negotiations
August 9, Wednesday: Negotiations Begin
The two delegations met across a seventeen-foot long table in the General Stores building at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
The parties met in formal session for the first time in the naval stores building at the Navy Yard on Wednesday, August 9. Only the two chief plenipotentiaries for each side attended the meeting, which was held primarily to exchange credentials. They decided to meet daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. with each meeting scheduled to last about three hours. The Japanese insisted that only the chief envoys, their secretaries, and interpreters would attend the sessions and that other delegates would be called only when special points were to be discussed.
It was also agreed that the Russians would use French and the Japanese English for discussions with the final treaty to be written in both languages, however, the French version would be used to settle differences in interpretation. On a more serious question, the Russians wanted open discussions in the belief that the expected harsh Japanese demands would gain sympathy for Russia if publicized. The Japanese again demanded secrecy and won their point. Witte, however, often discussed or leaked aspects of the negotiations to newsmen.
As the negotiations progressed, the parties often issued a joint news release but it rarely provided much information of subsistence. With little other news to report, the local Portsmouth Herald was particularly interested in the public approach taken by the Russians and Japanese. On the evening when the delegations arrived, the Herald commented, “The envoys are evidently imbued with the democratic spirit of America. On Tuesday evening, they mingled with the guests at the Wentworth apparently unconscious of the fact that the eyes of all observers were upon them. The Japanese strolled up and down the verandas and the Russians passed some time in the ladies' billiard parlor."
Of the more than one hundred special journalists on hand for the conference, William Dean Howells, who summered at Kittery Point, was the dean. He described the numerous "summer girls" who were very much in evidence at the hotel. "It is said," he wrote, "that those young ladies leave the peace commissioners with very little peace, and that what with the heat, and what with the mosquitoes of the past week -- But why repeat the idle gossip of which the daily press has already been too full? It is not credible that the summer girls will seriously retard the negotiations at the Kittery [sic] Navy yard and there is no reason why they should not amuse the leisure of the commissioners at the hotel; and if these carry away with them to their distant homes a rather bewildering ideal of American girlhood, it will not be the fault of the American girl, because she is never at fault."
It was also agreed that the Russians would use French and the Japanese English for discussions with the final treaty to be written in both languages, however, the French version would be used to settle differences in interpretation. On a more serious question, the Russians wanted open discussions in the belief that the expected harsh Japanese demands would gain sympathy for Russia if publicized. The Japanese again demanded secrecy and won their point. Witte, however, often discussed or leaked aspects of the negotiations to newsmen.
As the negotiations progressed, the parties often issued a joint news release but it rarely provided much information of subsistence. With little other news to report, the local Portsmouth Herald was particularly interested in the public approach taken by the Russians and Japanese. On the evening when the delegations arrived, the Herald commented, “The envoys are evidently imbued with the democratic spirit of America. On Tuesday evening, they mingled with the guests at the Wentworth apparently unconscious of the fact that the eyes of all observers were upon them. The Japanese strolled up and down the verandas and the Russians passed some time in the ladies' billiard parlor."
Of the more than one hundred special journalists on hand for the conference, William Dean Howells, who summered at Kittery Point, was the dean. He described the numerous "summer girls" who were very much in evidence at the hotel. "It is said," he wrote, "that those young ladies leave the peace commissioners with very little peace, and that what with the heat, and what with the mosquitoes of the past week -- But why repeat the idle gossip of which the daily press has already been too full? It is not credible that the summer girls will seriously retard the negotiations at the Kittery [sic] Navy yard and there is no reason why they should not amuse the leisure of the commissioners at the hotel; and if these carry away with them to their distant homes a rather bewildering ideal of American girlhood, it will not be the fault of the American girl, because she is never at fault."
August 10, 11, 12, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: JAPANESE DEMANDS WITH RUSSIAN RESPONSE
The formal treaty discussions began on Thursday morning when Komura presented Witte with a list of twelve Japanese demands. It had been understood that since Japan was considered the aggrieved party, they would present demands to Russia. Witte received the written demands from Komura and asked for time to make a response. Witte replied to the demands on Saturday. The Japanese demands follow with a summary of the Russians' response.
