The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-03

Prior to the formal assembling, the
commissioners met in their conference
room and selected Reginald T. Tower OF
the British diplomatic service, formerly
attached to the legation at Washington
and recently minister to Siam, as secre-
tary Of the commission. j. r. Carter,
second secretary of the United States en-
bassy, and Mr.. Pope, a representative Of
the Canadians, were named as assistant
secretaries. Lord Chief Justice Aver
stone was subsequently chosen chairman
of the committee. 1t was announced that
oral arguments would commence Sept. ID,
and Lord Alverstone expressed the hope
that they would be finished by Oct. 3.
Room Is Masniseent.
The conference room of the foreign Of
flee, where the commissioners met, Is the
choicest apartment In the British public
buildings. It is a magnificent salon, with
Gothic ceiling and panelled walls, and has
been the scene Of many notable gather
ings It was generally used by the late
Lady Salisbury to receive the guests after
her husbands dinners to the diplomatic
corps.
At the end of the room platform has
been constructed and on 1t Is a long desk
with a blue covering. Behind this desk
are six comfortable chairs, which are to
be occupied by the commissioners, whose
international regulations emphasize the
| Importance Of the occasion. To-day Elihu
| Root and Lord Alverstone sat In the CEN
| ter
Separate tables were provided for coun-
sell The Canadian counsel were the first
| to arrive in the chamber. They were fol-
lowed by John w. Foster, former secre-
tary of state and his assistants, who
were accompanied by Ambassador Choate.
| The commissioners came In g. few min
yates later, and Immediately began
! private conference which resulted in the
selection of officers and at which they
exchanged credentials and took the oath
required by the treaty.
Commissioners Are Seated.
| A few minutes after II o'clock the com
| mission took their seats, Senator Turner
on the extreme right, then Professor Sir
Louis Jette, formerly of the superior court
Of Quebec, lieutenant governor Of the
| Province Of Quebec and professor Of civil
law; Mr.. Root, Lord Alverstone, Senator
Lodge, A. B. Aylesworth, who succeeded
/ the late Justice Armour of Canada on the
! commission. Mr.. Foster and Clifton Sifton
/ Canadian minister of the interior The
agents of the respective government sa
! at desks on the extreme right and LET
Of the commission while counsel and tn,
! stenographers occupied desks facing tn,
commissioners.
Lord Alverstone, after formally an
nouncing that the commission was in ses
4 sion and stating that he had been Sc
; Iected as president, an honor which h
| highly appreciated, asked counsel whel
they desired to begin the oral arguments
Sir Robert B. Finlay, the attorney general
, in behalf of the British counsel, suggeste
that at least two weeks would be requires
| for preparation, to which Judge John M
.IDickinson, representing the America
, counsel, assented. tho he said the Ameri
, can counsel would be ready in a week.
5 To Finish by Oct. 3.
Lord A1verstone asked when the ora
! arguments would be finished and Attor
ney General Finlay suggested Oct. 15, bu
his lordship remarked that he thought
\ shorter period was advisable, and Oct.
: : was fixed upon.
E The commission decided to sit five day
- Cow in,1ad on Second Pare -.