Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-08-12

Languages to be Used Officially.
ewcastle.-Those who were steep
ed in pessimism over the outcome of
the peace conference are somewhat
disappointed. There have been fire.
quent predictions made of a breakup
Of the conference even before the en-
yoys faced each other across the
table.
1t has been stated that questions
of procedure would be insuperable,
and that even if an agreement were
reached on the language to be used
it would only be after many hours
Of wrangling. But all these Cassan-
dra-like prophecies have been dissi-
pated like the mist before the morn.
ing's sun.
The envoys met for the first time
formally Wednesday morning. They
were in session a couple of hours.
In that time they did business and
there was not the slightest evidence
of friction or temper
There has been no official statement
made Of what happened in that con.
ference room, but unofficially it Is ad-
mitted that there was little stiffness
or punctilious regard for diplomatic
etiquette. The proceedings were char
acterized almost by informality.
The only persons present at the
meeting were the four ENJOYS and Mr..
Nabukoff, secretary for Russia, and
Mr.. Sato, secretary for the Japanese.
The six men in two automobiles left
the hotel Wentworth between $50 and
10, the Russians taking the lead, and
the Japanese following a quarter Of
an hour later.
The Russians were sitting at the
table in the conference room waiting
the arrival of the Japanese envoys.
When they entered the Russians arose
and bowed, the Japanese responded
with that stiff breaking of the body
at the hips which is the Japanese
manner of formal salutation, and took
seats at the table opposite their dip
lomatic antagonists. Then there was
a brief pause, pause which threat
ened to become awkward, until M
Witte broke the ice.
The first word in the peace con-
ference of Portsmouth had been spok
en- by the principal envoy of Russia.
In this conference there is no pre-
siding officer, no precedence as be-
tween its members, no limit Of de-
bate. The four ENJOYS stand on an
equal footing. They do not address
the chair, because there is no chair
man whom they can address.
Each envoy talks just as he would II
he were at a social gathering and
speaking across the table to the other
guests The ENJOYS do not address
their remarks directly to the other
side or mention anybody by name.
They talk in the air, so to speak.
When an envoy has finished the dis
cussion may be continued by his col
league or pass to the other side. The
four envoys so far as this conference
is concerned are of equal rank and
stand on precisely the same footing
and as in the senate Of the United
States there is no way to cut off de-
bate.
Every member of the conference
may talk as long as it pleases him,
and even If it wearies his audience
they must listen, with as much pa
tience as they possess.
Both parties to the conference are
attended by their legal advisers, VINO
will rarely, If ever, enter the confer
ence room, but will advise their prin'
cipals out of court as a lawyer does
his client.
The question of language was quick
ly decided.
AS Count Witte does not speak
English and Minister Takahira does
not speak French it was manifestly
impossible to make use Of common
European language, and OF course
both Japanese and Russian are out OF
the question.
What had the promise Of blocking
the conference at the outset was easi
ly removed from the danger zone: Al
ter brief and informal discussion
1t was decided that the envoys NIGH
use indlscriminately the European
language with which they were mos
familiar.
That means that Count Witte will
address all his remarks in French ant
Mr.. Takahira will use English, as viii
his chief, Baron Komura. AS Barol
Rosen speaks English fluently, he will
use almost as much English as Frencl
so as to save time.