The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-08-07
Heavy Fog Causes q POST
ponement Of the Reception
Of the Plenipotentiaries.
TOMORROW'S PROGRAMME
PORTSMOUTH IN GALA ATTIRE
FOR THE ENJOYS NELCoMH-
wITTE TRAVELS BY TRAIN,
STAYING IN BOSTON.

PORTSMOUTH. N. H.. August Z.
1905:-In view of the uncertainty exist
ing here as to the time when the vessels
would get in bearing the Japanese en-
voys and also as to the exact plan Of
Mr.. Witte. it was definitely decided this
morning to postpone until tomorrow the
official ceremonies of welcome that had
been set down for to-day.
So tomorrow will be taken up with
the exchange of courtesies between the
two commissions and Rear Admiral
Meade. in command of the Navy Yard,
and in the reception in Portsmouth By
Gov. McLane, of New Hampshire.
Mr.. Witte is expected here by train be-
fore noon. 1t is thought that the erui-
sers should be in the harbor by evening.
The proceedings now planned for to
morrow are purely in the way Of
formal welcome. Rear-Admiral Meade.
with his staff, is to call on the Russian
ENJOYS, then on the japanese, the de-
cision having been finally rendered that
Russia, maintaining an Ambassador
here is entitled TO precedence as Japan
sends only Minister Mr. Witte, Baron
Komura and their suites will then go to
the Navy Yard and have luncheon with
the Admiral
Portsmouth claims them next The
Governors of New Hamshire have sell
dom had chance to draw the worlds
eye their ways The excellencies Of
North and South Carolina are better
known the country at large. But the
State is going to make the day mem-
orable one. Her coloneIs and generals
have been gathering here by every train.
Tn town is gay with bunting. and when
the ENJOYS leave the marine escort in
the centre of the Kittery Bridge, the d.
yiding line between the States. they will
be taken in hand by a provisional reg
iment of militia and paraded through the
town to the Rockingham County Court
House, where Gov. John McLane, sur
rounded by his staff and leading citizens,
will welcome them in brief speech.
Then they will be free to go to their
quarters at the hotl.
The diplomatic battle begins Wednes-
day. Whether the debates will last q
day, week or month is now mat
ter of pure guesswork. No one has an
idea, or can have. until the first meeting
in the Kittery Point Navy Yard. 0pin-
ions are to be heard by the score. They
take the mind back to the Spanish wsr
days, when in the squadrons. weeks ct
sea, rumors were constantly ahoat re-
garding events reported to be happening
far away, one ship hailing another day
after day, generally to inquire for news.
As regards the peace problem, Ports
mouth has been as vessel at sea. Opina
ions are heard, but opinions only, an4
rhey are the outgrowth of the passage oe
the japanese and Russian e1voys
through New York and Oyster Bay, and
until the polite and talkative Mr.. Sato
says something, and Mr.. Witte and some
Of his suite break their pessimistie So
lence, it is impossible to say what japaU
demands and what Russia will give.
President Rooseyelt's attitude the gem
eral feeling in this country and in the
world at large that the war should end.
will, it is thought, go far toward making
the conference thoroughly serious eff
fort to secure from Japan moderation
of her terms, if those terms are too oner-
Gus for the hard-pressed Czar and hia
Government.
| But the statement of Mr.. Sato. before
coming here, that he did not consider the
peace prospect very bright, and the gem
eral attitude of the Russians, both those
of the commission and those at home, ara
responsible for feeling of doubt as ts
the outcome. Having come 50 far. nsi
ther Mr.. Witte nor Baron Komura ID
likely to break without long struggle
for an agreement.
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