Democratic messenger., 1905-08-12
tKo|';;sE;NI
RUSSIAN AND JAPANESE PEAcz ENJOYS

part of the thousands OF persons who
thronged the streets of Portsmouth
and surrounded the court house. where
Governor McI.ane pronounced his cor.
dial words of welcome.
The ENJOYS of both Japan and Rus.
sia we're much affected by the demon
strations of the American public. NJ.
Witte rode through the business sec.
tion of the town with his tall silk hat
raised above his head in constant &C.
knowledgment of salutes. Ambassa-
dor Rosen, in the same carriage. was
also uncovered in honor of the cheer
ing crowds. In the carriage following
were the two Japanese ENJOYS. and
they. too. were not remiss in respond.
ing TO the hurrahs of the crowds.
The ENJOYS were met at the court
house by Third Assistant Secretary OF
State Pierce, who first presented Mr..
Witte TO Governor McI.ane. and then
Baron Komura. The senior Russian
commissioner presented his suite to
the chief executive of New Hampshire
and the Japanese plenipotentiaries did
likewise Governor McIane's formal
speech OF welcome was responded to
by profound bow OF both parties At
the conclusion of the ceremonies the
Russians were arranged on the right
OF the governor. the Japanese on the
left, with Mr. Peirce on the immediate
right. The group was then surround
ed by the governors staff and council.
and the entire party was photo.
graphed.
The first meeting of the plenipoten-
tiaries was of an entirely informal
character. so informal. in fact. that
Baron Komura did not bring his letter
OF credence to the Portsmouth navy
yard. whereas MIR. Witte was armed
with the original document In Rus.
sian, setting forth the powers con
ferred upon him. and also with
translation of the document. The lat
ter he read. Baron Komura was EN-.
barrassed and offered to send back
TO the hotel for his commission. but
Mr.. Witte expressed his faith that the
credentials were full and ample and
II was arranged that official ext hange
OF credentials should be made tomor-
row. Later however. copies OF the
credentials were informally exchang-
ed. in order that they might be exam
ined before the meeting tomorrow.
IL was decided to hold two daily
sessions. one in the morning begin
ming at $3.50. and one In the afternoon.
beginning at g. Three secretaries for
each side will be in attendance to
draw up the protocols of the meetings.
which will be written in both English
and French. The French text. how
ever. In case of dispute. will be accept.
ed In evidence tfaire fob
While the Russian plenipotentiarles
expect the japanese to present the
Japanese terms Immediately upon the
official exchange of credentials tomor.
row. they admit they are in the dark.
Baron Komura and his colleagues de.
cline to give any intimation of their
course of procedure.
There was some disposition To at.
tribute Baron komuras forgetfulness
In not bringing his credentials to the
meeting desire TO spar for time. and
for that reason some doubt was ex-
pressed whether the japanese would
show their hand tomorrow. but the
Russian envoys do not question Baron
Komuras good faith. and frankly say
Il was due to n misunderstanding.
In the opinion OF the Russians. the
emperor's manifesto promulgating the