The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-10

meetings q statement will be given to the press, after being agreed upon by both sides The records of the pro- ceedings and all of the documents will be compiled both in English and in French. The French text will be &C., cepted Tn evidence in case of dispute. The delegates attached to the plenipo- tentiaries. who did not assist at this mornings meeting and will not assist tomorrow. will in the future be asked to take part in the conference only when the two parties shall judge 1t necessary to have their opinions on some subjects before the meeting"
 Baron Komura, in accordance with today's agreement has chosen Mir. Sato. Dr. Adachi and Mir. Otchiaf to participate daily in the conference as the official secretaries of himself and MT. Takahira.
 A Delightful Day.
 The day which was to bring the initial meeting of the Russian and Japanese peace plenipotentiaries at the navy yard here opened with delightful weather conditions.
 The members of both the Russian and Japanese missions were early about the hotel. and with the exception of M witte and Baron Rosen breakfasted In the main dining room. As several of the Russians were coming out of the dining room this morning they met two of the Japanese entering They ex- changed profound bows, but did not shake hands.
 It was expected at that time that the start would be made for the navy yard. where by agreement reached yesterday the first sitting of the commissioners would be made at about 9:So. There were many people waiting on the veranda of the hotel to witness the departure of the envoys.
 With the approach of the hour of the meeting the feeling became more pro- nounced than before that an armistice would not be agreed upon until the suc cess of the negotiations was assured The known opposition Of Japan to this formality and the hearty support which London Is understood to have given Tokio. it is believed. has operated to minimize the wish of the Russians for a signed trucA Another cause for their unwillingness to press an armis- tice at the first meeting Is believed to be the recent opposition said to have manifested itself among the peace negotiations. It Is felt that to ask them to sign a truce might have bad effect upon their spirits and serve to increase their opposition to the ending of the war.
 Baron Komura and Minister Taka- hira and Secretary Adato left the Hotel Wentworth by automobile for the navy yard at 9:55 o'clock. They were greet ed on the veranda by Acting Secretary Pierce and Governor McLane.
 M witte and Baron Rosen started shortly after In another automobile, leaving by a secondary entrance which leads to their apartments.
 ~t@ Aa1f tn the six miles from the hotel to the navy yard, and 1t was 10:3e o'clock when the envoys arrived at the naval stores building. where their sitting was to take place. The foreigners att tracted no particular attention as they passed through the city today. At the navy yard the careful arrangements made by Rear Admiral Meade. the commandant. for excluding all persons not connected with the proceedings operated perfectly, every outsider be- ing stopped at the entrance of the yard
 Exchange of Cards.
 After the pleniopentiaries left the hotel for the navy yard this morn- ing. Mir. Honda, private secretary to Baron Komura, went to the apart ments of the Russian mission, where he was received by M. Shipoff, M. De- Plancon. NJ Batcheff and NJ. Berten. MT. Honda said the ooJect of his visit was to discuss the best program for the exchange of cards by the members of the two missions. The short con- versation which followed was very cor dial and 1t was decided that the cards should either be left ar the office or that a secretary from each side should convey them direct to the respective apartments and there be formally re- ceived.
 It Is noticeable that with each day the members of the two missions are fraternazing more easily and 1t is no longer a subject for comment when Russian and a Japanese are seen talk ing together.
 Baron Komura and NJ. Witte reitera- ted to Third Assistant Secretary Peirce shortly before leaving for the yard today a request that everyone be ex cluded from the yard throughout the time the envoys are meeting. Even the members of each mission to gain entrance will be required to show passes signed by their chief and coun- tersigned by the commandant of the yard.
 Before leaving his hotel this morn ing, one of the members of the Rus sion mission In conversation with a correspondent of the Associated Press. said
 T wish you would reiterate on be- half of ourselves how grateful we are for the courtesies extended to us aboard the Mayflower by Captain Winslow and his officers. Our every want was supplied. In fact anticipated. and the trip on the Mayflower was en- toyed even by those who were not good sailors
 The Japanese also nave been profuse in their expressions of gratitude for the hospitality rendered them aboard the Dolphin by Captain Gibbons
 Shortly after noon the envoys came out of the naval stores building, in- dicating that today's meeting had end- cd. Baron Komura and MT. Takahira appeared first and passed directly down the gravel path to the navy yard land ing. where launch was in waiting to take them to New Castle, The Russian commissioners followed the Japanese a moment later, taking a second launch for the four-mile trip to their hotels Upon their arrival there they entered by private door way and 1t was some time before the fact of their return became generally known.
 Some Information.
 Within ten minutes after the mis- sion returned the correspondent of the Associated Press, who was received by one of the plenipotentiaries, was given the following information: You can say that this mornings meeting was entirely satisfactory so far as 1t went We exchanged credentials. but please do not write nonsense about creden- tials" Shortly after the plenipoten- tisries entered the navy general stores NH