The San Francisco call., 1905-08-09
RUSSO JAPANESE PEACE MISSIONS
WILL BEGIN SESSIONS TODAY.
State Of Nezv HAMPSHIRE and City of
Portsmouth Glye Hearty Wei
cone to THE Enyoys.
FI0e Weeks May Be Requued for the
Negotiations Thar Are Exbected to
End the Far Eust War.

PORTSMOUTH, n. H, Aug. S.-The
Russian and Japanese peace missions
have submitted themselves to introduc-
tion and likewise to all of the cere-
monies of welcome and reception on the
part of the United States Government
and the State of New Hampshire and
are tonight on the eve of facing one
another for the purpose of ending the
war in the Far East, and If possible,
consummating a permanent peace be-
tween the two great nations.
Tomorrow they will meet in the naval
stores building of the Portsmouth navy
yard The Russian plenipotentiaries
will examine the credentials and
powers which the Emperor of Japan
has delegated to Baron Komura and
Minister Takahira, and they in turn
de Witte and Baron Rosen
The second days session, to take
place on Thursday or Friday. II is ex-
pected. will be devoted either to con-
sideration of the Japanese peace terms
or to proposition for an armistice by
the Russian plenipotentiaries. It has
been estimated that if basis of nego-
tiations for peace be found the actual
negotiations will consume about five
weeks before treaty can be perfected
and signed.
DISPLAY OF HOSPITALITY.
The landing and reception of the
ENJOYS to-day was a function replete
with ceremony. The dignity of the ma
tons salute was contraSted with the
hearty exclamations of good will on
the part of thousands of persons who
thronged the streets of Portsmouth and
surrounded the Courthouse. where Gov
ernor McLane pronounced his cordial
words of welcome.
The ENJOYS of both Japan and Rus
sia were much affected by the demon
stration of the American public. Mr..
de Witte rode through the business sec
tion of the town with his tall silk hat
raised above his head in constant
acknowledgment of salutes. Embassa-
dor Rosen, in the same carriage, also
was uncovered in honor of the cheer
ing crowds.
In the carriage following were the
two Japanese ENJOYS and they too,
were not remiss in responding to the
hurrahs of the crowds Three carriages
were occupied by each mission. and, in
the procession through the streets of
Portsmouth, the Russians and Japanese
were given alternate positions-the
first, third and fifth carriages were oc-
cupied by Russians and the second,
fourth and sixth by Japanese.
The public was vigorously excluded
from the navy yard, where the ENJOYS
fected expeditiously and everything
moved without the slightest Interrupt
ton.
The Russian suite was proceeding to
the breakfast room from the landing
when the salute from the battery an
nounced the landing Of the Japanese.
WELCOMED BY THE GOVERNOR.
The ENJOYS were met at the Court
house by Third Assistant Secretary
Peirce, who presented Mr. de Witte to
Governor McLane, and then Baron Ko-
mura. The senior Russian commits
sioner presented his suite to the chief
executive of New Hampshire and the
Japanese plenipotentiary did likewise.
Governor McLane's formal speech OF
welcome was brief. but cordial. He
said:
In behalf of the Government and the people
Of New Hampshire / have the pleasure and
honor of extending to your Excelencies the
hospitality OF our State We realize that you
have come upon a momentous errand and l am
sure that / voice the sentiments of all the
world in expressing the hope that here In this
ancient community, where cruster many of the
finest traditions of American history, you may
be able so to proceed with your historic nego-
tiations that they may be crowned by treaty
Of Portsmouth, whose enduring terms will re-
fleet credit upon yourselves will meet the |
approval of the illustrious sovereigns whom |
you represent and will prove blessing to your |
people and benefaction to all mankind
The Governors speech was responded to |
with a 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 surrounded by the |
Governors staff and council and the |
entire party was photographed.
No one except the Governors staff and |
council, United States Senators Burn
lam and Gallinger, Representatives Sui
oway and Currier and Assistant Secre- /
ary Peirce were present at the Court |
house function, although crowds sur
.ounded the building.
ENJOYS PROVE DEMOCRATIC.
When the Hotel Wentworth was reached
shortly after o'clock there was an out
ourst of applause, carried on in good |
aatured rivalry. The Russian suite ig-