Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-11


calls. Wednesday afternoon. on Rear
Adj. Mead. commandant of the navy
yard. remaining at mis- residence in the
yard for 20 minutes. They were then
driven in their automobiles up the Goa st
to the residence of See. PIERCE where
they also called.
+, The morning conference Of the peace
lenvoys ended at 12.45 o'clock. when
the ENJOYS adjourned and Immediately
repaired to lunch rooms in the naval
stores building. These rooms are di-
;rectly across the corridor from the con-
ference rooms. The next meeting ac-
.cording to the schedule of business ar
ranged, yesterday. is to begin at .
o'clock.
| The morning session had lasted en-
actly. two hours and had been a. most
friendly character.
The Observation-Disclosures md '""'r COG
'retaries sat on opposite sides OF 2
, large table. Baron komura and NJ.
White faced each other in the center
Baron Rosen sitting on NJ. Whites left
and Mr.. Takahira upon Baron komu-
ra's right. Mr. KOrostovetz sat next
to Baron Rosen and Mr.. Otchiai next
to Mr.. Takahira. On the other side of
the PRINCIPALS sat Messrs. Adochi and
Sata of the Japanese and Messrs. Ma
ookoff and Kudacheif fer the Russians
The Russian note on the failure of
Baron Komura to produce his creden-
tials was presented and made part of
the permarcrt record without objec
ton on the part of the Japanese.
! The official credentials We're then
officially exchanged. AS each side had
previously had an opportunity to cX-
anime them thi., was largely a mat
ter of form. a somewhat general dis
cussion followed in which Baron Ko-
mura and NJ. Witte spoke frankly of
the purpose of the meeting The best
of spirit was manifested and the dis
icussion widened. Baron ROsen and Mr.
Takahira participating. French and
English being used. Daring the course
of the exchange it was agreed that
Baron kOmura should Immediately pre-
sent The japanese terms and NJ. Witt
promised to give a reply at the earliest
possible moment. In order to avoid
misunderstanding it was arranged
that the reply and all formal co,nmuni-
Fcations should be made in writing
This undoubtedly having been reach
ed just before the session adjourned
Ba on Komura handed the document
to NJ. White vino thrust it in his pocket
without opening it. While the Japan
csc went to luncheon NJ. Witte with
Mr.. Rosen repaired to their private
rooms where they examined the docu-
ment upon which SO much depends. \
desire for expedition YVES expressed
To
possible that the Russian reply can be
given at :hs afternoons session the
plcnipOtentiaries will remain in the
navy yard. the Japanese awaiting the
pleasure of their adverSaries.
Only Mr.. Korostovetz of the Russian
mission returned from the navy yard
to the Wentworth for the purpose of
| communicating to the press about his
mornings meeting.
Immediately after the pienipotentia-
| res and their secretaries gathered in the
| conference room and exchanged compli-
| mentary words partly in French and
| partly in Japanese. NJ. White produced
| a diplomatic note addressed to the
| Japanese plenipotentiarics in cOnnec-
| ton with their failure to present their
| credentials at yesterdays meeting.
What the contents of this note are
| cannot yet be learned, but there is a
| basis for the belief that NJ. WHITE in
| this note took occasion to give express
| son to the surprise which he undoubt-
| eddy felt that the Japanese plenipoten-
| tiaries after having from the outset of
| the preliminary negotiations laid so
much stress on the necessity of exam
| lining credentials before the first step
| was taken. should. at the first meeting
| have failed to bring with them full Of
/ fetal letters.
| 1t was the underSta nding of the Rus
| sian ENJOYS that Baron Komura would
| decline To even open negotiations Of the
| most informal character unless he had
| satisfied himself of the validity of the
| full powers of NJ. White. Historical pre-
| ccd, nts arc quoted in the note to show
| the irregularity of yesterdays proceed
| ings. The purpose of the Russian note
| was to make the permanent record
complete and make it show clearly the
| attitude of the nlenipotcntiaries from
| the beginning of the conference.
! Immediately after M. Witte and Ba-
! ron Rosen had looked over the Japan
| csc terms an automobile was sent to
the Wentworth Hotel for the five Rus
I, sian delegates, Prof. DeMartens. Mr..
| Pokotilon, Mr.. Shipoff. Gen. Yerma :
loft and Commander Roussine and af-
ter luncheon the Russian plenipOtentia-
| ries and delegates began the considera-
ttion of the conditions. Meantime with
| little prospect of an afternoon session
Baron kcmura. Mr.. Takahira and the
| japanese returned to the hotel with
| the understanding they would return
| instantly if desired.
| The japanese peace ENJOYS lett 'he
| naval stores building at the navy yard
in their automobile shortly after
O'Clock. indicating that the afternoon
| session of the conference had been
| abandoned The automobile of the Rus
| sian cnvoys at this time was waiting
| at the doors of the building. The Rus
| sian minister to Pekin was in consulta-
| ton with the Russian plenipotentiarles
| at the navy yard during the session. to-
|