The Globe-republican., 1905-07-20
President Roosevelt Receives Minister
Takahlra.
NE HAD NO SPECIAL MESSAGE.
Only Probabilities Of the Meeting Of
the Plenipotentiarie which is Ex-
pected to Take Place August list
Was Talked of-komura Enroute.

Oyster Bay, July 17.-Important de.
tails concerning the forthcoming
peace conference between plenipoten-
tiaries representing Russia and Japan
and matters relating to the construc--
ton OF the Panama canal were under
consideration by President Roosevelt.
He and Mrs. Roosevelt had as guests
at luncheon at their Sycamore Hill
home Minister Kogoro Takahira, Of
Japan, Theo. P. Shonts, chairman, and
John F, Stevens, chief engineer, Of
the isthmian canal commission, and
Thomas w. Hynes, auditor Of Porto.
Rico.
Several days ago Minister Takahira
made an agreement to see the presi.
dent regarding the reception Of the
peace plenipotentiaries, to be held at
Portsmouth, N. H.
The Japanese minister arrived here
at 1890 o'clock. He was met at the
station by one Of the presidents con.
fidential messengers. Assurance was
given that the minister's visit was not
Of notable significance. He bore nc
special advices to President Roose
welt from the Japanese government
He discussed with Mr.. Roosevelt
some points about the coming con
ference, but 1t is announced that nc
date was agreed on for the recep.
ton of the plenipotentiaries by the
president.
Minister Takahira could not posi-
lively state when Baron Komara, the
Japanese minister of foreign affairs
who is the principal envoy of Japan
to the conference, would reach this
country. He Is en- route now from
Japan, and is expected to reach New
York about the 3Oth instant. If Min.
lister White, the Russian plenipoten
tiary, shall have arrived by that time
the reception to the ENJOYS by the
president will probably take place at
Sycamore Hill on August l.
The precise date will be determined
by the state department after a con-
ference between the recently appoint
ed secretary of state, Elihu Root, and
the plenipotentiaries. 1t is the expec.
tation that the ENJOYS will come. from
New York to Oyster Bay on the May
flower and the dispatch boat Dolphin.
They will be accompanied by Secre
tary Root and perhaps by other Off
Gals of the state department. They
will go directly by the same vessels
from Oyster Bay to Portsmouth,
N. H.
Minister Takahira expressed his
personal qualification at the designa
ton of M. Witte as the leading peni
potentiary of Russia. He said that
NJ. White was one of Russias most
eminent statesmen, and his appoint
ment would lend confidence and
weight to the conference. He said
that arrangements for the conference
were moving along smoothly and ex
pressed the hope that a satisfactory
agreement would be reached. Minist
er Takahira, after taking luncheon
with the president, left Oyster Bay
for New York on the 2:1S train.
Chairman Shonts and Chief Engi-
neer Stevens remained with the presi-
dent some time after the departure
of Minister Takahira. This was the
first opportunity the president had
had to discuss canal matters with Mr..
Stevens and they went over the SUBJ
ject pretty thoroughly. AS both Mr..
Shonts and Mr.. Stevens expect to sail
for Panama on the goth, the president
desired to consult with them before
their departure 1t Is not likely that
Mr.. Stevens will be in the near fu-
ture a member of the executive COM
mittee of the canal commission, a pc.
sition occupied by his predecessor,
Mr.. Wallace. 1t can be said that Mr.
Stevens has been given practically a
free hand to do construction work.
He has his own ideas about the work
to be pursued, and will not be inter
ferred with in the work of his depart
ment. His desire is to dig the canal
and to that great undertaking he Will
devote all Of his ability, leaving the
executive and administrative details
to be worked out by Chairman
shonts, Governor Magoon and the
committee.