The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-14
Exhibit LibeTa|it to COngItga-
 ton at Portsmouth
LAPS ALSO 60 TO CHURCH
Minister TakahIra Takes Back Seat in Christian Church at klttery, Me-, and Joins in the
 Services.

Portsmouth. N. H., August 13.-Both the Russian and Japanese peace mis- sions attended church srevices today, the Russians in the morning and the Japa- nese in the evening.
 Relief from the heat of the past two days and the early decision to abandon the proposed Sunday session of the peace conference made relaxation possible. The day was ideal from every point of view. The roads had been packed hard by the rains, the bay and ocean were smooth and the air bright and crisp, making driv- ing. automobiling, sailing and steaming all attractive. All of these diversions were enjoyed by various members of the foreign visitors.
 After luncheon M. Witte, Baron Rosen and General Yermoleff toured the shore road In their automobile. returning to the hotel in the afternoon. Baron Rosen dem- ocratically spent the afternoon on the veranda of the hotel reading the Sunday papers. M. Witte was in his apartments the remainder of the afternoon.
 The Russians left the hotel at 1 o'clock for Christ Episcopal church. The plenipo- tentiaries made the trip in the automobile which has been assigned for M. wittes exclusive use. tallyho conveyed sew eral of the Russian mission. They sat on top. The automobile reached the church some minutes before the other vehicles.
 The people of Portsmouth did not know that the Russian dignitaries had planned to attend worship and none was there from curiosity.
 Had Front Pew.
 In the church the envoys were escort ed to the very front pew On arrival the rest Of the party was shown seats i'm mediately behind those of fheir chiefs.
 The service began at once. It was the Maths service of the high Episcopal church, with it's hymns and cants and lasted exactly seventy minutes.
 There was no sermon and the distin- guished guests had some difficulty in fol- lowing the service, that is rising on time to the responses. In the orthodox Rus sian church there are no pews, the con gregation remaining standing throughout the service.
 Rev. Charles l.. F. " Brien was the officiating clergyman. Friends bid you welcome" was his only deviation in the prescribed services.
 When the plates for the usual Sunday offering were passed, each Russian brought forth bill and the one hundred and twelve women and eight gentlemen who besides the envoys, made up the congregation were given an impressive illustration of the liberality of the Rus sians.
 Mir Witte was keen observer of every feature of the service. He did not take his eye from the procession of altar boys and choristers in their white robes and red cassocks. His gaze, however, was rather that of reverence than curiosity.
 When the service had ended, the envoys were pleasantly received by the rector and members of his parish. They re- mained only short time, however, re- turning direct to the hotel.
 Takahira Avoids Crowd.
 Minister Takahira. the Japanese minis ter accompanied by Commander Take shita. member of the Japanese legation at Washington attended the evening ser vice at the Christian church at Kittery, Me. The minister left the hotel at 7:3O and did not return until after 10. AL though the day was exceedingly warm he wore conventional frock coat and bowed low to the many greetings as he left the veranda. It had been announced that he would attend vespers at Christ Episcopal church where the Russians had been in the morning and because of the inability of the choir to remember the Japanese national hymn arrangements had been made to sing the British national anthem out of courtesy to the distinguish ed visitor. But the congregation looked in vain. It seems that at the last minute. thinking his going might attract atten- tion, MT. Takahira decided to go to the Christian church at Kittery, some five miles away, where he was not recognized. The Japanese minister participated In the service. He sat near the rear of the church. Baron Komura and Minister Yamaza went for a long drive this even ing and returned to the hotel much re- freshed