Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-08-10
CREDENTIALS ARE sATlsFAc-
TORY AND yn,.sJYs ARE READY
FOR BUSINESS.

HA We FULL PO w E RS
Representatives Of Japan and Those
Of Russia are Able to Conclude
Peace-Witte Wants to Learn Japa.
nese Terms-EngIish and French
Languages to Be Used.
st. Petersburg, Aug. 9.-Gen.
Linevitch in telegram to the en-
peror, dated August 8, reports that
Russian forces operating east Of
the Mandarin road advanced Au-
gust 8 towards a defile near Cha
gon. The Japanese assumed the
offensive and turned both flanks,
compelling the Russians to retreat
to the northward.
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. 9.-The
day which was to bring the initial
: meeting of the Russian-Japanese
peace plenipotentiaries at the
navy yard here opened with de-
Ightful weather conditions.
Baron Komura and Mr. Taxa.
hira and Secretary. Adatoi left
the hotel Wentworth by automo-
bile for the navy yard at 10
o'clock. Witte and Baron Rosen
departed shortly after in another
automobile, leaving by the second
ary entrance, which leads to their
apartments.
With the approach of the hour
Of the meeting the feeling became
more pronounced that an armis-
tice would not be agreed upon
until the success of the negotia-
tions is assured.
Portsmouth, Aug. 9.-The first ses
zion Of the peace conference has beel
concluded. 1t lasted about an hour
No business was done besides the eS
shanging Of credentials and arrangin,
The program for future sessions.
Credentials Are Satisfactory.
The. credentials were found to be en-
hrely satisfactory. The next meetin!
will be held tomorrow at $3.50. a. N
After the conference the ENJOYS spen
some time in their respective Offices
Leaving the general stores ebuildin
shortly after noon they returned t
New Castle by launch. The Japanes
were first to leave the naval yard lan6
ing. The Russians followed shortl
afterwards, the trip to the hotel bein
made by the Russians and Japanese i
Beparate boats.
French and English Language.
The ENJOYS agreed that the Englis
and French language should be use
Jointly and that the official minutes c
the meetings shall be recorded in bot
languages.
Credentials Closely scrutinized.
Each side scrutinized with tn
greatest care the credentials brougf
by the other The Japanese remen
bered that China, in the hope of d.
veloping Japan's terms. following tn
war of 1894-'95, provided Ii Hun
Chang with credentials which did nc
bear the signature of the empero
They were rejected, and before neg
tiations could be institute | the Oh
nese envoy was compelled to obtai
new powers from Peking. On th
score there was no difficulty on eithe
side. Both the parties are possesse
of full powers.
: Move for Suppression of Debates.
1t Is quite likely that a committe
will be appointed to frame rules an
regulations for the conferences, an
that a resolution will be proposed SUI
pressing debates so that the discus
sions may be full, frank and friendl
Only the decisions that may be reacl
ed and the memoranda which will t
filed will be made a part of the of
c1al protocols. A protocol which
really record Of what is done is
be prepared following each confe
ence.
1t will be the aim of the Russians
throw upon Japan from the outset {
the negotiations the responsibility fc
the Inauguration Of the war \
W1tte proposes to make an emphat
presentation of Russia's peace att
tide preceding the attack on Russia
Warships at Port Arthur by Japanes
torpedo boats.
The Japanese expect something
the kind and will await M Whites stat
ment with a great deal of interes
less because they attach importanc
TO this aspect of the negotiations tha
on account of the developments whic
will point to whether M. Witte hs
merged his personal views with tt
opinions of Russian officialdom.
\ Those who know M. Whites oppos
tion to the course of the Russian 20
ernment prior to the war, and the r
peated predictions that Japan wou,
ha forcod into bocti1itioe WITH ~