Japanese Demands with Russian Response
Demand I - Russia acknowledging that Japan possesses in Korea paramount political, military and economic interests, to engage not to obstruct or interfere with any measures of guidance, protection and control which Japan finds it necessary to take in Korea. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand II - Engagement on the part of Russia to completely evacuate Manchuria within a period to be specified and to relinquish all territorial advantages and all preferential and exclusive concessions and franchises in that region in impairment of Chinese sovereignty or inconsistent with the principle of equal opportunity. Russia agrees.
Demand III - Japan to engage to restore to China, subject to the guarantee of reform and improved administration, all those portions of Manchuria which are in her occupation, saving only the regions affected by the lease of the Liaotung Peninsula. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand IV - Japan and Russia reciprocally to engage not to obstruct any general measures common to all countries, which China may take for the development of the commerce and industries in Manchuria. Russia agrees.
Demand V - Sakhalin and all islands appertaining thereto and all public works and properties to be ceded to Japan. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand VI - The lease of Port Arthur, Talien, and adjacent territory and territorial waters together with all rights, privileges, concessions and franchises acquired by Russia from China, in connection with or as a part of such lease and all public works and properties to be transferred and assigned to Japan. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand VII - Russia to assign and transfer to Japan free of all claims and encumbrances, the railway between Harbin and Port Arthur and all its branches together with all rights, privileges and properties appertaining thereto, and all coal mines belonging to or worked for the benefit of the railway. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand VIII - Russia to retain and work the trans-Manchurian railway, subject to the terms and conditions of the concession under which it was constructed, and subject also to the condition that it is to be employed exclusively for commercial and industrial purposes. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand IX - Russia to reimburse to Japan the actual expenses of the war. The amount as well as the time and manner of such reimbursement to be agreed upon. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand X - All Russian ships-of-war, which, in consequence of damage received in battle, sought asylum in neutral ports and were there interned, to be surrendered to Japan as lawful prizes. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand XI - Russia to engage to limit her naval strength in the waters of the Extreme East. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand XII - Russia to grant to Japanese subjects full fishery rights along the coasts and in the bays, harbors, inlets and rivers of her possessions in the Japan, Okhotsk and Bering Seas. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Based on this response, the Russians appeared to agree or to have a basis to negotiate eight of the twelve Japanese terms, but four of the terms were completely refused by Russia. The completely contested terms were:
Japanese Demands with Russian Response
Demand I - Russia acknowledging that Japan possesses in Korea paramount political, military and economic interests, to engage not to obstruct or interfere with any measures of guidance, protection and control which Japan finds it necessary to take in Korea. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand II - Engagement on the part of Russia to completely evacuate Manchuria within a period to be specified and to relinquish all territorial advantages and all preferential and exclusive concessions and franchises in that region in impairment of Chinese sovereignty or inconsistent with the principle of equal opportunity. Russia agrees.
Demand III - Japan to engage to restore to China, subject to the guarantee of reform and improved administration, all those portions of Manchuria which are in her occupation, saving only the regions affected by the lease of the Liaotung Peninsula. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand IV - Japan and Russia reciprocally to engage not to obstruct any general measures common to all countries, which China may take for the development of the commerce and industries in Manchuria. Russia agrees.
Demand V - Sakhalin and all islands appertaining thereto and all public works and properties to be ceded to Japan. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand VI - The lease of Port Arthur, Talien, and adjacent territory and territorial waters together with all rights, privileges, concessions and franchises acquired by Russia from China, in connection with or as a part of such lease and all public works and properties to be transferred and assigned to Japan. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand VII - Russia to assign and transfer to Japan free of all claims and encumbrances, the railway between Harbin and Port Arthur and all its branches together with all rights, privileges and properties appertaining thereto, and all coal mines belonging to or worked for the benefit of the railway. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand VIII - Russia to retain and work the trans-Manchurian railway, subject to the terms and conditions of the concession under which it was constructed, and subject also to the condition that it is to be employed exclusively for commercial and industrial purposes. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Demand IX - Russia to reimburse to Japan the actual expenses of the war. The amount as well as the time and manner of such reimbursement to be agreed upon. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand X - All Russian ships-of-war, which, in consequence of damage received in battle, sought asylum in neutral ports and were there interned, to be surrendered to Japan as lawful prizes. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand XI - Russia to engage to limit her naval strength in the waters of the Extreme East. Russia strongly disagrees.
