Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-09

Dor.
1t appears that through some misun-
derstanding, the japanese plenipo-
tentiaries were not officially informed
that NJ. Witte would not remain OH
board throughout the trip to Ports
mouth, but This was communicated 10
them as soon as Mr.. Sato and Com
nnander Takeshita came Gu board the
| Galveston. Sunday night, to see M.
Peirce and any anxiety which may nave
existed on this point WAS Immediately
| relieved.
Like Monday the day Gawned clear
and bright and also with Indications of
heat before the festivities concluded.
The streets were not quite so thronsei
during the early morning hours as at
the same time Monday. but still there
VAS quite a little animation and the
morning air waited flags ana streamers
draped about buildings, nakink an at
tractive picture TO thos" who strolled
m and down the highways and bywayS
| OF the old seaport.
Portsmouth, the settlement of which
dates hack to within a few years of the
Pilgrims landing at Plymouth, for days
| has had an air Of appreciatmg the im
portance of the pending conferences.
With the actual coming Cf the day of
meeting. with the ENJOYS at the doors,
with the governor and other state dig
nitarics in readiness 10 speak their wei!
come. with the militia arriving to do
escort duty and with people thronging
into the city. sentiment WAS changed to
positive belief that the event which WAS
about To take place had no precedent in
history 1t was the first time that three
continents were interested in peace ne
gotiations AMI it was declared by those
Interested that if pelc" was concluded
Portsmouth would take her place in
fam. with Utrecht ana Campoformio.
|. The postpOnement Of the ceremonies
for "a hours on account of the delay IN
the arrival of envoys apparently did
not cool the arGOr of hose who desired
To participate in the event. The capl-
city of the various traffic lines was tax
ed to the limit by the demands of those
who desired to visit the city. Tuesday.
The New Hampshire National Guard
came in AT $50 O'clock. Twelve hun
dred troops arrived between that hour
and 10 O'Clock coming from every Sec
ton of the state ana as they sought
breakfast, there was Il hustle and hurry
greatly in contrast to the usual sober
uuietness OF the Staii old town.
In the harbor the shipping had been
dressed for the occasion and several
handsome steam yachts with brightly
| colored signal flags from stem to stern
over their maSts added q gala appear
ancc to the scene at the navy yard. AT
| the yard the battalion of marines. who
| are to form a guard Of honor while he
| ENJOYS breakfast as the guests of Rear
| Admiral Mead, were on parade in reg
| ular uniforms going through the evo-
| lutiGns which We're to be their part OF
| The ceremonies.
| A considerable squad of secret service
| men arrived. Tuesday morning, and
| stationed themselves for work accord
! ing to their carefully prepared plans
| for forming an effective guard in the
| city for the distinguished personages.
The army of newspaper correspond
ents and telegraph operators, who are
| here to give the world picture Of the
ceremonies so important to the welfare
| of so many, began the day with activ-
| ity.
/ he Ilttl WIS OH tIb entrance
| shortly after O'Clock. and at quarter
| past that hour was slowly steamins in
by the Winthrop. 1t was but 4 few
| minutes after $50 when the vessels
dropped anchor off the navy yard.
| At that hour the weather conditions
had changed slightly. The sky had be-
| come somewhat overcast with haZy
| clouds. but dog day sultriness was
| tempe red by a cool air from the sea.
| The trip " the squadron from New
| port +. l.. was without incident of
special nature. Early on Monday morn
ing the fog had lifted and the out
| look was for n clear day. However, he
| fore the squadron had left the harbor
the fog WAS thick again and through
| out the day and night the three vessels
| We're steaming in Il dense mist. making
| il necessary to keep the whistles con-
| stantly in operation. Although the
| varshps were not in sight of one an
other except at intervals. they were al
| ways in communication by wireless
trlegraphy.
| At the navy yard the touches were
| given to have everything ready for the
| conference. the whole preparations
| serving also To give the guests Il me
| specimen of American hospitality. Adj
| miral Mead impaired the last strictest
| instructions to insure secrecy Of the
! meeting and the arrangements are such
| that the members of the peace com
| mission while within the navy yard
| Will be watched closer than the car
| dinals during the last conciave for the
| election of the Pope.
| The program as officially mapped out
| by Third Assistant Secretary of State
| PIERCE. Rear Admiral Mead. command
| ant OF the Kittery navy ward and Gov.
| John McLanc for the official reception
| Of the peace ENJOYS was carried out
| without modification. At 10 o'clock.
! Rear Admiral Mead left the navy yard
| on his launch TO make his official calls
| on the ENJOYS. He made his way d.
rcctly to the MayHower on board of
| which were the Russian representa-
tives. Then he visited the japanese
mission on board the Dolphin. The calls
| We're made with the usual precision and
consumed A half hour. AS the admiral
| left each shin a salute of - guns WAS
given in his honor. The admiral then