Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-09
TOday's Telegraphic News
The Peace Conference.

the public dining room this morning.
Count White and Baron Rosen, the Rus
sian ENJOYS, were served in their private
apartments. 1t was nine o'clock, how
ever, before their wait was rewarded.
Minister Takahira and Baron Komura
bowingly acknowledged several saluta-
tons. They ate sparingly and with
great elaboration, and their automobile
was at the hotel entrance before they
had finished. The order ono cards"
prevailed in the apartments OF both en-
voys.
Portsmouth, n. H., Aug. 9.-Today
the peace ENJOYS OF Russia and Japan
began their great battle of wits. The
first session of the peace conference be-
gan shortly after 10 o'clock this morn
ing in the general stores building at the
navy yard. Arriving in automobiles
the ENJOYS of Russia and Japan were
escorted by Secretary PIERCE to the rooms
on the second floor prepared for them.
Then Secretary Peirce when all were
gathered in the big council chamber an
nounced that it was his pleasure as the
United States government representative
to turn the rooms over for the use of the
ENJOYS of Russia and Japan and as
sure them OF the interest that the United
States felt in the outcome. Then Mr..
PIERCE withdrew to the rooms reserved
for himself and then the ENJOYS were
left face to face to settle down to bust
ness.
Hotel Wentworth, Portsmouth, n. H.,
Aug. 9.-The first meeting of the peace
ENJOYS has come to an end. Count
Witte and Baron Rosen returned in an
automobile at noon. The japanese en-
yoys have not yet returned. NJ. Sato,
spokesman for the japanese, was posi-
tive this morning that todays sessions
of the ENJOYS would be barren of i'm
portant results. Informal preimnaries,
he thought, would occupy most OF the
| time.
The session lasted less than an hour.
1t was announced unofficially immedi-
ately after adjournment that the order of
business had been aged upon; that the
language to used should suit the con-
venience of the individual members and
that the second session should be held at
10 O'Clock tomorrow. Baron ROsen
stated that If treaty were agreed upon,
it would most likely be in French. From
high, but unofficial source it is learn
ed that the first action taken by the en-
voys today in the conference was the
presentation and reading of Presi
dent Roosevelt's indentical note to Japan
and Russia advocating peace and urging
the appointment Sf plenipOtentiaries.
This formed the basis of the conference.
The answer of the japanese government,
which was an unqualified acceptance of
the invitation, and which was made
public at the time, was then read and
made a part OF the records. The ac
ceptance of the Russian government was
then presented.
Portsmouth, Aug. 9.-After the re-
turn of the plenipotentiaries to the motel
frJm the navy yard, Mr.. Sato, on be-
half of the japanese, made the follow
ing statement: "Today's meeting was
entirely informal for the purpose of set
Ting the method of procedure. In that
meeting it was decided that formal meet
ings will commence tomorrow at 9:9O
Meetings will be held twice a day, one
from $50 a. m. to 1890 p. M, and the
other at p. m. TO $3.50 or 6 p. M, sub
iect to such modification as may be
agreed upon by the plenipotentiaries.
No serious business was transacted at
this mornings session"
st. Petersburg, Aug. 9.-Oficials con-
nected with the foreign Office have been
greatly impressed by telegram received
from London which says: president
Roosevelt has other means to bring about |
peace in the event of the failure of the |
negotiations. The message has caused |
a great deal of discussion as to just what !
the "uther means" may be. One high !
official in commenting on the telegram
said "a very clever and energetic !
statesman like President Roosevelt may |
astOnish the world"
st. Petersburg, Aug. M. White, |
Russia's ranking peace plenipotentiary,
has cabled to the Gar that the present |
situation in regard to the peace nego-
tiations is indefinite, but that his recep-
ton at all points where he has visited in
America has been much more cordial |
than could possibly have been expected.
Swimming the English Channel.
Dover, England, Aug. CT. w. |
Burgess, the Yorkshire swimmer, made |
another attempt today to swim the
English channel. He started at six
O'Clock this morning under favorable
circumstances. The sea was as smooth
as glass and Burgess made great head
way. The distance he covered in the
first three hours is considered to be re-
markable. Burgess has made two pre-
yi0us attempts to swim the channel.
A year ago he made his first effort and
on July % made the second attempt
On that occasion he was forced to give
up after getting within three miles of
the French coast, because he sprained
one of his legs.
Dover, Eng, Aug. AT 1890
o'clock Burgess had covered eleven miles
and was swimming strongly.
Dover, Eng, Aug. 9.-The latest re-
port received from Burgess this after