was passed over. Article 10, dealing with the interned war- ships, 1 was also passed over, not because it couid not be arranged, but because, with the shadow of the main points in dispute hanging over tl onference, both sidee were cautious and preferred a 1 postponement. Thi statement is made ,n the authority! of one of the plenipotentiaries. Article 11, dealing with the limitation of Russia's sea power in the Far East, is also capable of adjustment after modification, and Article 12 at present shows no difficui- tie- Thus the situation is practically me sanK as when M. Witte on Saturday pre- sented the Russian reply with its aoa-poe- sumus to Articles 5 and 9, the cession of Sakhalin and payment of an indemnity. A3 regards the hope of a compromise, M. Sato's remark, "We are Jlu rs," may be significant. Frcm an authoritative Japanese source a distinctly bad impression is given regard- ing the outlook. The hope, however was expressed that if the conference seemed to be going to pieces Mr. Roosevelt might again step in. ° The same authoritv said, "It looks bad. say so and believe so. We came asking only what we w~ited. Our terms are mod- erate. The world thinks so. M. Witte has been and has done what he could, but he has his future at home to fn?have heard that Mr. Roose- r 'uanJs rfU^Lt us to»ether, washed his hands of further responsibility, but P(>ns he is resourceful and might I do some- thing. Asked what Mr. Roosevelt might do ha only replied, I cannot say." J NO PRECEDENT FOR A WAR TRIBUTE. (Press Association War Special.) Portsmouth (U.S.A.)—Professor Maar+^sis, interviewed by the Associated ""ess, said there was no precedent in hietorv where a country, whose territory was not occupied wholly or partially by the enemy, had paid 8Ii!I \var tribute upon the conclusion of peace. Russia was not crushed, she was not on her knees begging 'for peace. She wanted peace, but would go on fighting for years. Japan had not even approached th Russian frontier. Should Russia consent to pay tribute to Japan in any form, said the Professor, it would be her political death; the powers would judiSc that Russia, had' accepted the. proposed conference, not because she was I desirous of an honourable peace, but to- cause her power was annihilated, and ehe recognised that it was impossible to can- t e ttie war. M. Maartens recapitulated historical ♦tr- amples, tending to prove that the condi tions w-arranting an indemnity included the occupation of territory, citing among other cawet? t lie, recent Hispano-American treaty, ir, which America, although victorious, ac- tually paid- twenty million dollars to the Madrid Government for Phillippine Islands. The historian added that never in all Rus- sia's history, even during Peter the Great's worst defeats, had one oent. of tribute been paid to a foreign power. JAPANESE HAVE BEEN ADAMANT THROUGHOUT. (Press Association War Special.) Oyster Bay Saturday.—Baron Kaneko, Japanese financial adviser, who is known to be in direct communication with the Tokio Government, called on President Roose- velt yesterday afternoon. There are rea- sons to believe that the visit was connected yith the proceedings at Portsmouth. It is not known whether the baron was the bearer of a message from the Emperor to the President, but the latter was evidently not, and that all that remained was for the plenipotentiaries to meet on Tuesday to sign the final protocols, and to bid j each other farewell—what is called in the diplomatic world, "A seance d'adieu." The Japanese have been implacable throughout the six days of the conference. They have listened and explained, but have not yielded one iota. of the substance of their original demands. M. Witte accepted outright seven of the twelve conditions aocepted, another in prin- ciple, and rejected four, including the main issues regarding Sakhalin and the indem- nity. The other two questions, the limita- tion of Russia's naval power and the sur- render of the interned warships, might have been arranged had there been any prospect of agreement on the two seemingly irreconcilable points. In the oral discussions, M. Witte yielded on two of the articles, but substantially the result of the thirteen sittings has been only to emphasise the position adopted by M. Witte in his written reply handed to Baron Komura last Saturday. Now both missions look towards their Governments for the last word. That an lirpas j was reached yesterday is only a diplomatic fiction. If fresh instructions are received by either side before Tuesday a compromise is yet possible. Not only President Roosev <!t but also the Powers are interested in preventing a failure of the ne- gotiations. In spite of statements issued by the Brit- ish Foreign Office the belief still obtains herj that King Edward is endeavouring to pave the way for peace, while the great financiers of the world are known to be py. their influence to tnd.t end. (Press Association War Special Telegrams.) Paris, Saturday.