Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-09
OLD SEAPORT is tLABORATELY DRESSED
Streets Draped with Flags and Bunting Of
Three Nations
GOVERNOR M'LANE
Both Parties Entertained at Breakfast b
Rear Admiral Mead.
NEGOTIATIONS WILL BEGIN TODAY
Each side VIII Examine Credentials
of the other and First Formal
Exchange VIII Follow
Thursday.

POPTsMOUTH, N. H., Aug. SIT is
thought that at tomorrows meeting Of |
the peace ENJOYS here It may be possible |
to exchange the fundamental basis on |
which the representatives of the two bel |
llgerent powers may be able 10 come to an |
understanding 1t is only after accord |
on those fundamental bases that armis- |
tice will be considered advantageous by |
both parties. on one point the Russian |
delegates arc instructed not to yield-that |
regarding a war Indemnity which, 1t was
stated. Is against the Russian feeling |
against Russian pride and against the
whole history of the country.
The Russian and Japanese peace missions
have submitted to Introduction and like
wise to all OF the ceremonies Of welcome
and reception on the part of the United
States government and the state of New
Hampshire and are tonight on the eve
of facing each other for the purpose of |
ending the in the far east and If
possible concentrating a permanent peace
between the two great nations.
Tomorrow they will meet in the naval
stores building of the Portsmouth navy
yard. The Russian plenipotentiares will
examine the credentials and powers which
the emperor of Japan have delegated to
Baron Komura and Minister Takahira,
and in turn the japanese plenipotentiaries
will scrutinize the powers which the Rus
sian has conferred upon NJ. Witte and
Baron Rosen
The second days session, to take place
Thursday Friday 1t is expected, will
be devoted either to a consideration of the
Japanese peace terms, to proposition
for an armlstice by the Russian plenipoten-
tiaries. 1t has been estimated that If a
ha aie Of fnr is he
actual negotiations will consume something
like Ave weeks time before a treaty can
be perfected and signed
Function RepIete with Ceremony.
The landing and reception of the ENJOYS
today was function replete with cere-
mony. The dignity of the nations salutes
was contrasted with the hearty exclama-
tions OF good will on the part of thousands
10 of persons who thronged the streets of
Poftsfnbnlp III and s u yfounded the court house
where Governor McLane pronounced his
cordial words of welcome.
The ENJOYS oi both Japan and Russia
were much affected by the demonstration
of the American public. M. Witte rode
through the business section of the town
with his tall silk hat raised above his head
in constant Acknowledgement OF salutes.
Ambassador Rosen, in the same carriage,
was also uncovered in honor of the cheer
ing crowds. In the carriage following were
the two Japanese ENJOYS and they too were
not remiss in responding to the hurrahs
OF the crowds, Three carriages were occu-
pied by each mission and in the process
sion through the streets of Portsmouth, the
Russians and Japanese were given alter
nate positions the first. third and NTH
carriages were Russian and the second
fourth ana sixth japanese.
The public was vigorously excluded from
the navy yard, where the ENJOYS came
ashore. The landing was effected most eoI-
peditiously and everything moved without
tne slightest interruption. The Russian
suite was proceeding to the breakfast room
from the landing' when the salute from
the battery announced the landing of the
Japanese.
The envoys were met at the court house
by Third Assistant Secretary of State
Peirce, who first presented NJ Witte to
Governor McLane and then Baron Komura.
The senior Russian commissioner pre-
sented his suite TO the chief executive of
New Hampshire and the Japanese plenipo-
tentiary did likewise. Governor McIanes
formal speech of welcome was responded
TO by profound bow of both parties. AT
the conclusion of the ceremonies the Rus
SLAMS were arranged on the right of the
governor, the Japanese on the left with
group was then surrounded by the gov
ernor's stan and council and the entire
party was photographed. No one except
the governors stan and council. United
States Senators Burnham and Gallinger
Representatives Sulloway and Currier and
Assistant Secretary Peirce were present al
the court house function, although crowds
surrounded the building
EnvOys at Dinner.
When the Hotel Wentworth was reached
shortly after o'clock. there was an out.
burst OF applause carried on In good.
natured rivalry. The Russian suite ignored
the elevator and climbed the stairs tc
the second floor. The japanese who ar,
rived a moment later. were lifted TO then
fioor. Although private dining rooms had
been provided for the plenipotentlaries
both suites took dinner at the same tim,
in the main dining room Of the hotel Tn,
Japanese we're early 10 dinner and wer,
assigned table IN the center Of the Ions
room. They had only half concluded thei
dinner when the Russian ENJOYS entered
and were escorted to the extreme end O.
the room directly past the Japanese table
No sign OF recognition, however was mad,
by either. Concluding dinner BaroI
Komura and Minister Takahra strolled oI
the wide veranda 81 the hotel down pas
the dining room windows and mingled Will
the curious crowd that was endeavorinl
TO catch glimpse OF the distinguishe,
diners within. They soon returned and en-
tered the hotel.
When the Russians concluded dinner
n they, too, showed signs OF sociability. The,
first stroled into the billiard room o
the hotel, where they remained for som
time and then sauntered leisurely on al
Inspection tour OF their surroundings.
One OF the interesting preliminary Ques
lions TO be settled by the conference 1
The language in which the negotiation
shall be conducted. NJ. Witte speaks onl
French and Russian while Baron Rose
has also command OF English. Both o
the Japanese are proficient in the Englis
u tongue but Baron Komura speaks YER
- little French II is realized that II Englis
shall be chosen as the medium OF eommuni