August 29, Tuesday: Peace
After all the business in the conference room had been concluded, we were invited to a daintily prepared lunch in another apartment. Here the greatest good fellowship prevailed. Toasts were drunk to Russia, Japan, the members of the embassies, to Portsmouth and to a great number of other persons and places. -- Portsmouth Mayor William Marvin
On August 29, as Komura and his party left the hotel for the Navy Yard, he was heard to say, “Today is Minatogawa,” referring to a tragic 1336 battle in which a loyal samurai, knowing he wouldn’t prevail, sacrificed his life by leading his forces against anti-imperial rebels. Komura was opposed to giving into the Russians on no indemnity and one-half of Sakhalin but he loyally accepted his government’s position, knowing that he would receive the blame from many Japanese politicians and the Japanese people. However, he was not sure of Witte’s position, and he had his orders to make certain he got one-half of Sakhalin.
Witte also had his orders to make no concessions and end the talks. The parties met at the Shipyard at 10:00 a.m. first in private in an informal session to determine the final situation. Witte told Komura that the Tsar had formally rejected his previous offer of a compromise. Komura then said the Japanese would drop the indemnity if Russia would cede all of Sakhalin to them. Witte again declined the offer. For a few moments no one spoke and the room was filled with tension. Komura, then realizing that Russia would concede nothing else and that he would have to make the proposal that would result in peace, made his final offer. If Japan dropped its demand for indemnity, Komura asked, would Russia give up half of the island? The reply was yes. The agreement was reached.
The parties then moved to the formal session at 10:55 a.m. where the scenario was formally repeated with Komura repeating the offers and Witte making no concessions, but finally agreeing to Komura’s offer of one-half of Sakhalin. Peace in principle was achieved. Witte wanted to leave the peace details to later negotiations, but Komura insisted on settling every last detail of the dispute and cessation of hostilities. In the formal morning session the parties then dealt with problems with the cession of Sakhalin and agreed on Demand V (Treaty Article IX), withdrawal of troops from Manchuria, and the point of demarcation between the Russian and Japanese railways in Manchuria. The session ended at 12:30 p.m. Komura had calmly notified Secretary Peirce of the agreement at 12:00 and asked him to first inform Roosevelt. Most of the delegates ate at the shipyard, but Witte left for lunch at the Wentworth where, by the time he reached the hotel, the crowd was wild with joy as men threw their hats aloft and women actually wept at the news. Witte became overcome with emotion and claimed diplomatic victory by saying the Russians had paid not one sous.
When Secretary Peirce notified Portsmouth Mayor William E. Marvin of the agreement, the mayor ordered the bells of the city rung for half an hour, from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m., a tribute previously accorded only at the end of the Civil War. Japanese and Russian flags were unfurled both from the Rockingham and the Young Men’s Christian Association building on Congress Street in Portsmouth.
On August 29, as Komura and his party left the hotel for the Navy Yard, he was heard to say, “Today is Minatogawa,” referring to a tragic 1336 battle in which a loyal samurai, knowing he wouldn’t prevail, sacrificed his life by leading his forces against anti-imperial rebels. Komura was opposed to giving into the Russians on no indemnity and one-half of Sakhalin but he loyally accepted his government’s position, knowing that he would receive the blame from many Japanese politicians and the Japanese people. However, he was not sure of Witte’s position, and he had his orders to make certain he got one-half of Sakhalin.
Witte also had his orders to make no concessions and end the talks. The parties met at the Shipyard at 10:00 a.m. first in private in an informal session to determine the final situation. Witte told Komura that the Tsar had formally rejected his previous offer of a compromise. Komura then said the Japanese would drop the indemnity if Russia would cede all of Sakhalin to them. Witte again declined the offer. For a few moments no one spoke and the room was filled with tension. Komura, then realizing that Russia would concede nothing else and that he would have to make the proposal that would result in peace, made his final offer. If Japan dropped its demand for indemnity, Komura asked, would Russia give up half of the island? The reply was yes. The agreement was reached.
