Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-09

We're not remiss in responding to the
hurrahs of the crowds. Three carriages
we're occupied by each mission. and in
the procession through the streets Of
Portsmouth, the Russians and the Jap
anese were given alternate positions.
The first, third and fifth carriages wer"
Russians and the second, fourth and
sixth were japanese.
The public was vigorously excluded
from the navy yard where the ENJOYS
landed The landing was effected most
cxpeditiously. and everything moved
without the slightest Interruption.
The Russian suite WIS proceeding 20
the breakfast room from the landing
when the salute from tn" battery an
nounced the landing of the japanese.
| The smoke from The tWu 6-pOunders
rolled over the Russians and the de-
| donation Of the 10 guns was fully felt
by them.
The reception of Governor McLane
in the court house WAS junction which
| WAS soon over. The governor voiced
| the sentiment of welcom" of the state
| briefly. and profound bows We're the re-
Spouse. No one except tho governors
staff and council, Senators Burnham
and Gallingor, Representatives. Sullo-
| way and Currier AMI Assistant Secre-
tary PIERCE were present at this func-
| ton.
When the Hotel Wentworth was
reached. shortly after o'clock, there
was another outburst of applause car
ricd on in good natured rivalry. The
Russian suite ignored the elevator and
climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The japanese, who arrived a moment
later. We're lifted to their floor. AL
| though private dining rooms had been
provided for the plenipotentiaries, both
| suites took dinner at the same time in
| the main dining room of the hotel. The
| japanese were early to dinner. and
| Wcr" assigned a table in the center of
the long room. They had only half
| concluded their dinner when the Rus
san cEvoyS entered and were escorted
| to the extreme end OF the room direct
| ly past the Japanese table. No sign of
| recognition. however, was made by
either. Concluding dinner. Baron Ko-
| mura and Minister Takahira strolled
! toGethc or the wide vcranda Of the ho-
| tel down past the dining room windows
| that WAS underwriting to catch a
glimpse of the distinguished diners
within. They soon returned and en-
| tered the hotel.
When the Russians concluded dinner
| they. too showed signs of sociability
Tney first strollcd into the billiard
| room Of the hotel, where they remained
| tor some time. and then sauntered lcis-
! urcly on an inspection tour of their
| surroundings.
One of the interesting preliminary
questions to be settled by the confer
| tnCe. is the language in which the ne
| gotiationS shall be conducted. NJ. White
| speaks only French and Russian while
| Baron Rosen has also Il command of
| English. Both of the Japanese are pro-
| ticient in the English tongue but Ba-
| ron komura speaks very little French
| 1t is realized that il English shall be
| chosen as the medium of cOmmunica-
| ton. translations will need to me made
| to NJ. Wittc should French be the
language decided upon, the translation
| snail have to be made, preferably into
| English for the Japanese.
While there are no official statements
4 VI III Cuo tioli the OultOllle OIL
| the Forthcoming negotiations, tonight
the prevalence of a general good feel
| ing IS noticeable throughout the en-
Virons of the peace commission.
AS the guests of Rear Admiral Mead
| the plenipotentiaries and their suites
were introduced to about GO invited
guests which included prominent men,
bers Of Portsmouth society. the Assist
| ant Secretary of State and Mrs. PIERCE.
William Dean Howells. and the officers
on duty at the yard with their families.
| Informality again characterized the
whole affair. The Russian mission en-
tered the navy general store about five
minutes before the japanese. The Rus
slams turned to the right of the hall
afr paying their respects to the COM
] mandant and Mrs. Mead and the Jap.