The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1905-08-11

j
yesterday, the first sitting of the CON-
missioners was to be held at 10 O'Clock
would be at half past nine There
were many people waiting on the YER
anda of the hotel to witness the de-
parture of the ENJOYS. With the ap-
proach of the hour Of meeting the
feeling became more pronounced than
before that an armistice would not be
agreed upon unless the success Of the
negotiations was assured
The position of the japanese toward
this formality and the hearty sup
port which London is understood to
have given Toxic, it is believed, has
operated to minimize the wish of the
Russians for a signed truce.
Another cause for their willingness
first meeting IS believed to be tie re-
cent opposition said &c have manifest
ed Itself among the Russian forces st
the front against peace negotiations.
Il is felt that to asa them 10 sign
truce might have Il bad effect upon
their opposition to the ending Of the
var
Earon Komura and MIR. Takahira
and Secretary AGato left the hotel
Wentworth by automobile Tor the ma
Wy yard at 9:55 O'Clock. They were
greeted on the veranda by Acting Sec
rotary Pierce and Governor McLane.
NJ. White and Baron Rosen started
shortly after in another automobile,
leaving by secondary entrance which
leads to their apartments
1t took about half an hour to cover
the six miles from the hotel to the
navy yard, and it was 1890 O'Clock
when the ENJOYS arrived at the naval
stores building. where their sitting
was to take place. The foreigners at
tracted no particular attention as they
passed through the city today. At the
navy yard he careful arrangements
made by Rear Admiral Meade, the
conmandant. for excluding all persons
not connected with the proceedings,
operated perfectly every outsider be-
ins stopped at the entrance of the
yard.
After the plenipotentiaries left the
hotel for the navy yards this morn
ing Mr.. Honda, private secretary to
EarOn Komura, went to the apartments
OF the Russian mission, where he was
received in the reception room by Mr..
ShipOff, Mr.. DePlanccn, Mr. Batchoff
and Mr.. Berg. MIR. Honda said the
object of his visit was to discuss the
besJ program for the exchange of
c&:ds by the members CO the two ms
sio2s. The short conversation which
followed was very cordial ard it was
decided that the cards should either
be eft at the office. one that a secre-
taTy from each side should convey
them direct to the respective apart
gents and there be formally received
1t is noticeable that with each day
the members OF the two missinCz ar
f-aternizing more easily, and it is nc
longer a subject of comment xhen .
Russia nand a japanese are seen talk
Ing together.
EarOn KOmura and NJ. White relter.
ated to third Assistant Secretary
Pierce shortly before leaving for the
navy yard today, a request that every
one be excluded from the yard all
throughout the time the ENJOYS are
meeting. Even the members of each
mission to gain entrance will be re
Quired to show passes signed by theiI
chief and countersigned by the com
mandant Of the yard
The first session Of the peace con-
ference has been concluded. 1t lasted
about IN hour. No business was done
besides exchanging credentials and ar
hanging program for future sessions