The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1905-08-10

Oyster Bay, L. l. (SpeciaD. History
was made at Oyster Bay. Russians
and Japanese clasped hands and greet
ed one another with all outward evil
dence of cordiality. and for the first
time since nations began 10 have rela-
tons one with another an Executive OF
a great power received the ENJOYS of
two belligerent countries on a mission
of peace.
President Roosevelt, on behalf of the
United States and its people, extended
formal greetings to the representatives
of Russia ard Japan, introduced the
plenpotentiaries to one another and en-
tertained them at an elaborate buffet
luncheon, at which Russians and Japa-
nese fraternized as comrades rather than
as enemies
During the luncheon President RoOse-
welt proposed a notable toast. in which
he expressed the earnest hope and
prayer, in the interest not only OF these
two great powers, but of all civilized
mankind, that a just and lasting peace
may speedily be concluded between
them"
The occasion was impressive 1t was
attended not By pomp and ceremony,
but by simplicity and frankness char
acteristic OF the President and the peo-
pie of America.
Due honor was paid the distinguished
guests of the President and of the coun-
try. and they were received with all the
dignity to which their exalted rank er-
titled them.
The day was ideal After the sun had
burned away the haze of early morning
the weather was delightful. A brisk
breeze just tipped the waves of Long
Island Sound with silver, tempcring 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 form
al reception of the Russian and Japa-
nese plenipotentiaries took place. swung
easily at anchor just at the entrance of
Oyster Bay from Long Island Sound.
quarter of mile away was the dis
patch boat Dolphin, the favorite cruis-
ing vessel OF several Presidents of the
United States. Two miles out in the
sound the cruiser Galveston was an
chored, in waiting TO convoy the YES
sells bearing the ENJOYS TO the seat of
the Washington peace conference at
Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The Mayflower is in command of
Commander Cameron MGR. Winslow,
President Roosevelt'S naval aid, who
was detailed to this duty as a special
mark of distinction to the peace COM
mission by the President. Before the
arrival of the President and the .envoys
the cabins of the Mayhower were hand
somely decorated with flowers. The
luncheon table in the main saloon was
laden with flowers
The flower used principally in the
decorations was the gladiolus-a recent
ly created variety known as American"
1t is superb purple blossom. which at
first glance gives the observer the i'm
preston of a rare orchid.
No attempt was made TO decorate the
cabins of the vessels with flags, care be-
ing exercised in every feature of the
ceremony attendant upon the reception
not in the slightest way to offend the
sensibiities of the guests of the occa-
sion.
In order that no questions of prece-
dence should arise, it was determined
that the luncheon should be buffet af-
fair. In this way was avoided the ne
cessity of seating the ENJOYS at table
with the President.