crisis & citizen diplomacy
August 22, Tuesday – Witte Ignores Tsar, Journalist Photos
The formal session was postponed one day because minutes of the prior session were delayed. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Witte received a telegram from the Tsar rejecting Komura's compromise plan and ordering the break of negotiations if the Japanese continued the money and land demands. As a result of Roosevelt's back channel initiative, Witte pocketed the telegram, in effect ignoring the Tsar's orders to break off the negotiations on the grounds that he had to await the result of the Tsar's meeting with Roosevelt's envoy Meyers. With both the Russians and the Japanese sending and receiving messages to their home governments, Tuesday's meeting was postponed until Wednesday, August 23, when it was believed that the final demands and positions should be received.
Left: The Russians pose on the Wentworth porch with members of the press. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
Left: The Russians pose on the Wentworth porch with members of the press. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
August 23, Wednesday: Witte Delays Negotiations; Social Events at Niles Cottage and the Wentworth
At a private meeting held before the formal session, Komura again discussed his compromise plan offering to sell back to Russia the northern half of Sakhalin for 1.2 billion yen and dropping the war expenses language. Without replying formally to the offer, Witte asked if Komura's proposal could be implied to mean that if Russia gave up the entire island, would the Japanese be willing to drop the request for money? Komura replied in the negative and Witte had cleverly placed the Japanese in a position risking the continuation of the war over a payment of money. Witte again said Russia would not pay any indemnity and Komura stated that Japan would not accept a treaty without an indemnity even if Sakhalin were ceded in entirety. Clearly the entire peace process was in jeopardy, but Witte suggested postponing the next formal meeting until Saturday, August 26, "because an unexpected new situation has arisen in the meantime." The new situation was Meyer's call on the Tsar.
The delegates then agreed in formal session to delay the next meeting until August 26th. Both Witte and Komura knew of the Meyers' meeting with the Czar and, by the delay, were hoping to save the conference through some compromise. At Roosevelt's request, Ambassador Meyer again visited the Tsar, who finally agreed to cede the southern half of Sakhalin to the Japanese but rejected any payment for the northern half.
During the afternoon, members of both delegations attended a lawn party at Christ Church, and that evening, while Witte was at a piano recital at the Wentworth, the Japanese, including both Komura and Takahira, were dining at the Niles' cottage at a state dinner arranged by Secretary Peirce and Mrs. Peirce with Governor McLane, William Dean Howells, and other local guests. The Tenth Artillery Corps Band again played at the occasion.
Image above:
Rare stereopticon card of Witte, right, and Rosen on the Wentworth porch. Courtesy Kristi Donahue.
The delegates then agreed in formal session to delay the next meeting until August 26th. Both Witte and Komura knew of the Meyers' meeting with the Czar and, by the delay, were hoping to save the conference through some compromise. At Roosevelt's request, Ambassador Meyer again visited the Tsar, who finally agreed to cede the southern half of Sakhalin to the Japanese but rejected any payment for the northern half.
During the afternoon, members of both delegations attended a lawn party at Christ Church, and that evening, while Witte was at a piano recital at the Wentworth, the Japanese, including both Komura and Takahira, were dining at the Niles' cottage at a state dinner arranged by Secretary Peirce and Mrs. Peirce with Governor McLane, William Dean Howells, and other local guests. The Tenth Artillery Corps Band again played at the occasion.
Image above:
Rare stereopticon card of Witte, right, and Rosen on the Wentworth porch. Courtesy Kristi Donahue.
August 24, Thursday: Tsar's Decision; York Harbor Social Event
Witte received a telegram stating that the Tsar finally agreed to the partition of Sakhalin, but rejected any indemnity and said there were to be no more concessions.
York and York Beach continued to be popular destinations for both delegations. On this day, Witte and the Russians and Komura and the Japanese journeyed to the York Harbor home of Mrs. Newton Perkins at Sewall's Bridge to attend a Japanese fete. The grounds were decorated with American and Japanese flags, a dragon and small parasols, and a temple complete with a statue of Buddha. More than 700 guests were treated to a judo demonstration. Later Komura donated $1,000 to the Old York Historical Society and the York Hospital. Witte donated $100 to the hospital and the York Historical Society. Image: The garden at the Perkins home was decorated for the “Japanese fete.” Old York Historical Society
Later that evening, Komura dined at the Wentworth with Denison and other Japanese delegates and former New Hampshire Senator Chandler and his son. Denison, who had grown up in Lancaster, New Hampshire, had known the Chandlers when he worked in Washington, D.C.