—The "Petit Parisien" publishe*. the follovjig from Portsmouth (u.S.) In an interview yesterday, M. Witte said meet on Tuesday to draw up and sign definitely the protocol of all the sit- tings Of what will take plaoe between to- morrow and Tuesday I know absolutely nothing. Perhaps between now and then some forei- Powers may use their good in- fluence. I can say nothing more." Another member of the mission said At the present moment a rupture can be considered as having nearly been reached, but ther is still a faint glimmer of hope, namely, that the Tokio ar 1 St. Petersburg Governments command their representatives again to discuss Articles 5, 9, lL, and 11. An agreement may still be reached, but, frankly, I do not think so." The Japanese will say ^cthing, but in a gener way a rupture of the negotiations is anticipated. RUSSIAN DELEGATE BOOKS A CABIN. Paris, Saturday.—The Matin pub- lishes the following telegram from Ports- mouth :—The adjournment until Tuesday of the conference was ue'ht by the Rus- sians, but its object is not the seeking of new instructions from Tokio or St. Peters- burg. M. Witte and his colleagues look upon the conference as being at an end. One of the m-cot important Russian delegates has engaged a cabin on the steamer which leaves at the PNl of the week. In reply to the question as to whether Russia would submit to repay Japan's war costs, Witte said, "Not a kopeck." The Japanese are also inflexible so there is no hope. Witte does not think that Ru?=:ia H yield on the intercession of neutral friends. Another of the Russian delegates, how- ever, still hopes that it will be ossible to avoid a rupture. M. Witte, be says, has not asked for fresh instructions, but there is nothing to prevent St Petersburg from sending them. At yesterday's sitting, although Baron Komura did not fix the sum demanded by Japan, he informed M. Witte that the cost of the war amounted to ten million francs dail for 500 days. ROOSEVELT WANTS TO SEE A RUS- SIAN ENVOY. (Press Association War Special.) Portsmouth (U.S., Saturday.—It is stated that Baron von Rosen is the plenipotentiary whom President Roosevelt has asked to go to Oyster Bay immediately. The President's telegram said that he had a message of the most confidential char- acter to communicate to him. It was never thought that the Russians would yield on both the main questions. The cession of Sakhalin, but no indemnity was the greatest concession M. Witte was thought likely to make, and the Czar has not yet given his word to make this con- cession. PERSONAL RELATIONS OF THE ENVOYS CHANGING. (Press Association War Special.) Portsmouth, Saturday.-It is impossible to say what view is taken in Tokio, but peace could probably be obtained by sacri- ficing the indemnity. The vague intima- tions by the Japanese that the demand for the cost of the war might be moderate have been met with M. Witte's reply that Russia will pay liberally for the mainten- ance of Russian prisoners in Japan, but w71 not pay a kopeck for war tribute. 3" Witte says: "We meet on Tuesday 'only' to sign the protocol," accenting the word only. Another bad sign is that the personal attitude of the plenipotentiaries to- wards each ?r, which had been grow- ing friendlier all the week has again be- ccrr3 constrained, as though they feel that they can only agree to disagree. In the event of a rupture, the Emperor of Japan will renew the expression of his deep I appreciation of Mr. Roosevelt's offers through Mr. Griscom and Mr. Takahira. y Plancon is charged with the task of preparing the final Russian protocol for pre- sentation on Tuesday. Professor Marrens has telegraphed to his wife that he hoped to be able to sail for home next week. It appears that the point in Article 7 reserved to which an agreement in prin- ciple was reached relates to the establish- ment of the status south of Harbin, where the ceded branch of the Chinese