Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-07-21
Almost SWaInped by Mass
Of Correspondence.
Many Hours Work for Envoy
and Clerks at Seattle.


Seattle, wash, July 20.-BarOn j.
komura, foreign minister of Japan and
one of the two Japanese peace commits
sioners, is struggling with a mass Of
diplomatic correspondence at the resi-
dence of S. Hisiamiozu, Japanese con-
sui at Seattle. Baron Komura worked
until O'Clock, this morning. with
cable messages and letters which
reached him when the steamer Minne-
sofa arrived at Port Townsend.
Consul Hisiamiozu. who was carried
out to meet the Hill liner by the reve-
nue. cutter Arcata took with him only
a part of the correspondence that has
been awaiting the peace envoy. Komura
and his party will work until 7.3O P.
NJ. on the cipher dispatches, and will
carry with them a mass of unfinished
business to be taken up again on the
Great Northern train en- route East.
The private car of ]. J. Hill in which
the party will proceed East, will be the
ambassadors working Office.
Baron Komura was welcomed at
Seattle when the Minnesota reached
port, just before noon, by more than
1000 Japanese. On a tug in the harbor,
a small crowd of Japanese exploded
day fire works i'm honor of the party
and a band interspersed japanese and
American airs as a musical welcome.
Mayor Kallinger, on behalf Of the city,
welcomed the diplomat at the gangway
and a special train brought him to the
city.
A fixed policy has been agreed upon
by the members of the delegation re-
garding interviews. Baron komura has
determined not to give out any inter-
views in America relative to peace me-
gotiations or the war conditions.
H. Sato. all unattached member of the
foreign service, who is accompanying
the party, has been designated as the
spokesman to discuss any other mat
ters affecting the delegation.
Mr.. Sato and H. w. Denison, the
American legal advisor of the Japan
ese foreign department, were with the
Japanese ambassadors who concluded
peace with China. They are the only
members of the party who have en-
joyed such hOnors in the past.
Aboard the steamship, Tuesday
night, a farewell reception was given
by Baron Komora. He and his party
received in the ladies' parlor of the
boat and later Baron Komura distrib-
uted a number of presents among the
officers of the boat. The minor officials
and employees who waited upon him
were treated lavishly, the Chinese
stateroom attendant being given a $40
tip. All the prizes won in the ship
games during the voyage were distrib-
uted, Friday night. Baron Komura
made the presentation speeches and in
sisted upon personally donating the
prizes.
Baron KOmura's party carries 80
pieces of luggage, and about so of these
are filled with documents needed at the
conference and presents which the
party will make while in America.
Noting under instructions from the
state department transmitted through
treasury officials the baggage of the
diplomatic party was passed immedi-
ately and without inspection. The quar-
antine officers. prompted by a treasury
department suggestion, made an in
spection of the Minnesota. at 4.19, this
morning, daybreak. The. boat was
ready to proceed by $50 A. NJ. but was
held at Port Townsend for an hour and
a half to avoid arriving at Seattle be-
fore breakfast. Train connections could
not be made, and as Baron KOmura
had worked until A. M. and some
members Of his suite all night, rest was
required.
Baron Komura and his suite left
Seattle at 8 O'Clock, tonight, for New
York City.
They travel in privat. cars as the
guests of the President ]. j. Hill Of the
Great Northern Railroad, and Will
make all haste to their destination.