York and York Beach continued to be popular destinations for both delegations. On this day, Witte and the Russians and Komura and the Japanese journeyed to the York Harbor home of Mrs. Newton Perkins at Sewall's Bridge to attend a Japanese fete. The grounds were decorated with American and Japanese flags, a dragon and small parasols, and a temple complete with a statue of Buddha. More than 700 guests were treated to a judo demonstration. Later Komura donated $1,000 to the Old York Historical Society and the York Hospital. Witte donated $100 to the hospital and the York Historical Society. Image: The garden at the Perkins home was decorated for the “Japanese fete.” Old York Historical Society
Later that evening, Komura dined at the Wentworth with Denison and other Japanese delegates and former New Hampshire Senator Chandler and his son. Denison, who had grown up in Lancaster, New Hampshire, had known the Chandlers when he worked in Washington, D.C.
August 25, Friday: Back Channel - Roosevelt meets Kaneko; Amoskeag Mills Visit
Roosevelt aware of Tsar's rejection of any indemnity, met again with Kaneko and strongly advised the Japanese to reconsider their indemnity demand; but Roosevelt neglected to mention the Tsar's willingness to give up one-half of Sakhalin. Roosevelt apparently thought the Japanese would only consider one-half of the island if the Russians paid for it. The next day the Japanese government indicated to Roosevelt it would consider his recommendation to reduce the amount of the 1.2 billion yen indemnity.
Both the Japanese and Russian delegates were invited by Governor McLane to visit Manchester, New Hampshire, to view the Amoskeag Mills (left), the largest textile complex in the world. The Russians declined the offer, but Komura and many Japanese delegates accompanied the governor on the tour and dined at Derryfield Club with many New Hampshire politicians and local notables.
Both the Japanese and Russian delegates were invited by Governor McLane to visit Manchester, New Hampshire, to view the Amoskeag Mills (left), the largest textile complex in the world. The Russians declined the offer, but Komura and many Japanese delegates accompanied the governor on the tour and dined at Derryfield Club with many New Hampshire politicians and local notables.
August 26, Saturday: Impasse; Japanese Delay
The Japanese pose on the Wentworth porch with members of the press. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection
Witte and Komura met again on Saturday, first in private, and Komura asked if the Russians had a reply to his offer. Witte said the compromise was rejected. When Komura asked Witte if he had any proposal, Witte said no payment of any kind would be considered and he had come to the meeting to end negotiations. Witte may have also said that the Tsar would give up one-half of Sakhalin but in that private conference Komura apparently did not understand that offer and did not report it to Toyko. Komura wanted to delay the conference further to give more time for a compromise; he said he still did not have final instructions from Japan and wanted a formal reply from the Russian government on the compromise plan. The delegates then went into formal session and delayed the next meeting until Monday, the 28th. Komura wired Tokyo saying that if the Russians failed to meet the final demand on the 28th, he wanted to return to New York.
While messages shuttled between Portsmouth and the two countries, and between Roosevelt and his diplomats in Russia and Kaneko for Japan, apprehension was growing that the negotiations would end without agreement.
The official international press corps was banned from formal negotiations. The delegates released little information in their official formal reports to the press other than what terms were settled and the time of the next meeting. The press got what information they could by mingling with the delegates at the hotel and social excursions, such as the Mayflower trip. By now the delays in the conference and intense telegraph activity indicated that the conference was at an impasse. In the next two days the press learned by the activities of the Russians that their positions were hardening and from the Japanese that they were upset by their government's instructions, which meant a change in the Japanese position. Both delegations obtained valuable information from the press and neither delegation wanted to be held responsible for a breakdown in the negotiations.
Witte received another telegram from the Russian Foreign Ministry stating that there were to be no more concessions and, although it was important to spare the amour propre of Roosevelt, it was more important "to stand on guard for the welfare and honor of Russia."
Headlines in the Portsmouth Herald, below, tracked each day's developments.
While messages shuttled between Portsmouth and the two countries, and between Roosevelt and his diplomats in Russia and Kaneko for Japan, apprehension was growing that the negotiations would end without agreement.
The official international press corps was banned from formal negotiations. The delegates released little information in their official formal reports to the press other than what terms were settled and the time of the next meeting. The press got what information they could by mingling with the delegates at the hotel and social excursions, such as the Mayflower trip. By now the delays in the conference and intense telegraph activity indicated that the conference was at an impasse. In the next two days the press learned by the activities of the Russians that their positions were hardening and from the Japanese that they were upset by their government's instructions, which meant a change in the Japanese position. Both delegations obtained valuable information from the press and neither delegation wanted to be held responsible for a breakdown in the negotiations.