Demand XII - Russia to grant to Japanese subjects full fishery rights along the coasts and in the bays, harbors, inlets and rivers of her possessions in the Japan, Okhotsk and Bering Seas. Russia agrees to negotiate.
Based on this response, the Russians appeared to agree or to have a basis to negotiate eight of the twelve Japanese terms, but four of the terms were completely refused by Russia. The completely contested terms were:
- Japan wanted to keep all Russian war ships interred in neutral ports (Demand X).
- Russia objected to limitations of her naval force in the Far East (Demand XI).
- Russia refused to pay any of Japan’s costs of war, originally called an indemnity (Demand IX).
- Russia refused to cession of Sakhalin Island, which Japan occupied late in the war after the sides had agreed to peace negotiations (Demand IV).
August 12, the Herald reported that souvenir post cards (one example, at left) of the first days of the conference were on sale and that the conference had attracted the largest number of summer visitors ever known in Portsmouth. The deliberations also spawned a new beverage, the "Conference Cocktail, a drink the ingredients of which are unknown to all except the man who mixes it. It is said to produce peace by putting those who try it promptly to sleep."
August 13, Sunday: Walk in the Rose Garden
On Sunday, members of both delegations attended church. Witte, Rosen, and other members of the Russian suite went to Christ Church in Portsmouth. Naval officer George H. Rock escorted the men to their seats and, while no sermon was delivered in keeping with Russian custom, the choir sang the Russian national anthem. After the services they went out of the church to be "photographed by a half dozen Kodakers." Witte and Rosen went for an automobile ride in the afternoon
.On Sunday evening Ambassador Takahira and Mineichiro Adachi made a surprise visit to the Second Congregational Church of Kittery, attending both Christian Endeavor and the praise service. The men joined in the hymn singing and Takahira caused a stir when he put $5 in the collection plate. From this day until September 5, when the peace conference ended, both delegations were seen throughout the region at various social events and receptions.
Portsmouth treaty historian Thomas C. Wilson believed that on that Sunday, August 13, Witte and Komura, both of whom spoke French, met secretly and alone in the rose garden at the Wentworth, and convinced each other of their desire for peace and economic and political security in the Far East. Despite the disagreements expressed between Witte and Komura during the formal sessions, it is believed that the commitment to peace expressed to each other during the rose garden walk ultimately kept the delegates negotiating long enough for their governments to agree to peace.
Images, below, left to right:
Second Congregational Church in Kittery. Richard Candee collection.
Witte and Peirce outside Christ Church. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
Hotel Wentworth. Richard Candee collection.
.On Sunday evening Ambassador Takahira and Mineichiro Adachi made a surprise visit to the Second Congregational Church of Kittery, attending both Christian Endeavor and the praise service. The men joined in the hymn singing and Takahira caused a stir when he put $5 in the collection plate. From this day until September 5, when the peace conference ended, both delegations were seen throughout the region at various social events and receptions.
Portsmouth treaty historian Thomas C. Wilson believed that on that Sunday, August 13, Witte and Komura, both of whom spoke French, met secretly and alone in the rose garden at the Wentworth, and convinced each other of their desire for peace and economic and political security in the Far East. Despite the disagreements expressed between Witte and Komura during the formal sessions, it is believed that the commitment to peace expressed to each other during the rose garden walk ultimately kept the delegates negotiating long enough for their governments to agree to peace.
Images, below, left to right:
Second Congregational Church in Kittery. Richard Candee collection.
Witte and Peirce outside Christ Church. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
Hotel Wentworth. Richard Candee collection.
August 14, Monday: Demands I and II Approved
Jacob Schiff
On Monday before the discussions began, Secretary Peirce escorted photographers into the building and the delegates were photographed in the conference room (above).
In the morning session they agreed to Demand I (Korea) and made it Article II in the Treaty. They agreed to combine Demands II and III into Treaty Article III concerning both parties' evacuation of Manchuria. In the afternoon Komura's draft proposal for Treaty Article III was approved.