The parties then moved to the formal session at 10:55 a.m. where the scenario was formally repeated with Komura repeating the offers and Witte making no concessions, but finally agreeing to Komura’s offer of one-half of Sakhalin. Peace in principle was achieved. Witte wanted to leave the peace details to later negotiations, but Komura insisted on settling every last detail of the dispute and cessation of hostilities. In the formal morning session the parties then dealt with problems with the cession of Sakhalin and agreed on Demand V (Treaty Article IX), withdrawal of troops from Manchuria, and the point of demarcation between the Russian and Japanese railways in Manchuria. The session ended at 12:30 p.m. Komura had calmly notified Secretary Peirce of the agreement at 12:00 and asked him to first inform Roosevelt. Most of the delegates ate at the shipyard, but Witte left for lunch at the Wentworth where, by the time he reached the hotel, the crowd was wild with joy as men threw their hats aloft and women actually wept at the news. Witte became overcome with emotion and claimed diplomatic victory by saying the Russians had paid not one sous.
When Secretary Peirce notified Portsmouth Mayor William E. Marvin of the agreement, the mayor ordered the bells of the city rung for half an hour, from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m., a tribute previously accorded only at the end of the Civil War. Japanese and Russian flags were unfurled both from the Rockingham and the Young Men’s Christian Association building on Congress Street in Portsmouth.
Witte returned to the Shipyard at 3:00 p.m. and the formal negotiations resumed to deal with agreements on exchange of prisoners of war, treaty of commerce, linking of railways, and the exchange of ratification. The session adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Both sets of delegates were cheered as they drove back through the city and they received a roaring welcome from guests and staff at the Wentworth. Witte was so overcome with emotion he had difficulty maintaining his composure while Komura was seen to smile, in fact laugh, for the first time since his arrival in Portsmouth.
In a front-page headlined “Treaty of Portsmouth,” the Herald seemed to have had the final word on a subject that had been bothering most local people. Witte wired Roosevelt: “I extend to you my hearty thanks for your humane efforts upon peace and the Treaty of Portsmouth, N.H.”
Witte immediately telegrammed the Tsar with the news good and the next day received a response from Nicholas that only ordered him not to sign the treaty if the size of the payment for the care of war prisoners was not established. Nicholas did not express his thanks for Witte’s efforts. For Witte the days until the treaty was signed were uneasy. He feared that Nicholas might again change his mind and he considered that the Japanese might do the same.
That evening some Russians dined with Assistant Secretary Peirce. Later there was a cinema and banquet at the Wentworth where both Russian and Japanese envoys viewed the film of their arrival.
In a front-page headlined “Treaty of Portsmouth,” the Herald seemed to have had the final word on a subject that had been bothering most local people. Witte wired Roosevelt: “I extend to you my hearty thanks for your humane efforts upon peace and the Treaty of Portsmouth, N.H.”
Witte immediately telegrammed the Tsar with the news good and the next day received a response from Nicholas that only ordered him not to sign the treaty if the size of the payment for the care of war prisoners was not established. Nicholas did not express his thanks for Witte’s efforts. For Witte the days until the treaty was signed were uneasy. He feared that Nicholas might again change his mind and he considered that the Japanese might do the same.
That evening some Russians dined with Assistant Secretary Peirce. Later there was a cinema and banquet at the Wentworth where both Russian and Japanese envoys viewed the film of their arrival.
August 30, Wednesday: Roosevelt Thrilled
On the 30th, telegrams of congratulations from around the world were sent to the Japanese and Russian governments and by all parties to Roosevelt. The president, of course, was thrilled that the parties had reached agreement. He was said to have exclaimed that the peace was good for the Japanese, good for the Russians, and “mighty good for me too!” His belief was accurate: Roosevelt received the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts.
Roosevelt had set up the conference in a neutral hospitable setting without any other nation at the negotiation table in keeping with both the delegations’ request. When the negotiations faltered, he effectively used his back channel diplomacy to gain concessions from both parties that kept the negotiations going until the parties saw a compromise was more reasonable than continuing the war. Everyone knew he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. Image at left: President Roosevelt's back channel efforts, both before and during the negotiations, were crucial in making peace possible. Harper's Weekly
During Wednesday, the Japanese consulted with their government on an armistice protocol and drafted a proposal for informal negotiations the next day with the Russians at the Wentworth.
Witte received the Manchester Municipal Council and others from Amoskeag Mills at the hotel and then met with young summer girls eager to meet the great diplomat. That night Witte invited Portsmouth postmaster John H. Bartlett to dinner in return for Bartlett’s hospitality by inviting the Russians to the minstrel show. A law partner and son-in-law of Calvin Page and later elected governor, Bartlett was also postmaster although at this time he was on leave as a member of Gov. McLane’s staff. Mrs. Peirce hosted the Japanese secretaries at Niles Cottage.