Witte received another telegram from the Russian Foreign Ministry stating that there were to be no more concessions and, although it was important to spare the amour propre of Roosevelt, it was more important "to stand on guard for the welfare and honor of Russia."
Headlines in the Portsmouth Herald, below, tracked each day's developments.
August 27, Sunday: Special Postponement / Carey Creek Reception
The Music Room at Carey Creek Farm.
Meanwhile the Japanese government started a marathon series of meetings with the cabinet, elder statesmen, and military leaders to consider the negotiations. They asked Komura to postpone the conference until Tuesday. Takahira then met with Witte informally at the Wentworth where Witte again said there would be no further compromises but agreed to delay the final conference until Tuesday. Komura meanwhile telegraphed his opinion to the Cabinet that Japan should also make no further compromise.
On Sunday some of the Russians attended services at St. John's Church while Witte again went to York Beach. In the evening both delegations, along with many local social hosts, attended an elaborate party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Carey at the Carey Creek Farm in their famous gardens. The evening concluded with musical performances in the Creek Farm music room (restored, at left). Among Herbert Peirce's Harvard acquaintances was a Cambridge arts and crafts enthusiast and social reformer, Arthur Astor Carey. He and several other 1879 Harvard classmates and their families formed an artistic summer colony at Little Harbor after Carey inherited 1.5 million dollars from his parents and married Agnes Laura Whiteside. The Carey's architecturally significant shingle style summer cottage (1887-89) known as "Creek Farm" was designed by another Harvard graduate, Wadsworth Longfellow, successor to H. H. Richardson. Between 1890 and 1905 the house was enlarged—also to designs of architect Longfellow—to accommodate a growing family of four children (plus servants). Two new wings form an open U plan, with the ground floor of the larger eastern wing a heavily paneled baronial "Music Hall" where Astor and his musical guests might perform; beyond a smaller one-room addition on the west was laid out as a formal Italian garden.
Agnes Carey assisted Helen Peirce by serving tea at the first of her large social events at Niles Cottage in Newcastle and soon was inviting members of both the Russian and Japanese delegations to dinners and garden parties at Creek Farm. The Russian dinner party is known from a reminiscence of their young daughter Alida Carey (later Mrs. Gulich), and that on August 27, 1905 for members of Japanese delegation from the diary of one of those attending. Young Alida Carey, remembered the event much later as a "rather disastrous garden party for them both together," perhaps at the depths of the negotiations. The garden was decorated with a large Russian flag and a large paper Japanese carp hung so that they could be seen from the Wentworth across Little Harbor, but each delegation arrived by boat separately and in sequence, rather than enjoying their hospitality together. As a reward for assisting the United States in entertaining the important foreign visitors, the Carey family and other participating neighbors were all guests for a harbor cruise Roosevelt arranged on the presidential yacht, Mayflower.
On Sunday some of the Russians attended services at St. John's Church while Witte again went to York Beach. In the evening both delegations, along with many local social hosts, attended an elaborate party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Carey at the Carey Creek Farm in their famous gardens. The evening concluded with musical performances in the Creek Farm music room (restored, at left). Among Herbert Peirce's Harvard acquaintances was a Cambridge arts and crafts enthusiast and social reformer, Arthur Astor Carey. He and several other 1879 Harvard classmates and their families formed an artistic summer colony at Little Harbor after Carey inherited 1.5 million dollars from his parents and married Agnes Laura Whiteside. The Carey's architecturally significant shingle style summer cottage (1887-89) known as "Creek Farm" was designed by another Harvard graduate, Wadsworth Longfellow, successor to H. H. Richardson. Between 1890 and 1905 the house was enlarged—also to designs of architect Longfellow—to accommodate a growing family of four children (plus servants). Two new wings form an open U plan, with the ground floor of the larger eastern wing a heavily paneled baronial "Music Hall" where Astor and his musical guests might perform; beyond a smaller one-room addition on the west was laid out as a formal Italian garden.