On Monday evening, August 14, Witte met with New York financier Jacob Schiff and other Jewish bankers to discuss Russia's treatment of the Jews and Russia's discriminating laws against the Jews. Witte expressed sympathy with their cause; he indicated that he personally had treated Jews well and said it was beyond his power to make any changes in the various restrictive laws. But, when Witte suggested that, given the politics and culture of Russia, the Jews might be better off with the restrictive laws that treated Jews unequally politically and socially, he drew a sharp rebuke from Schiff. The most powerful Jewish American banker, Schiff had been horrified by the pogroms of Jews in parts of Russia prior to the war and, as a result, agreed to finance Japanese bank loans in the United States and blocked all efforts by Russia to obtain loans in the United States. He continued to aid the Japanese in obtaining further loans in England and later other parts of Europe.
Maps above, left to right, outline the effect of demands that became Article 2, Article 3 and Article 5 of the Treaty.
August 15, Tuesday: Demands IV (Manchura open door) and VI (Port Arthur Lease) Approved, Demand V (Sakhalin) Deferred
In the morning of the fourth formal session, Witte and Komura agreed on the open door policy in Manchuria (Demand IV, Treaty Article IV) and later launched into a long irreconcilable debate over Sakhalin. The delegates agreed to discuss the problem later rather than halt the negotiation process over this issue. The question of the payment of an indemnity became a major issue for both Russia and Japan. Each country had been concerned about the matter long before arriving in Portsmouth. Russia's position, the Tsar ordered Witte to support, was not to pay indemnity, nor to give up any Russian territory. Witte was adamant in statements to United States Ambassador to France Robert McCormick that if the Japanese pursued their request for a large payment, the negotiations would be brief and end in failure, Witte said Russia was prepared to fight on, but he appealed to France and England for financial and political support. France agreed to make additional loans, but only for payment of an indemnity, not for a continuation of the war. England, who had a treaty with Japan, declined to ask the Japanese to make any moderation in its demands. On August 12, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was renewed.
According to Komura's instructions from his government, the return of Sakhalin and the indemnity were considered secondary matters, but Komura considered them indispensable. He was adamant that Russia, who had provoked the war, would have to pay for its actions, even though at the meeting with Roosevelt at Sagamore Hill, he learned of Russia's opposition to any payment. Komura also knew that the Japanese people considered the war to be a Japanese victory and expected not only the indemnity, but also the retention of Sakhalin, which had been Japanese long before Russia came into the Far East.
Demand VI, concerning the transfer of the leases on the Liaotung peninsula including Port Arthur to the Japanese was discussed and approved in the afternoon session, and became Article V of the Treaty.
According to Komura's instructions from his government, the return of Sakhalin and the indemnity were considered secondary matters, but Komura considered them indispensable. He was adamant that Russia, who had provoked the war, would have to pay for its actions, even though at the meeting with Roosevelt at Sagamore Hill, he learned of Russia's opposition to any payment. Komura also knew that the Japanese people considered the war to be a Japanese victory and expected not only the indemnity, but also the retention of Sakhalin, which had been Japanese long before Russia came into the Far East.
Demand VI, concerning the transfer of the leases on the Liaotung peninsula including Port Arthur to the Japanese was discussed and approved in the afternoon session, and became Article V of the Treaty.
August 16, Wednesday: Demands VII and VIII -- Railways
The transfer of the Eastern Chinese Railroad was one of the non-controversial articles. Harper's Weekly.
In morning and afternoon sessions, Witte and Komura discussed and approved the transfer of the South Manchurian Railway to Japan (Treaty Article III and VI), and the prohibition of the military use of the Trans-Manchurian Railway (Treaty Article VII). On this day cutters were used for transportation between the Hotel Wentworth and the navy yard (image at left, below).
That evening, both delegations and local society attended a lawn party at the Niles Cottage (images below, center and right) in New Castle, hosted by Secretary Peirce's wife Helen Peirce, a "most accomplished woman." She enlisted the governor's wife and the wives of her husband's Harvard friends, retired Naval officers in Portsmouth, officers from the Mayflower, the governor and state and local politicians and other members of local society to initiate a "brilliant social season" in honor of the two delegates. Participants in this tea included Mrs. Arthur Astor Carey, William Dean Howells, Stephen Decatur, and prominent Portsmouth, Kittery and York Harbor citizens and summer citizens.
