The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-08-08

Oyster Bay, New York, August g.
History was made today in Oyster Bay
Russians and japanese clasped hands
and greeted one another with all out
ward evidence of cordiality, and for the
first time since nations began to have
relations, one with another, an execu-
tive Of great power received the en-
vOys of two belligerent countries on
mission Of peace. President Roosevelt,
on behalf of the United States and it's
people, extended formal greetings to
the representatives of Russia and ia
pan, introduced the plenipotentiaries to
one another, and entertained them at
an elaborate luncheon, at which Rus
SLAMS and Japanese fraternized with
one another as comrades rather than
as enemies.
During the luncheon President
Roosevelt proposed notable toast, in
which he expressed the Earnest hope
and prayer in the interest not only of
these two great powers, but of all civ
ilized mankind, that just and lasting
tween them
The occasion was impressive. 1t was
attended not by pOmp and ceremony
but by a simplicity and frankness char
acteristic of the PRESIDENT and of The
people of America.
Due honor was paid the distinguish
ed guests of the President and of the
country, and they were received with
all the dignity to which their exalted
rank entitled them.
The day was ideal After the sun
had burned away the haze of early
morning the weather was glorious. A
brisk breeze just tipped the waves of
Long Island sound with silver, temper
ing. at the same time, the heat of the
suns rays.
The handsome war-yacht Mayflower,
one of the most beautiful vessels of the
United States navy, on which the for
NAL reception of the Russian and Japa-
nese plenipotentiaries took place,
swung easily at anchor just at the en-
trance of Oyster Bay from Long ISL
and sound. 4 quarter of a mile away
was the dispatch boat Dolphin, the fa-
vOrite cruising vessel of several PreSi-
dents of the United States. Two miles
away the cruiser Galveston was an
chOred, in waiting to convey the vessels
bearing the envoyS to the seat of the
Washington Peace Conference at Ports
mouth, n. H.
The Mayfower is in command of
Commander Cameron MGR. Winslow,
President ROOsevalt's naval aide, who
was detailed to this duty as a special
mark Of distinction to the peace com
missiOners by ttc President
Before the arrival of the President
and the ENJOYS, the cabin Of the May
flower was handsomely decorated with
flowers. The luncheon table in the
main saloon was laden with flowers.
No attempt was made to decorate
the cabins of toe vessel with flags
care being exercised in every feature oi
the ceremony attendant upon the re
ception not in the slightest way tc Of
fend the sensibilities of the guests Oi
the occasion.
Every officer of the Mayfiower was
.attlred in special full dress uniform,
the crew were III sailor men dress o1
snowy white.
Rear Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee
was aboard the Mayf1ower as the CUES
of Commander Winslow.
Major General Frederick D. Grant
commander of the department of tn
east and Rear Admiral Joseph B. Cogh
Ian, commandant of the Brooklyn nav!
yard, respectively the representative
of the army and tie navy at the recep
ton, went aboar1 the Mayfower a
1850 a. m.
AS President Roosevelt stepped OF
the gangway to ascend to the deck c