Roosevelt had set up the conference in a neutral hospitable setting without any other nation at the negotiation table in keeping with both the delegations’ request. When the negotiations faltered, he effectively used his back channel diplomacy to gain concessions from both parties that kept the negotiations going until the parties saw a compromise was more reasonable than continuing the war. Everyone knew he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. Image at left: President Roosevelt's back channel efforts, both before and during the negotiations, were crucial in making peace possible. Harper's Weekly
During Wednesday, the Japanese consulted with their government on an armistice protocol and drafted a proposal for informal negotiations the next day with the Russians at the Wentworth.
Witte received the Manchester Municipal Council and others from Amoskeag Mills at the hotel and then met with young summer girls eager to meet the great diplomat. That night Witte invited Portsmouth postmaster John H. Bartlett to dinner in return for Bartlett’s hospitality by inviting the Russians to the minstrel show. A law partner and son-in-law of Calvin Page and later elected governor, Bartlett was also postmaster although at this time he was on leave as a member of Gov. McLane’s staff. Mrs. Peirce hosted the Japanese secretaries at Niles Cottage.
August 31, Thursday: Informal Wentworth Negotiations; Green Acre Visit
The delegations exchanged different drafts of an Armistice protocol in informal meetings in their rooms in the Wentworth. On Thursday, Takahira and some of the Japanese attended a peace meeting at Green Acre, the Bahá’í center in Eliot, Maine. In one of the many speeches given, Takahira praised his country for making peace the instant Japan accomplished the war aims deemed necessary for the country’s national existence. Other Japanese praised Roosevelt’s efforts in the peace process. Green Acre founder Sarah Farmer had committed the institution to the principles of peace and religious unity in 1894. She even had the first known peace flag in the world raised on the hills of Green Acre. A planned meeting for the Russians there was called off later because it would have conflicted with the actual signing of the treaty.
Dr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Heffenger hosted the Russian delegation at their home on Austin Street on Thursday evening. Also attending were many of the local social hosts and Navy officers. Witte remained at the Wentworth to hear a piano recital given by M. Hansen, first secretary of the Russian legation.
Gov. McLane, wanting to appease his North Country supporters who had lost out as treaty hosts, invited members of both delegations to tour the White Mountains, but after the treaty was signed neither side was interested in a social trip.
Dr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Heffenger hosted the Russian delegation at their home on Austin Street on Thursday evening. Also attending were many of the local social hosts and Navy officers. Witte remained at the Wentworth to hear a piano recital given by M. Hansen, first secretary of the Russian legation.
Gov. McLane, wanting to appease his North Country supporters who had lost out as treaty hosts, invited members of both delegations to tour the White Mountains, but after the treaty was signed neither side was interested in a social trip.
September 1, Friday: Armistice Signed at Wentworth; Niles Cottage Social Event
The armistice protocol was signed in Komura’s suite at the Wentworth at 11:30 a.m., but the protocol indicated that the hostilities would end only when the peace treaty was actually signed. The delegates planned to complete the treaty on September 4 or 5. That evening, from 8:30 - 10:00 p.m., Komura met with Witte and other delegates in Witte’s chambers at the Wentworth in the second informal meeting to continue negotiations on the conditions of withdrawal of troops and cession of the southern half of Sakhalin.
While Witte would have been satisfied with a more general document, Komura relentlessly negotiated all of the fine points necessary to resolve all the questions of peace and disengagement. Legal experts from each country were now given the responsibility of the drafting of the Treaty. American Henry Denison of Lancaster, New Hampshire, a legal and financial advisor to the Japanese Department of Foreign Affairs, represented that country while the Russians were represented by Professor Theodore de Martens, a member of the Council to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
That evening some of the Japanese were again invited to the Niles Cottage by the Peirces.
Left: Henry Denison, standing at center, behind Komura and Takahira. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection
While Witte would have been satisfied with a more general document, Komura relentlessly negotiated all of the fine points necessary to resolve all the questions of peace and disengagement. Legal experts from each country were now given the responsibility of the drafting of the Treaty. American Henry Denison of Lancaster, New Hampshire, a legal and financial advisor to the Japanese Department of Foreign Affairs, represented that country while the Russians were represented by Professor Theodore de Martens, a member of the Council to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
That evening some of the Japanese were again invited to the Niles Cottage by the Peirces.