That evening, both delegations and local society attended a lawn party at the Niles Cottage (images below, center and right) in New Castle, hosted by Secretary Peirce's wife Helen Peirce, a "most accomplished woman." She enlisted the governor's wife and the wives of her husband's Harvard friends, retired Naval officers in Portsmouth, officers from the Mayflower, the governor and state and local politicians and other members of local society to initiate a "brilliant social season" in honor of the two delegates. Participants in this tea included Mrs. Arthur Astor Carey, William Dean Howells, Stephen Decatur, and prominent Portsmouth, Kittery and York Harbor citizens and summer citizens.
August 17, Thursday: Articles IX (Expenses of War) and X (Limit Naval Strength); Roosevelt Asked to Help
By Thursday, August 17, most of the other issues having been resolved, Witte and Komura debated without success the four remaining demands:
Following heated discussions during morning and afternoon sessions, Witte told Komura he would no longer discuss the indemnity (Demand IX) nor Sakhalin (Demand V), and that Friday’s session would be devoted to Japanese fishing rights (Demand XII, Treaty Article XI). This was a pivotal day, since fearing that the peace conference might end without an agreement, both Witte and Komura sent telegrams home seeking advice and support. In four messages to the Tsar, Witte expressed doubts about the success of the conference, believing the parties were deadlocked and unwilling to compromise over Sakhalin and the indemnity. Witte told the Tsar he believed Russia should give up Sakhalin since the Japanese were already in control.
Likewise, Komura told Tokyo the conference would probably end in a couple of days without a signed treaty. He proposed giving up the demands calling for Russia to surrender their interned ships (Demand X) and limiting Russian naval strength in the Far East (Demand XI). Since Roosevelt had earlier indicated he was willing to act if the conference reached an impasse, Komura sent Kaneko to ask the president for his help.
Political cartoons from Harper's Weekly (left to right, below):
Komura presents the Japanese demands to Witte and the Russians.
Witte was under orders from the Tsar not to pay an indemnity. Harper's Weekly.
President Roosevelt, fearful of an imbalance of power in the Far East, was eager to assist Japan and Russia to resolve their differences. Harper's Weekly.
- Russian ships in neutral ports (Demand X)
- limitations on Russia's Far East fleet (Demand XI)
- Sakhalin Island (Demand V, Treaty Article IX)
- the indemnity (Demand IX)
Following heated discussions during morning and afternoon sessions, Witte told Komura he would no longer discuss the indemnity (Demand IX) nor Sakhalin (Demand V), and that Friday’s session would be devoted to Japanese fishing rights (Demand XII, Treaty Article XI). This was a pivotal day, since fearing that the peace conference might end without an agreement, both Witte and Komura sent telegrams home seeking advice and support. In four messages to the Tsar, Witte expressed doubts about the success of the conference, believing the parties were deadlocked and unwilling to compromise over Sakhalin and the indemnity. Witte told the Tsar he believed Russia should give up Sakhalin since the Japanese were already in control.
Likewise, Komura told Tokyo the conference would probably end in a couple of days without a signed treaty. He proposed giving up the demands calling for Russia to surrender their interned ships (Demand X) and limiting Russian naval strength in the Far East (Demand XI). Since Roosevelt had earlier indicated he was willing to act if the conference reached an impasse, Komura sent Kaneko to ask the president for his help.
Political cartoons from Harper's Weekly (left to right, below):
Komura presents the Japanese demands to Witte and the Russians.
Witte was under orders from the Tsar not to pay an indemnity. Harper's Weekly.
President Roosevelt, fearful of an imbalance of power in the Far East, was eager to assist Japan and Russia to resolve their differences. Harper's Weekly.
