The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-11

come a custom, thronged the verandas even before there was possibility that the foreigners would appear. It was a few minutes past when the Japanese plenipotentiaries the first of the peace mission to appear, came out of the hotel and at 9:10 in automobiles took their departure for the navy yard. The Russian plenipotentiaries, M. Witte and Baron Rosen, accompanied by M. Eabockoff, also left in a motor car. They were preceded by a mall coach In which were Prince Kudachen, NJ. Korostevetz and M DePlancon. -.-.. Japs Had start.
 The Japanese plenipotentiaries had about ten minutes start of the Rus slans from the hotel. Baron Komura, MT. Takahira and Mir. Sato sat three in a seat. MT. Denison was beside the chauffeur. The secretaries went ahead. one of them carrying suite case, which Is supposed to have contained the credentials of his chief, as he re- fused to let the bag leave his hands.
 Neither Baron Komura nor MT. Talk ahira seemed to notice the crowds sur rounding the hotel entrance. Both were puffing intently on their cigar cites and looked straight ahead, a pose which was advantageous to a man with a moving picture machine, who wound 1t in their faces as they pass ed. .s-:~. :--... l.. -....
 As M witte and Baron Rosen pass ed the hotel veranda they doffed their hats several times to the crowd and laughed good naturedly at the photog- raphers
 At 9:15 M. Witte sent M Korostevtz to ask MT. Peirce whether it was not possible to have . motor car for the conveyance of his secretaries to the navy yard, as otherwise he was afraid the Japanese would have to wait. MT. Peirce answered that he was very sorry that he had not at his disposal either a motor car or a steam launch, while the coach had been ready since half past o'clock this morning. Af- ter reporting this to M. Witte. the secretaries hurried off, Prince Kuda- chefr having been added to their num- Der, as M. Witte desired to have him for some special work. M. Witte ex- pressed the hope the Japanese would not object to this.
 The trip to the navy yard took up about fifty minutes. Tho passing of the party through the city attracted no unusual attention.
 Immediately after the plenipotentia- ries and their secretaries gathered in the conference room and exchanged complimentary words. partly in Japa- nese, M Witte produced a diplomatic note addressed to the Japanese pleni- potentiaries in connection with their failure to present their credentials at yesterdays meeting. What the con tents of this note are. cannot yet be learned, but there is a basis for the be- lief that M. Witte in this note took occasion to give expression to the sur prise which he undoubtedly felt that
 the Japanese plenipotentiaries. after having fro mthe outset of the prelim- mary negotiations laid so much stress on the necessity of examining creden- l tials before the first step was taken should, at the first meeting, have failed to bring with them full official letters. Precedents Quoted
 It was the understanding of the Rus sian envoys that Baron Komura would decline to even open negotiations of the most informal character unless he had satisfied himself of the validity of the full powers of M. Witte. Historical precedents are quoted in the note to show the irregularity of yesterdays proceedings. The purpose of the Rus sian note was to make the permanent record complete and make 1t show clearly the attitude of the plenipoten- tiaries from the beginning of the con- ference.
 Neither the Japanese nor Russian plenipotentiaries wore the uniforms of their official ranks and probably on &C., count of the heat 1t will be de-