The Colorado statesman., 1905-08-12
INTRODUCED
RUSSIANS AND JAPANESE MEET
Peace Commissioners Lunch Together
as Guests of President Roosevelt
Greeting Is Amicable.

Peace Commissioners Lunch Together
as Guests of President Roosevelt
Greeting Is Amicable.
Oyster Bay, Aug. 6.-History was
made yesterday at Oyster Bay. Rus
SLAMS and Japanese clasped hands and
greeted one another with all outward
evidence of cordiality and for the first
time since nations began to have rela-
tions one with another. an executive
of a great power received the ENJOYS
CT two belligerent countries on a mis-
sion of peace. President Roosevelt, on
behalf of the United States and its peo-
pie, extended formal greetings to the
representatives of Russia and Japan,
introduced the plenipotentiaries to one
another and entertained them at an
elaborate luncheon, at which Russians
and Japanese fraternized with one aD-
other as comrades rather than enemies.
During the luncheon President Roose-
welt proposed notable toast, in which
he expressed the earnest hope and
prayer, in the interest, not only of
these two great powers, but of all CIV
ilized mankind, that just and lasting
peace may speedily be concluded be-
tween them"
The handsome war yacht Mayhower,
one of the most beautiful vessels of the
United States navy, on which the
formal reception of the Russian and
Japanese plenipotentiaries took place,
swung easily at anchor just at the en-
trance of Oyster Bay from Long Is
land sound.
AS the Japanese mission, headed by
Baron Komura and Minister Takahira,
ascended the gangway, all attired in
black frock coats and shiny silk hats,
the band sounded three ruffles and
then played a march. At the head of
the gangway Commander Winslow re-
ceived the ENJOYS and as they stepped
to the deck, they were greeted by Mr..
Peirce. They were escorted immedi-
ately to the cabin, where the President
was awaiting them.
Their reception was brief and was as
devoid of formality as the nature of
the occasion would permit Baron Ko-
mura ana Minister Takahira shook
hands with the President, the cordial
ity of the greeting being unmistakable.
A few minutes afterwards the form
of M. Witte, Russian chief plenipoten-
tiary, appeared at the starboard gang
way of the Mayfower. He was fol-
lowed by Baron Rosen, Russian ambas-
sador and second peace envoy, and
eight members of his suite.
They were received precisely as the
Japanese had been and they, too, were
ushered into the cabin where the Pres
ident was in waiting to receive them.
During the reception of the Russian
mission, the Japanese envoys and the
members of their suite were in one of
the forward cabins. With notable cor
diality, President Roosevelt shook
hands with M. Witte and Baron Rosen,
exchanging with them informal but
hearty personal Fluctuations.
After receiving the members of the
suite and presenting all in turn to his
personal guests, the President then
brought the two sets of envoys to-
gether, introducing them formally to
one another.
1t was a notable scene as the d.
minutive Baron Komura shook hands
with the giant Witte at the instance of
the President.
| The greetings of the members of the
two special missions were distinctly
formal, but not the slightest sugges-
ton of enmity was shown on either
side. Neither by word nor by action
did they indicate even by indirection,
anything except utmost cordiality.
Careful to avoid any strain, Presi-
dent Roosevelt, as soon as possible af-
ter the introducing, suggested that the
party proceed to the main saloon,
where luncheon was in waiting.
The President himself led the party,
followed by M. Witte, Baron Komura,
| Baron Rosen and Minister Takahira
Even the formation of this little pro-
cession involved a delicate diplomatic
problem, but 1t was agreed that the
| President solved 1t admirably.
| Although the luncheon was served
with their guests standing, the Presi-
don't escorted the four envoys to chairs
In one corner of the saloon and In half
| a minute, through tact and delieacy,
the whole party was engaged in ami
mated conversation over their Dishes
The conversation generally was in
French. as M. Witte speaks little Eng
lish. Baron Rosen and Baron Komura
chatted as though they had been life
long friends and Minister Takahira, at
no time particularly communicative,
Ind with interest.
At the conclusion of the luncheon,
after the President had posed with the
four ENJOYS for an official photograph,
arrangements were made for the Pres
dents departure for Sycamore Hill.
He took cordial leave of the ENJOYS
and their suites, shook hands with his
personal guests on board, and to the
music of the band and to the roar of
the Mayflower's guns, went over the
side and entered his launch. His flag
was hauled down, and a few minutes
later he was landed at the ]. West
Roosevelt pier.
There he entered his carriage and
was driven to his home.
The Japanese ENJOYS and their
suites were next to leave. They shook
hands with the Russian plenipoten-
tiaries, expressing to them their per-
aI i1ara II xalc.