The Washington times., 1905-08-05
Komura and Takahira
Presented to Wute
and Rosen.
PORTSMOUTH TRIP BEGUN
Fifty-nine Guns Fired in
Salute to President and
Plenipotentiaries.

OIo1 En- bA l, N l., aug d ue
| booming Of fifty-nine great guns in
the shadow of Sycamore Hill today
gave notice that the peace plenipo-
tentiaries of Russia and Japan had
been brought together by President
Roosevelt
Twenty-one of these cannon moves
were for the President Or the United
States, and nineteen each were given
the ENJOYS that their epauletted. order
blazoned suites as they climbed over
the white sides of the Mayfower,
where they met in token of their re-
solve to end the struggle of blood in
Asia.
The meeting Of the peace ENJOYS.
under the throats of Uncle Sans can
non and surrounded by eloquent les
sons of our naval strength, was above
all else q triumph Of the President.
He alone brought these men together
and compelled them to ponder well
over our preparedness for future war
while they pledged themselves to stop
the battles of the present day.
The day was ideal for making peace.
Even the steel-coated warships, float
ing at rest on the bosom of the
sound, just off the entrance to the
land-locked harbor, looked more like
sleeping swans than engines of war.
wARsHIPs OFF OYSTER BAY.
| The Dolphin. the MayHewer and the
saIx Ill
| Co.inthian Seawanhaka Yacht Club last
| right. The first named ships are TO take
| tie plenipotentiaries to Portsmouth as
soon as the ceremonies OF the day ara
corcluded, and the Galveston is to act
as the convoy on the trip.
The Japanese plenipotentiaries. accord
ing to the State Department program,
we're the first TO arrive this forenoon.
reaching Oyster Bay half an hour or so
ahead of the Sylph, which brought As
sistant Secretary of State Peirce, who
introduced the ENJOYS to the President
III the Mayficwers cabin.
President Roosevelt left Sycamore Hill
at about 12:55 o'clock. The Mayfower's
launch was waiting for him at the end
Of the J. West Roosevelt pier, and as he
stepped aboard the little craft, one of the.
jackies unrolled the big blue Presidential
flag and fastened it to the staff. The
speed made by the little motor boat
caused the blue banner 10 stand out like
board on the trip TO the AIayhower.
AS the President stepped over the side
Of his yacht, the blue flag disappeared
from the stern of the yacht, and as if by
magic whipped out TO the breeze at the
peak of the ship. simultaneously with
the display of the Presidents flag at
j t5tc Mayfiowers peak, the cannon Of
the yacht began the 21-gun salute
Japanese on the Mayfower.
As soon as these signs were seen and
heard, the Japanese enyoys, Baron ko-
mura and Minister Takahira. and their
suite climbed down the ladder of the
Tacoma. and, entering launches, were
conveyed TO the Mayflower. The twenty
one guns fired in honor of the President
had, therefore, died away before the sa-
lutte Of nineteen for the Japanese plent-
potentiaries was begun.
President Roosevelt was waiting for
the envoys in the pretty cabin of the
ship Assistant Secretary Petrce. who
had arrived in advance of the pIenipo-
tentiaries, made the formal Introduction.
The President laughirgly said that he
did not need an introduction TO Baron
Komura or Minister Takahira. for he
had met them before. He shook hands.
however. with them both. and then
greeted the other members of the party.
After the intrOductons there was 3
pleasant chat in the cabin. Then the
Japanese gentlemen retired 10 another
cabin to make room for the Russian
party.
Arrival of Russians.
Count Witte Ambassador Rosen ana
their suite had In the meantime arrived
on board the Chattanooga In their turn
they left their ship, rode 10 the May
flower and were given a salute of nine
teen guns by the Presidents yacht
In their turn they entered the cabin,
were introduced to the President whom
they already knew, ana had a pleasant
talk about the weather, the beauties OF
the surroundings and other subjects
equally unlikely to cause future inter
national complications.
Then the two parties were brought to-
gether and there we-e speeches, more
handshaking and more iunocuous con-
versation.
All hands then partooll of q stand un''
was the Presidents clever way OF avoid
ing any questions of precedence which
might have arisen had the President
Joined his guests at the table.
Japanese Leave Ship.
After the luncheon the japanese gem
tlemen said farewell with many protes-
tations of good win and were ferried to
/ the Dolphin. The President and Secre-
tary Pcirce soon astar left the Nav
! flower in possession of the Russians
The ceremony was ended.
! The Dolphin conveying the japanese