Left: Henry Denison, standing at center, behind Komura and Takahira. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection
September 2, Saturday: Treaty Articles Completed; Rockingham Ball
During the afternoon and evening, the delegates continued to negotiate the terms of the treaty articles for the withdrawal of both armies from Manchuria and the cession of Sakhalin in the third and fourth informal meetings held in Komura’s and Witte’s Wentworth suites. The fourth and last informal meeting between Witte and Komura started in Witte’s suite at 9:00 p.m. When it successfully concluded, the parties hoped to get treaty drafts by September 4th or as soon as the papers could be prepared.
Some of the Japanese attended a Mechanic’s Ball at the Rockingham Hotel.
Left: Russian and Japanese soldiers fixing the Sakhalin boundary based on the treaty negotiations. Courtesy of The Memorial Picture Gallery at the Meiji Jingu Shrine.
Some of the Japanese attended a Mechanic’s Ball at the Rockingham Hotel.
Left: Russian and Japanese soldiers fixing the Sakhalin boundary based on the treaty negotiations. Courtesy of The Memorial Picture Gallery at the Meiji Jingu Shrine.
September 3, Sunday: Creek Farm and Wentworth Event
On Sunday, Mrs. Carey and other local hosts again invited the delegates to lunch at Creek Farm. That evening John H. Bartlett and other local hosts dined with Japanese delegates at the Wentworth.
By Monday telegrams and press reports from both Russia and Japan indicated dissatisfaction with the treaty in both countries. The delegates worked feverishly to complete the treaty as if they were afraid difficulties might arise. The Russian delegation’s consternation was caused in part by a Petersburg wire to Witte saying, “Not to hurry with the signing.” In Japan there was news of public protests against the treaty, and the next day petitions opposing the peace treaty were presented to the Emperor.
By Monday telegrams and press reports from both Russia and Japan indicated dissatisfaction with the treaty in both countries. The delegates worked feverishly to complete the treaty as if they were afraid difficulties might arise. The Russian delegation’s consternation was caused in part by a Petersburg wire to Witte saying, “Not to hurry with the signing.” In Japan there was news of public protests against the treaty, and the next day petitions opposing the peace treaty were presented to the Emperor.
September 4, Monday: Signing Postponed; Wentworth Love Fest
Witte received Father Hotovitsky of the New York Russian Orthodox Church and a deacon and seven Russian priests from different towns. A peace service was arranged for the next day at Christ Church. Deputations of newsmen approached the Russians and Japanese to request to be admitted to the treaty signing the next day. They were refused. Both delegations felt the signing was not a “show,” but a “most important state function.”
On the night before the signing the Japanese hosted at an “international love fest” at the Wentworth. The receiving line included Komura, Takahira, and Governor McLane, and most of the Japanese delegation. The Japanese invited the press, hotel guests, the Navy and local hosts, and the Russian delegation. Witte and the entire Russian delegation attended and appeared to get along so well with the Japanese that local observers noted it showed both countries had, in American parlance, “buried the hatchet.”
On the night before the signing the Japanese hosted at an “international love fest” at the Wentworth. The receiving line included Komura, Takahira, and Governor McLane, and most of the Japanese delegation. The Japanese invited the press, hotel guests, the Navy and local hosts, and the Russian delegation. Witte and the entire Russian delegation attended and appeared to get along so well with the Japanese that local observers noted it showed both countries had, in American parlance, “buried the hatchet.”
September 5, Tuesday: Treaty Signed
At about 3:30 p.m., on September 5, in the naval stores building at the Navy Yard, the envoys met for the last time to sign the treaty. The Russians, and then the Japanese signed four copies of the document (two in English, two in French).
The witnesses to the signing were Secretary Peirce, Portsmouth Mayor Marvin, Governor McLane, Rear Admiral Mead, Commandant Winslow of the Mayflower and Lieutenant Commander Gibbons of the Dolphin. The signings were completed at 3:47 p.m. according to the Herald.
Everyone was silent during the signing but when Witte finished, he tossed his pen aside and stood, reached across the table to shake hands with Komura. The rest of the conferees followed his lead, and then Rosen made a short speech of gratitude to the Japanese in which he hoped that every effort would be made to maintain friendly relations between the countries. Komura responded in a like manner, pledging to do everything that he could to insure “a treaty of peace and amity.”