August 18, Friday: Komura Compromise, Niles Cottage State Dinner
At Friday's formal session, Komura, before hearing from his government, on his own initiative, offered to drop the demands regarding the Russian navy and interned ships, if Witte, in a spirit of conciliation, would agree to continue the discussion of Sakhalin and the indemnity. Rather than dictating a formal reply, Witte asked for a private session with just the four plenipotentiaries attending. In that meeting, Witte explained that he had strict orders regarding the two issues. He said the national sentiment was to continue the war and that Russians were opposed to giving up Sakhalin and paying any indemnity. He, however, was personally anxious to see peace restored and suggested that a payment, not to exceed the cost of the care of the Russian prisoners, was possible and he asked if Komura would accept a partition of Sakhalin.
Komura replied that Japanese sentiment was also opposed to surrendering Sakhalin and dropping an indemnity. In a spirit of mutual concessions, Komura asked if Japan agreed to split Sakhalin, would Russia pay an indemnity of at least 1,200 billion yen, essentially selling back the northern half to Russia. Witte expressed doubts that this indemnity would succeed but acceded to Komura's request to consult his government on the issue. The parties set the next session for Tuesday, August 22, to allow time to consult with their governments.
Meeting on Friday with Kaneko, Roosevelt immediately agreed to use his "good offices" to resolve the deadlock and he asked Witte to send a representative to meet with him.
On Friday, August 18, the Portsmouth Herald headlined, "Crisis is Reached: Peace Negotiations May End at Any Moment. Very Little Hope at Present of a Final Agreement." The Herald said "The Russian envoys say that they would never be forgiven if they agreed to the payment of money and the giving up of their country's territory. The Japanese assert that they would be forever disgraced if they placed their signatures to a treaty which did not include those points."
Friday evening the Russians attended a state dinner at the Niles' cottage hosted by Secretary Peirce and his wife and prominent people from Portsmouth and summer people from the Hotel Wentworth and elsewhere. The Tenth Artillery Corps Band also played at the occasion. A renowned U. S. Military Band from Fort Banks, Boston, the band was assigned by the U. S. Army to Fort Constitution in New Castle during the delegates’ stay. The band played at the Wentworth Hotel at a specially constructed bandstand and at other delegate social occasions, at Fort Constitution, and for the governor and mayor of Portsmouth throughout the area during the negotiations. Image: Soldiers at Fort Constitution. Richard Candee collection.
Komura replied that Japanese sentiment was also opposed to surrendering Sakhalin and dropping an indemnity. In a spirit of mutual concessions, Komura asked if Japan agreed to split Sakhalin, would Russia pay an indemnity of at least 1,200 billion yen, essentially selling back the northern half to Russia. Witte expressed doubts that this indemnity would succeed but acceded to Komura's request to consult his government on the issue. The parties set the next session for Tuesday, August 22, to allow time to consult with their governments.
Meeting on Friday with Kaneko, Roosevelt immediately agreed to use his "good offices" to resolve the deadlock and he asked Witte to send a representative to meet with him.
On Friday, August 18, the Portsmouth Herald headlined, "Crisis is Reached: Peace Negotiations May End at Any Moment. Very Little Hope at Present of a Final Agreement." The Herald said "The Russian envoys say that they would never be forgiven if they agreed to the payment of money and the giving up of their country's territory. The Japanese assert that they would be forever disgraced if they placed their signatures to a treaty which did not include those points."
Friday evening the Russians attended a state dinner at the Niles' cottage hosted by Secretary Peirce and his wife and prominent people from Portsmouth and summer people from the Hotel Wentworth and elsewhere. The Tenth Artillery Corps Band also played at the occasion. A renowned U. S. Military Band from Fort Banks, Boston, the band was assigned by the U. S. Army to Fort Constitution in New Castle during the delegates’ stay. The band played at the Wentworth Hotel at a specially constructed bandstand and at other delegate social occasions, at Fort Constitution, and for the governor and mayor of Portsmouth throughout the area during the negotiations. Image: Soldiers at Fort Constitution. Richard Candee collection.
August 19, Saturday: Back Channel - Roosevelt Meets Rosen
Baron Rosen
On Saturday Roosevelt secretly met with Baron Rosen at the summer White House seeking some sort of Russian compromise. This effort produced little hope towards resolution of the impasse. Roosevelt then turned his attention to the Tsar and to the Japanese government directly.
