The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-11
cided to discard even formal civilian att

seoAA oA DdAoh IAOHuEd to CASiuuc attV-
 gates from the session. Baron Ko-
 mura raised a specific objection to the
 presence of DeMartins, whom M. Witte
 and Baron Rosen desired to have in at-
 tendance in an advisory capacity, of-
 fering to agree to the presence of any of the Japanese delegates. But the
 Japanese declined. saying they should not ask for the presence of any of the delegates. M. Witte did not press the
 point, but 1t may be raised again later, should a basis of settlement be reach ed. Historical precedents are in favor of the admission of delegates and should the Japanese objection stand. 1t would, independently of its bearings upon the plenipotentiaries, create precedent from which appeal might be made in future.
 In international negotiations only the plenipotentiaries are usually entitled to sign whatever treaty or convention Is concluded. but delegates of the pleni- potentiary party participate in gen. eral discussion and in some cases at the conclusion of conferences are provided with special credentials to append their signatures.
 M wilkenken, accompanied by com manders Boutakoff. the Russian naval attache, and Captain Roussine, the na- val delegate, today went out in a steam launch to the Dolphin and Mayfiower. and presented the compliments of M. witte to Commanders Winslow and Gibbons Commander Isham and MT. Takahira paid similar visits on behalf of Baron Komura-
 The Morning Session.
 The morning session lasted exactly two hours and was of a most friendly character The plcnipotentiaries and their secretaries sat on the opposite side of a large table. Baron Komura and M. witte faced each other in the cen- ter, Baron Rosen sitting on M. Witte's left and MT. Takahira upon Baron Ko- mura's right. M. Korostovetz sat next to Baron Rosen and MT. Otchiai next to MT. Takahira. On the other side of the plenipotentiaries sat Messrs. Adachi and Sato of the Japanese and Messrs. Nabokoff and Kudacheff of the Russian suite
 The Russian note on the failure of Baron komura Go produce his creden- tials was presented and made part of the permanent record with objection on the part of the Japanese.
 The official credentials were then exchanged. As each side previously had an opportunity to examine them, this was largely matter of form. somewhat general discussion followed, in which Baron Komura and M Witte spoke frankly of the purpose of the meeting. The best of spirit was man.
 ifested and the discussion widened, Baron Rosen and Mir. Takahira partic- ipating, French and English being used. During the course of the ex- change it was agreed that Baron Ko- mura should immediately present the Japanese terms, and M. Witte promised to give a reply at the earliest possi- ble moment. In order 70 avoid mis- understandings, 1t was arranged that the reply and all formal communica- tions should be made in writing. This understanding having been reached. just before the seseron adjourned.
 Baron Komura handed the document
 to M. witte who thrust it In his pocket without opening 1t. While the Japa-
 nese went to luncheon, M. Witte with MT. Rosen repaired to their rooms. where they examined the documents on which so much depends. A desire for expedition was expressed on both sides.
 Immediately after the adjournment of the meeting, M. Witte set his secreta ries to work to put into cipher the lconditions of peace presented by Baron Komura, which are now being cabled | to St. Petersburg and will be imme-
 diately transmitted to the Emperor. M. Witte personally put into cipher
 his own comment upon the character of the condition. and his views as to
 what action had best be taken. While l tired to one of the rooms set apart for the Russian mission Only M. Koro- stevetz of the Russian mission returned from the navy yard to the Wentworth | for the purpose of communicating to | the press about this mornings meet ing. Took Time to Eat.
 The morning conference of the Iplenipotentiaries ended at 12:45 o'clock, when the envoys adjourned and imme | diately repaired to the lunch rooms In the naval stores building. These rooms are directly across the corridor | from the conference rooms. The next meeting according to the schedule of | business arranged yesterday was to be- l gin at o'clock The following official statement was made by M. Korostovetz on behalf of | the Russian plenipotentlaries:
 Tn the meeting of August 10. the question of full powers has been regulated so that there will be no more | difficulties on that subject. After this the Japanese plenipotentiaries handed | to the Russian plenipotentiaries the conditions of peace In writing. It has been decided that the Russian plenipo- tentiaries will study the question and will as soon as possible give their an- | swer in writing. In the meantime the | meetings of the conference has been adjourned. The petition for the Japa- nese terms came at the very end of | the morning session. Baron Komura himself handed the momentous docu- ment in duplicate in French and Rus | sian to M. Witte, who thrust the papers | in his inside pocket and the session was | declared adjourned" ~- @~--.s: The Japanese peace cnvoys left the naval stores building at the navy yard in their automobile shortly after 2 | o'clock indicating that the afternoon | session of the peace conference had | been abandoned. The automobile of | the Russian envoys at this time was waiting at the doors of the building | The Russian minister to Pekin was in | consultation with the Russian plenipo- | tentiaries at tho navy yard during the | session today.
 At 2:sO M Sat1 issued an official
 statemert about the morning meetings | of the conference Is identical as that ! Issued by Nj. Korostovetz. The only difference was the former wasi in Eng | fish, the latter in French.
 The Associated Press Is able to an l'nounce that the whole spirit of the dis cussion today was such as greatly strengthens the hope of a favorable is- sue of the conference. Baron Komura l was exceedingly earnest in his state ment that Japan was anxious for and | desirous of obtaining peace. and in ad- vance of the actual delivery of the con | tentiohs he assured NJ Wi'te and | Baron Rosen that his countrys terms
 were moderate and he hoped such as | could be accepted on a basis of nego- | tiation. M. Wltte replied to Baron