With the local populace, to say nothing of the rest of the world, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the signing, “One of the secretaries of the Russian mission by a prearranged signal gave the information to a corporal of marines, who was standing just outside the door of the conference room. On the dead run across the hall and down the stairway he rushed to the big doorway
of the stores building and thus called to Captain Jefferson Rowe, a one-armed officer who had been anxiously waiting.
“All right, Cap!’
“With his one arm, Cap waved a red signal flag and BOOM, BOOM, BOOM went the guns, the first notice to thousands in the immediate vicinity that the treaty had been signed.” Church bells rang in Kittery Point, Portsmouth, and New Castle.
Meanwhile, the men adjourned to the dining room for a brief reception. The only woman known to be present was Sarah Jane Farmer of Green Acre, so honored for her devotion to world peace. For some reason, there were no champagne glasses but a call to the Rockingham resulted in a quick delivery of glasses by automobile. Several toasts were offered, including one to the city of Portsmouth.
Mayor Marvin shared his observations of the last session with the Herald’s readers: “M. Witte signed the treaty with his own fountain pen which he returned to his pocket after using it. Along the sides of the table in the conference were, at least, two-dozen pens and Baron Komura, when he signed the first copy of the treaty used one of these, a common wooden handled pen, with a cork finger guard. He laid this down and when next called upon to sign his name used another. In the signing of the copies of the treaty and the protocol, Baron Komura wrote his name eight times and used six or seven pens. Baron Rosen and Mr. Takahira also used pens from the table. One of the pens thus used was given to me. After all the business in the conference room had been concluded, we were invited to a daintily prepared lunch in another apartment. Here the greatest good fellowship prevailed. Toasts were drunk to Russia, Japan, the members of the embassies, to Portsmouth and to a great number of other persons and places. M. Witte passed up and down both sides of the table touching his glass to those of every person present. Baron Rosen proposed to me a toast something like this: May Portsmouth continue to prosper and always be as beautiful and as hospitable as she has been during the peace conference. Baron Komura was somewhat less effusive but he also spoke very kindly of Portsmouth.”
Image above, left: Witte signs treaty as Komura looks on. Courtesy of The Memorial Picture Gallery at the Meiji Jingu Shrine
Transcribed text of the Treaty:
The witnesses to the signing were Secretary Peirce, Portsmouth Mayor Marvin, Governor McLane, Rear Admiral Mead, Commandant Winslow of the Mayflower and Lieutenant Commander Gibbons of the Dolphin. The signings were completed at 3:47 p.m. according to the Herald.
Everyone was silent during the signing but when Witte finished, he tossed his pen aside and stood, reached across the table to shake hands with Komura. The rest of the conferees followed his lead, and then Rosen made a short speech of gratitude to the Japanese in which he hoped that every effort would be made to maintain friendly relations between the countries. Komura responded in a like manner, pledging to do everything that he could to insure “a treaty of peace and amity.”
With the local populace, to say nothing of the rest of the world, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the signing, “One of the secretaries of the Russian mission by a prearranged signal gave the information to a corporal of marines, who was standing just outside the door of the conference room. On the dead run across the hall and down the stairway he rushed to the big doorway
of the stores building and thus called to Captain Jefferson Rowe, a one-armed officer who had been anxiously waiting.
“All right, Cap!’
“With his one arm, Cap waved a red signal flag and BOOM, BOOM, BOOM went the guns, the first notice to thousands in the immediate vicinity that the treaty had been signed.” Church bells rang in Kittery Point, Portsmouth, and New Castle.
Meanwhile, the men adjourned to the dining room for a brief reception. The only woman known to be present was Sarah Jane Farmer of Green Acre, so honored for her devotion to world peace. For some reason, there were no champagne glasses but a call to the Rockingham resulted in a quick delivery of glasses by automobile. Several toasts were offered, including one to the city of Portsmouth.
Mayor Marvin shared his observations of the last session with the Herald’s readers: “M. Witte signed the treaty with his own fountain pen which he returned to his pocket after using it. Along the sides of the table in the conference were, at least, two-dozen pens and Baron Komura, when he signed the first copy of the treaty used one of these, a common wooden handled pen, with a cork finger guard. He laid this down and when next called upon to sign his name used another. In the signing of the copies of the treaty and the protocol, Baron Komura wrote his name eight times and used six or seven pens. Baron Rosen and Mr. Takahira also used pens from the table. One of the pens thus used was given to me. After all the business in the conference room had been concluded, we were invited to a daintily prepared lunch in another apartment. Here the greatest good fellowship prevailed. Toasts were drunk to Russia, Japan, the members of the embassies, to Portsmouth and to a great number of other persons and places. M. Witte passed up and down both sides of the table touching his glass to those of every person present. Baron Rosen proposed to me a toast something like this: May Portsmouth continue to prosper and always be as beautiful and as hospitable as she has been during the peace conference. Baron Komura was somewhat less effusive but he also spoke very kindly of Portsmouth.”