Both delegations were invited to the York Country Club. The delegates were given full cards of admission to the Portsmouth Athletic Club where some were visitors. The Russians and Japanese enjoyed the hospitality of the club and some proved to be expert pool and billiard players.
During their stay, the Russians met Portsmouth Russian Jewish merchants at Goodman's Store on Market St. in Portsmouth. Speaking the Russian language, the local Jewish merchants translated for the Russians as they shopped in Portsmouth and discussed the treatment of Jews in Portsmouth versus their treatment in Russia.
Both delegations were invited to the York Country Club. The delegates were given full cards of admission to the Portsmouth Athletic Club where some were visitors. The Russians and Japanese enjoyed the hospitality of the club and some proved to be expert pool and billiard players.
During their stay, the Russians met Portsmouth Russian Jewish merchants at Goodman's Store on Market St. in Portsmouth. Speaking the Russian language, the local Jewish merchants translated for the Russians as they shopped in Portsmouth and discussed the treatment of Jews in Portsmouth versus their treatment in Russia.
August 20, Sunday: Church and U.S.S. Mayflower Social Event
The tension of the debate paused on Sunday when members of both delegations attended Christ Church in Portsmouth. Upon leaving the service, Minister Takahira met his old American teacher, Professor Clark—a Portsmouth native who had taught at Tokyo's Imperial University.
In the afternoon, members of both delegations accepted Oscar Laighton's invitation to visit Appledore House at the Isles of Shoals. Secretary Peirce, Governor McLane and the social hostesses, along with the U. S. Navy, hosted the party on board the U.S.S. Mayflower for a lunch stop at Appledore together with many local politicians and other local guests. Witte, no lover of the ocean, went for another automobile ride to his now favorite local site, York Beach, and socialized with the summer visitors there.
Images below, left to right:
The USS Mayflower. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
Appledore House, Isles of Shoals. This photo, with what appears to be a Japanese flag and a marching band, may have been taken on the day the envoys visited the island. Courtesy Susy Mansfield.
Witte, who enjoyed riding in an automobile and meeting the locals, made repeated visits to York Beach. Richard Candee collection.
In the afternoon, members of both delegations accepted Oscar Laighton's invitation to visit Appledore House at the Isles of Shoals. Secretary Peirce, Governor McLane and the social hostesses, along with the U. S. Navy, hosted the party on board the U.S.S. Mayflower for a lunch stop at Appledore together with many local politicians and other local guests. Witte, no lover of the ocean, went for another automobile ride to his now favorite local site, York Beach, and socialized with the summer visitors there.
Images below, left to right:
The USS Mayflower. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
Appledore House, Isles of Shoals. This photo, with what appears to be a Japanese flag and a marching band, may have been taken on the day the envoys visited the island. Courtesy Susy Mansfield.
Witte, who enjoyed riding in an automobile and meeting the locals, made repeated visits to York Beach. Richard Candee collection.
August 21, Monday: Roosevelt Back Channel Efforts
On Monday, Roosevelt met with Kaneko (left) and supported the Komura compromise on Sakhalin but suggested reducing the indemnity to 600 million yen. Meanwhile, Roosevelt initiated a series of secret behind the scenes diplomatic initiatives, known as back channel diplomacy. The president sent a message to the Tsar, hand delivered by Ambassador George Meyer, urging Nicholas to accept the Japanese proposal but suggesting that the amount of the indemnity could be worked out later. During this period, Roosevelt sent telegrams to leaders in Germany, France and Britain urging their support for this peaceful compromise. The German emperor, who had influence with the Czar, encouraged the Czar to compromise.
A resolution was presented to Witte and Rosen at the Wentworth Hotel by a group of Russian Jews from Lawrence, Massachusetts, who earnestly wished Witte and Rosen success in bringing peace to their former homeland. About 600 Russian Jews from Lawrence signed the document.
A resolution was presented to Witte and Rosen at the Wentworth Hotel by a group of Russian Jews from Lawrence, Massachusetts, who earnestly wished Witte and Rosen success in bringing peace to their former homeland. About 600 Russian Jews from Lawrence signed the document.