Agnes Carey assisted Helen Peirce by serving tea at the first of her large social events at Niles Cottage in Newcastle and soon was inviting members of both the Russian and Japanese delegations to dinners and garden parties at Creek Farm. The Russian dinner party is known from a reminiscence of their young daughter Alida Carey (later Mrs. Gulich), and that on August 27, 1905 for members of Japanese delegation from the diary of one of those attending. Young Alida Carey, remembered the event much later as a "rather disastrous garden party for them both together," perhaps at the depths of the negotiations. The garden was decorated with a large Russian flag and a large paper Japanese carp hung so that they could be seen from the Wentworth across Little Harbor, but each delegation arrived by boat separately and in sequence, rather than enjoying their hospitality together. As a reward for assisting the United States in entertaining the important foreign visitors, the Carey family and other participating neighbors were all guests for a harbor cruise Roosevelt arranged on the presidential yacht, Mayflower.
August 28, Monday: Witte Ordered Home, Russia and Japan Change Position
Music Hall Performance
Russian Position
Late Monday evening Witte received a cable telling him the Tsar had changed his mind. Nicholas wanted to continue the war and end the negotiations, rejecting the peace terms he had earlier agreed to with Meyer. Witte replied that if he terminated the negotiations without allowing the Japanese a final session, Russia would be blamed by the world for continuing the war, and so he would attend the last session but make no further concessions and prevent the Japanese from blaming the Russians for the failure of the conference.
Japanese Position
After two days of meetings and pressure from the military and elder statesmen, the Japanese government cabled Komura telling the diplomat to accept (against his own wishes) Russia's peace terms. At first, the government made the decision without knowing the Tsar would give up one-half of Sakhalin, but when informed by the British of the Tsar's willingness, they changed the order to hold out for one-half of Sakhalin. Japanese statesmen and members of the government who were in favor of peace argued that, since Russia's agreement with most of Japan's negotiation terms, and because Japan had achieved its war aims in Manchuria and Korea, and given Japan's overextended financial condition, it was necessary to make peace rather than continue to fight over Sakhalin and reparations. Some of the Japanese delegation were profoundly shaken by these orders, but Komura bolstered their spirits by displaying composure and courage. When many of the Japanese could not go to a dinner at the Wentworth dining room, Komura and Denison went together and appeared cheerful as if nothing had happened, but many in the press corps picked up on other Japanese delegates' feelings and, through the press, Witte learned that there may be hope of a change in Japan’s position. That evening, some of the Russian delegates attended a minstrel show at the Music Hall as guests of Portsmouth Postmaster J. H. Bartlett and other local citizens.
Images, below, left to right:
The world was watching as Russia and Japan played diplomatic chess. Harper's Weekly.
"Diplomatic secrets." Harper's Weekly.
Portsmouth Herald headline: End Now in Sight: Peace Conference Will Not Last Much Longer.
Late Monday evening Witte received a cable telling him the Tsar had changed his mind. Nicholas wanted to continue the war and end the negotiations, rejecting the peace terms he had earlier agreed to with Meyer. Witte replied that if he terminated the negotiations without allowing the Japanese a final session, Russia would be blamed by the world for continuing the war, and so he would attend the last session but make no further concessions and prevent the Japanese from blaming the Russians for the failure of the conference.
Japanese Position
After two days of meetings and pressure from the military and elder statesmen, the Japanese government cabled Komura telling the diplomat to accept (against his own wishes) Russia's peace terms. At first, the government made the decision without knowing the Tsar would give up one-half of Sakhalin, but when informed by the British of the Tsar's willingness, they changed the order to hold out for one-half of Sakhalin. Japanese statesmen and members of the government who were in favor of peace argued that, since Russia's agreement with most of Japan's negotiation terms, and because Japan had achieved its war aims in Manchuria and Korea, and given Japan's overextended financial condition, it was necessary to make peace rather than continue to fight over Sakhalin and reparations. Some of the Japanese delegation were profoundly shaken by these orders, but Komura bolstered their spirits by displaying composure and courage. When many of the Japanese could not go to a dinner at the Wentworth dining room, Komura and Denison went together and appeared cheerful as if nothing had happened, but many in the press corps picked up on other Japanese delegates' feelings and, through the press, Witte learned that there may be hope of a change in Japan’s position. That evening, some of the Russian delegates attended a minstrel show at the Music Hall as guests of Portsmouth Postmaster J. H. Bartlett and other local citizens.
Images, below, left to right:
The world was watching as Russia and Japan played diplomatic chess. Harper's Weekly.
"Diplomatic secrets." Harper's Weekly.
Portsmouth Herald headline: End Now in Sight: Peace Conference Will Not Last Much Longer.
