Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-01
DIFFICULT TO SOLVE
Perplexing Question Of Dip
lomatic Etiquette.
RECEIVING THE ENJOYS
WILL BEGIN NEXT
SATURDAY.
Precedence in the Matter Of Boarding
con Matter of Dispute.

Seldom if ever, have the officials of the
State Department had to deal with a more
delicate or perpleXing question of diplo-
ma tic etiquette than is involved in the re-
ception and entertainment of the Japanes e
and Russian peace envoys. The question
of precedence has always been an annoying
one to this government. In foreign courts
set rules govern all diplomatic intercourse,
but in this country it is unsettled mat
ter, and on account of this uncertainty has
always proved perplexng. The members of
the diplomatic corps are great stickleIs in
matters of precedence. There have been
numerous complaints on state occasions Ly
the ambassadors and ministers because
senators and even members of the Supreme
Court have been given places before the
diplomatic corps
Troubles Begin Saturday.
The difficulties that now confront the
State Department will begin next Saturday,
when the two peace delegations will be con-
veyed ii separate war vessels to Oyster
Bay to meet the President and to be pre-
sented to each other.
Which of the suites shall first board the
Mayfiower is the first problem. 1t has been
tentatively decided that if the launches con-
tanning the Japanese should arrive at the
side of the Mayiower before those of
the Russians the first arrival shall drift
around until the second arrives. They will
be supposed to approach the ladder leading
to the deck of the Mayfiower at the same
time but then the question arises who shall
go up first because the ladder will admit
but one person at a time. Two ladders
may be used for the occasion.
Once on the deck another question will
arise as to who shall be first received by
the President and introduced to each other
After all that is settled then comes the
ticklish matter of seating the guests at the
table at the luncheon given by the President
The place of honor, of course, is to the
right of Mr.. Roosevelt, and the burning
question now is who will occupy that place.
Both countries have designated the rank of
their plenipotentiaries, and as the Russian
ambassador is named number two in the
Russian delegation and Count Witte as
number one, precedent is upset by placing
the ambassador in second place. Count
Witte possibly outranks Baron komura,
and Mr.. Takahira is a minister and not an
ambassador, like Baron Rosen, and that
may prove a solution to the yexed ques-
ton.
But the japanese are the victors, and
their country has lately paid such honor to
Secretary Taft and Miss Roosevelt that it
might seem d1scourteous to place them in a
subordinate place. No matter how they
seated, the ENJOYS, being trained diplo
mats, will undoubtedly accept the situation
with becoming grace and unruftied counte
nance.
Diplomats Watching With Interest.
The members of the diplomatic corps are
watching with great interest to see how
the State Department is going to solve
these questions of etiquette and precedence
Unusual RAT hap l1y
the secret service for the protection of the
Japanese and the Russian peace ENJOYS
during their stay in this country. A num-
ber of trained secret service men have been
detailed to accompany the two delegations
to Portsmouth, and they will be with the
ENJOYS and their suites during the entire
conference. They will be quartered at the
hotels with the ENJOYS and will accompany
them on their trips back and forth to
Portsmouth.
The greatest precaution Is being arranged
to prevent newspaper men and others from
approaching the plenipOtentiaries while
they are at Portsmouth. Secret service
men and marines will guard the Ports
mouth navy yard and the hotels where the
ENJOYS are quartered, and only official
statements will be given to the press dur
ing the conference.
Arrangements at Portsmouth.
Arrangements for the reception of the en-
voys at Portsmouth have been practically
completed by Assistant Secretary Pe.rce
and Gov. McLane.
The two ships bearing the envoys are
expected to arrive in the harbor at 10
o'clock next Monday, after an unusually
slow run from Oyster Bay.
AS soon as the Mayfower. with the Rus
sian representatives on board and the
Dolphin, bearing those from Japan, have
anchored off the navy yard, Rear Admiral
w. w. Meade will visit both vessels 60
ing first to the Mayflower and then to the
Dolphin. Upon his return to the navy
yard the envoys will land from their re-
spective vessels. and as they go over the
side the Mayfiower and Dolphin will each
fire a salute of nineteen guns. The salute
will be repeated upon their arrival at the
navy yard, which will be at about IL
O'Clock. After they have returned the call
Of Admiral Meade breakfast will be served
at the general stores building.
At 2 o'clock in the afternoon carriages
will be taken to Portsmouth. the ENJOYS
being driven through Kittery and over the
long bridge over the Piscataqua river at the
head Of the harbor. The formal welcome
to the state of New Hampshire will be
extended by Gov. McLane at the Rocking
ham county court house on State street
The governor will be attended by his staff
and council, Senators Gallinger and Burn
ham and Representatives SuloWay and
Currier The ENJOYS will then be taken in