Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-08

Tn It's gates and the other three praC-
 tically at the harbor's mouth, Ports.
 mouth aroused itself this morning tc
 the realization that one of the most
 important days in its history was ac.
 tually at hand. The Russian envoy,
 Mir Witte arrived late last night and
 early this morning wireless message
 was received from one of the fleet
 which left Oyster BayNon Saturday
 with other envoys that the vessels
 were not far from the Isles of Shoals
 and that the little vessels fleet would
 anchor in the harbor just before 9
 o'clock. Like yesterday the day dawn
 ed clear and bright and also with in-
 dications of severe heat before the
 festivities would be concluded. At an
 early hour the streets began to fill up
 as steam trains, trolley cars and pri
 vate conveyances brought visitors
 from all parts of southeastern New
 Hampshire. They found this famous
 old seaport elaborately ,draped with
 flags and bunting, the buildings mak.
 ing an attractive picture, to those
 who strolled up and down the higl-
 ways
 VI thC cCItiCuiNht ol WhlSu
 dates back to within few years of the pilgrims landing at Plymouth, for days has had an air of appreciating the importance of the pending confer ence. With the coming of the day of meeting, with the envOys at the doors, with the governor and other state dig nitaries in readiness to speak their part, with the military arriving to do escort duty and with people throng- ing into the city, sentiment was changed to positive belief that the event which was about to take place had no precedent in history. It was the first time that three continents were directly interested in peace ne gotiations and it was declared by those who were to participate, that if peace were concluded Ports mouth would take her place m fame with Utrecht and Campofor- mic. The postponement of the cere- monies for 24 hours on account of de- lay in the arrival of the envoys and the fact that hundreds came here yes terday only to be disappointed by the change in arrangements apparently did not cool their ardor. The capacity of the various traffic lines was taxed to the limit by the demands of those who desired to visit the city to-day.
 The New Hampshire National Guard began coming in at $50. Twelve hundred troops arrived be- tween that hour and 10 o'clock. As they sought breakfast places in the business section there was hustle and hurry greatly in contrast to the usual sober quietness of the staid 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 a gala appear ance to those at the navy yard. AL the yard the battalion of marines who are to form guard of honor while the envoys breakfast as the guests of Rear Admiral Meade. were on the pa- rade ground in regular uniforms going through the evolutions which were to be their part in the ceremonies.
 squad of secret service men ar rived in the city this morning and sta- tioned themselves for work according to their carefully prepared plans fos forming an effective guard for illo safety of the distinguished person. ages.
 At the navy yard the last touches had been given to make everything | ready for the conference. all the pre- parations indicating GesIre to give | to the guests a fine taste of American comfort Admiral Meade to-day i'm parted the last strictest instructions | 10 insure the perfect secrecy of the | meetings and the arrangements are | such that the members of the peace | commission while within the navy | yard will be watched closer than the | cardinals during the last conclave for | the election of the pope.
 The fleet was off the harbor entrance | shortly after Q o'clock and at quarter | past that hour was slowly steaming in | hy the Wentworth. It was but few l moment after 9:30 when the vessels dropped anchor off the navy yard.
 At tbat hour the ideal weather con- ditions had changed slightly. The sky | had become somewhat overcast with | bazy clouds, but dog day sultriness was tempered by cool air from the sea. At the Hotel Wentworth Mir Witte got up early, beginning at once to work preparing with Mir Wilenkir some dispatches to his government in answer to those which reached him during the night. Speaking to the rep of the Associated Press, he said that he is more than ever ami mated by the desire of doing all in his power to conclude peace, but that as he has often stated, all will depend on what the Japanese expect to obtain However, he will leave nothing unat tempted to reach the desired end. and In case of the failure the world vii fudge on whom the responsibility shall rest. Changing argument of converse. tion. NJ. Witte, who had been working up to then in his shirt sleeves. saii that notwithstanding the beautiful. peenery and the sea breeze he had feN pretty warm even here.
 q expected he added. that it would be cooler
 NJ. Witte lunched in his own room, then dressed in frock coat and white vest to go on board the Mayfiower. M. vitte walked from the Hotel Went worth to the board landing accom- panied by NJ. Wilenken and escorted tr Mr Moses. secretary to Governor ucIane, and the officer in command of he launch on which he left at e.JO l. m. to reach the Mayfower. All the nests of the Hotel Wentworth gath ,red on the veranda of the hotel to witness his departure. Several ama- eur photographers took pictures of {