The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-10

~ WAS IIllb hnOWIcukb VI tiO SohSAeAoho
that had produced the consent OF the bel
ligerents TO appoint peace ENJOYS which
was responsible to a greater degree than
anything else for the pessi mistic feeling
that, existed abroad as to the outcome OF
the Portsmouth exchanges. Those who
shared that gloomy view are astonished
over the chance afforded by to-day's salts
factory proceedings for an amicabe under
standing. We're 1t not for the advices from
st. Petersburg, to which alldsion has been
made, the smoothness with which the pre-
limipares were arranged would permit no
other view among those who are not hide
bound In their opinion that the war cannot
be brought to close at this early day.
CREDENTIALS SATISFACTORY.
Perhaps the most significant augury OF
SUCCESS In the negotiations was Afforded,
prior to the receipt Of the cablegram con
corning conditions OF the feeling in Russia,
by the lack Of friction between the ENJOYS
IN tho mutual acceptance Of their respec-
tive credentials. It had been the UNDER
standing that the Japanese ENJOYS would
not treat with the Russian representatives
unless the latter were clothed with plenary
powers, and as the Russian letters Of credit
were re garded by some as not meeting that
condition there was 'uneasiness over the
result -
The Russian plenipote ntiaries held Gre
dentials giving them authority to discuss
terms OF peace and to negotiate and oon-
clude treaty subject to the approval Of the
Emperor, II the Japanese found these un-
satisfactory they showed no disposition to
bubble. but consented to accept them as
full and satisfactory. {:
Undue IMPORTANCE may have been at
tached to this matter, for it is now de-
clared that there was never any quest ion
over the 0xtent OF the powers that had been
granted to each OF the peace missions, but
the disposition here y, 10: regard; the out
come aasyhowing an exceedingly strong
disposition on the part of the negoiiators
to act in an amicable manner.
FnExnH The OFFICIAL LANGUAGE.
The initial session of the peace ENJOYS
was begun shortly after 40 o clock this
morning and lasted little more than all
hour. 1t vas harmonious, even cordial,
from lightning t6Tend. The Russian rep
resentatives, Mr.. Witte and Baron Rosen,
and The Japanese emissaries. Baron Komura
and Mr.. Takahira, were taken In separate
automobiles from the Hotel Wentworth
to the storage warehouse in the Portsmouth
Navy Yard. where they arctic conduct their
negotiations, With the RussiaA ENJOYS
was Mr.. KabakoT, one Of the secretaries
Of the Czar,s mission, and with the japanese
ENJOYS was Mr.. Adachi, their powerful
secretary.
Upon arriving at the storage warehouse
each party went at once to Its auteroom,
and after a brief wait all assembled in
the conference room, where forma greet
ings we're exchanged. Ceremony was dis
pensed with and the Ell voys proceeded to
business Immediately.
They experienced little, II any. difficulty
In determining. upon the mode Of con-
Quoting the proceedings. It was agreed
that In the oral conferences any envoy
might speak the tongue which he preferred
to use, but that the written exchanges
and the treaty of peace, II one were con-
cluded, should be in the French language.
Mr. Vito especially pleaded for French
although he speaks it indinerently. He
does not know English, while Mr.. Takahira,
who doee. has little acquaintance with
French.
II treaty ia made, there will be copies
In Japanese and Russian, but where ques-
tons Of Interpretation arise the French
version is to be followed. In the con-
versation necessary to the arrangement
OF this detail Baron Komura, following
the Ecense given as to the language Of
the oral procedure, spoke Japanese, which
was translated into French by his secretary,
while Mr.. Witte, as the Russian spokes-
mar, used French.
Thssease with which. this matter was
disposed of Is being accepted as an indica-
ton OF disposition s0R the part ,of the
ENJOYS to get on WITH their work without
any Pickering. 1t was supposed that the
Japanese would insist that the records Of
the difference should be kept in English,
and That one Of the copies Of the treaty
should be in that language, but there was
no trouble whatever In determining upon
French.
Observation-Disclosures also gave evidance
Of aWish to reach an agreement as soon
rs possible by deciding that there should
be two sessions daily, the first to begin at
$50 A. n. and TO last Until 1890. anti the
second to begin at 8 and last until $50 or
Q o'clock. q" - .-.'>'' -.
JAP OVERSIGHT PROMPTLY EXCUSED.
But the most marked example Of the
satisfactory feeling that prevailed was
given when the question Of credentials
was brought forward. Mr. White pro-
duoed those OF himself and Baron Rosen
and suggested that there he an exchange
Baron Komura thereupon explained that
he and Mr.. Takahra had not expected
the first days proceedings to progress 80
rapidly, and they had consequently not
thought Of bringing their letters of credence
To this Mr. Witte oourteously offered to
waive formalty in he matter, and he
said such q course was not necessary when
Baron Komura offered to send to the Went
worth for the absent papers. Baron Ko-
mura, however, asked and obtained per-
mission to make plain orally and from
memory the extent Of the powers con-
ferred upon himself and Mr.. Takahira,
and when he had concluded the Russian
plenipotentiaries expressed themselves as
satisfied that the letters Of their opponents
were In proper form.
II any suspicion existed on the part of
the Russians over the failure of the Jap
anese to produce their credentials, it was