eastern railroad is to begin. Russia returned a negative to the article dealing with the intcrnei warships on the ground that it was contrary to every precedent of interna- tional law. He declined to allow Article 11 limiting Russia's naval power in the Far East, to go into the treaty, but offered to stale on behalf of his Government that Rus- sia had no intention of maintaining a naval force in the Far East which would consti- tute a threat to Japan or any other Power. All the Russian delegates read with the j keenest interest and greatest satisfaction the text of the Czar's manifesto (granting a Stat-* Council). M. Witte expressed plea- sure at finding it was identical with the original draft shown him for his opinion and suggestions before he left St. Peters- burg. He declined, however, to make any comments upon it. TOKIO ADVISED TO "MAKE CONCESSIONS. (Press Association War Special.) New York, Saturday.—The "New York Times states the Japanese envoys cabled to Tokio during the night advising the Gov- ernment to make certain concessions calcu- lated to satisfy the Russians. The concessions, as suggested by Baron Komura, the journal adds, are of such a nature that they will preserve the prin- ciples of the Japanese demands and will therefore not be distasteful to the Japanese people. (Press Association War Special.) Paris, Monday.—The "Matin" publishes a telegram from Portsmouth, giving an account of an interview with M. vvitte. The Rus- sian statesmen expressed his gratitude to Mr. Roosevelt for his efforts to bring the negotiations to a succe&sful end, but de- clared that the difference between Russia and Japan regarding Sakhalin and the in- demnity- was so great that no agreement could be reached, (Press Association War Special.) Portsmouth, Monday.—It is a enounced that. President Roosevelt's proposition to Baron Von Roeen dealt with arbitration. It is not known whether arbitration was proposed on all articles, but it is thought more likely to relate only to the indemnity question, and possibly, to Sakhalin also. HOW RUSSIA HOPES TO WIN. (Press Associaion War Special.) Paris, Monday.-The "Echo de Paris" publishes a long report by a person who, though not an official, is a great expert, who served to furnish the Czar and his advisers with an idea of Japan's powers of resistance. This document declares that as the war absorbs half Japan's revenue, it is impos- sible that she is not financially exhausted. Only her borrowing enables her to carry on the struggle. RUSSIA WANTS THE HAGUE TRI- BUNAL CONSULTED. (Press Association War Special.) Portsmouth, Monday, Later.-A some- what pessimistic feeling prevails here to- day, and Professor Maartens is reported to have predicted that the missions will start homewards on Wednesday. Most of the newspaper correspondents believe that Presi- dent Roosevelt offered to act as mediator. Brianchaninoff, the well-known publicist, who is in touch with the mission, is re- presented to hive said, "with regard to this question as an anti-militarist I find it would be in entire conformity with the dignity of Russia to submit the questions in dispute to The Hague tribunal, and thus increase the splendour of that institution, which should become, for the welfare of humanity, the or- gan of conscience of the nations." CZAR'S DEFINITE DECISION ANNOUNCED. Portsmouth (U.S.), Sunday.—A telegram has been received this evening saying that the Czar has held a Council which consider- ed all questions relating to the Peace Con- ference. The decision taken was apparently unani- mous-at any rate final-that no further concessions can be made.—"Times." READY TO START WHEN THE RAIN STOPS. (Press Association War Special.) With- General Ivuroki's Army (via Pekin, Saturday).—Whilst the peace plenipoten- tiaries have failed to arrange an armistice, the weather has enforced an effectual truce during the present month. Operations on a large scale by either army are impossible at the present time, and will probably be so for the next fortnight or three weeks. The Japanese army was fully prepared for a general advance before the heavy rains began, and will probably give battle quickly with its whole strength as soon as the country is sufficiently dry, in the event of the failure of the peace negotiations. Great reserves of supplies have been ac- cumulated at the front and at Mukden, Tie- ling, and other base depots.

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