Image above, left: Witte signs treaty as Komura looks on. Courtesy of The Memorial Picture Gallery at the Meiji Jingu Shrine
Transcribed text of the Treaty:
Image below: Komura, left, watches Witte sign the treaty documents on September 5. In the background is Secretary Peirce. No photographers were permitted in the conference room but a member of the Russian delegation made this sketch which was forwarded to St. Petersburg and distributed to the foreign press. From Lietopis Voiny's Yaponye (Chronicle of the War with Japan).
The signature page of the Treaty (replica) on the original desk blotter and with the pens and sealing wax used on September 5.
September 5, Tuesday: Treaty Signed; Christ Church Service
 Fr. Hotovistsky
Following the signing, the Russians left directly for Portsmouth where a service of thanksgiving was held in Christ Church. The sanctuary was filled to overflowing with both dignitaries and local residents for the service, which was conducted by the rector, the Rev. C. LeV. Brine, assisted by other Orthodox clergy who came to the city for the occasion. Also participating were choristers from St. Nicholas’s Cathedral in New York. Father Alexander Hotovitsky, Archpriest of St. Nicholas’s, sang a solemn Te Deum.
Father Hotovitsky, a renowned missionary of the Russian Orthodox Church in America, was later martyred by the Russian Communists and eventually was made a saint, but on this day his topic was peace. Speaking before the congregation, he told Witte and Rosen, “I congratulate you, on the great victory you have won over feelings that are natural to all Russians, since it was truly hard for a nation as proud as ours is to make peace with Japan, after what we have experienced at her hands.” According to the Portsmouth Times, the “most thrilling incident of the service” came when Fr. Hotovitsky presented the two Russian diplomats with the crucifix: “The baron fell on his knees to embrace the sacred emblem,” while Witte “gave way to his emotions and wept like a child.”Although a pew had been reserved for the Japanese, they did not attend. After the service, a large crowd outside warmly greeted the Russians and when Witte returned to the Wentworth he found his coat pockets filled with gifts from well-wishers. Later at the hotel, Komura made a courtesy call on Governor McLane and gave $10,000 to the state in gratitude and then visited the hotel staff distributing $1,000 in tips. Three days later the Russians also gave the state $10,000. Komura left the city on the 7:28 train that evening, planning to visit Harvard. The next day the Herald reported, “Baron Komura left Portsmouth last evening for Boston. Before his departure, he requested the editor ". . . to express his sincere thanks for the unfailing courtesy and kindness, which he and Mr. Takahira and the rest of the members of his staff have invariably received at the hands of the state and municipal authorities and residents. Nothing, he adds, was left undone to make his stay here as agreeable as possible and he will carry back to his own country the most agreeable recollections of the beautiful city of Portsmouth and her most hospitable inhabitants.” |
Six-foot high bronze plaque in Christ Church commemorating the Treaty signing (in English and Russian) was destroyed when the church burned in 1963. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection
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SEPTEMBER 6, WEDNESDAY: DEPARTURE
Portsmouth train station.
On the following day, a huge crowd at the Portsmouth railroad station cheered the Russians and the remaining Japanese who left by separate trains. Korostovetz, at the railroad station on Wednesday, made the following statement to the editor of the Herald in behalf of Witte: “I am delighted with America. I am especially delighted with the people of Portsmouth including all those I have met during my stay. I have nothing but kind words for all who have in any way assisted in providing for us. I shall always remember your grand old city.”
A Herald editorial concluded: “Portsmouth has been the center of the world’s stage this summer and now that the scene has been shifted and we are allowed a few moments of leisure we can see cause for nothing but congratulations. Our city has won enduring fame and that fame is shared by the humblest citizen.”
A Herald editorial concluded: “Portsmouth has been the center of the world’s stage this summer and now that the scene has been shifted and we are allowed a few moments of leisure we can see cause for nothing but congratulations. Our city has won enduring fame and that fame is shared by the humblest citizen.”
