The San Francisco call., 1905-08-08
De W|TTE
THE FIRST
To ARRIVE
Russian Envoy Is
Now at Ports
mouth.
Japanese Will Reach
Meeting Place
To-Day.
Formal Reception to Guests
of Nation Delayed Forty
Eight Hours.

PORTSMOUTH, N. H, Aug. 7-Sergius
de Witte arrived in this city tonight
from Boston at 11:15 o'clock, coming in
special car attached to the Bar Harbor
express He was enabled to avoid the
crowd of several hundred persons assem-
bled at the railroad station through the
train stopping at a crossing a quarter of
mile from the depot. Mr.. de Wftte was
met by Herbert d. Peirce, son of the
Third Assistant Secretary of State. who,
in Russian, informally welcomed the dis
tinguished visitor. Governor McI.ane's S
secretary, Mr.. Moss, also was present.
Three automobiles were in waiting and
the party was at once taken to Hotel
Wentworth. about four miles distant
There was considerable disappointment
among those assembled at the station
when the distinguished foreigner failed
| to appear after the arrival of the train
1t was soon learned that the Russians
had left the train at the crossing and
there was a rush toward the street Lead
ing to Wentworth. but the foreigners were
well on their way before the crowd
reached the scene.
There was great disappointment u this
city to-day over the delay in the arrival
of the Russian and Japanese peace ENJOYS
Although notice was promptly given yes
terday by Rear Admiral Meade of the
Portsmouth navy yard upon learning that
the United States warships bearing the
representatives. of Japan and Russia had
been delayed by fog at Newport, the
news of the postponement of the func-
tions had not reached many of the citi-
Zens of Portsmouth and its environs
Consequently this section of New Hamp-
shire was astir early, and by o'clock
every electric line from the country was
bringing crowds of sightseers.
When the fact of the postponement be-
came generally known there were many
expressions of disappointment. but upon
the circulation of the rumors of the pos
sible arrival of the ships most of the
crowd decided to have holiday anyway.
The postponement of the functions neces-
STATED hurry orders to the State troops,
which were to have arrived here from all
parts of the State. Governor McLare
was up at daylight debating telegraphic
orders to the troops to REMAIN away until
tomorrow. Information also was dis
patched to the Congressional delegation
of the State, the members of which had
been invited to participate.
During the forenoon Governor McLane
received a telegram from Third Assistant
Secretary Peirce stating that the May
flower and Dolphin and the Galveston.
their convoy, would not arrive until
TUESDAY morning anu Aildt lilS pTOpOSeu
reception should be postponed forty-eight
hours, without any change in the pro-
gramme already arranged Informal no.
tice was then issued to this effect.
Although the navy yard settled back
into It's accustomed routine somewhat ear
her than the residents of the city, the
operators in the wireless station had a
very busy day trying to pick up the Dol
phin, which has the Japanese ENJOYS on
s~1,$
merous calls, 1t was said at dark that
the Dolphin was off Cape Cod, seventy
five miles away. She was steaming slow
ly and those on board thought she would
reach the harbor about 8 o'clock to-mor-
row morning.
On the way from Boston Mr.. de Witte
dictated a statement concerning dis
patches from Toxic. It was as follows:
81 have read in the telegram from Toxic
that the Japanese captured 10000 Russian
soldiers on the island of Saghalien dur
ing the recent operations there. Now, so
far as I know, the whole garrison in Sag
halien Island consisted of no more than
1000 It is a known fact that the Russian
soldiers do not surrender, and If we take
into consideration that some of the SOL
diers of the island garrison were killed,
then the number Of captured could not
even reach 1000.
QC uOL WISH Ot Oil " iiliillIlllZc l1O
successes or bravery Of the Japanese, but
at the same time all the people of Russia,
and myself cannot help being surprised
at the cables which have reached us dur
ing the war from Toxic. According to
them, If all the Russian soldiers which
have from time to time been reported
from Toxic as captured killed or wounded
had in fact been captured, killed or
wounded by the Japanese, Russia would
- &c ary,or OF oil
and then my journey to the United States
would be quite superfluous.
Reading these cables, a well known
Russian proverb comes to my memory. I
might translate 1t thus: One can exag-
gerate, but there is a limit to exaggera-
tion.