portsmouth hosts conference
august 8, tuesday
Portsmouth's Congress Street with American patriotic holiday decorations rather than showing Japanese or Russian favoritism. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
On the morning of August 8, Rear Admiral William Mead left the Portsmouth Shipyard on his barge to greet the Russians, and then the Japanese whose ships were waiting beside Whale Back Light. For Mead and local people on both sides of the Piscataqua River, this day had been anticipated for nearly a month. On July 10, the Portsmouth Herald announced that the city would host the conference, and planning was underway to use the shipyard and the Wentworth. A few days later, August 7 was announced as the starting date, a day changed when bad weather delayed arrival of the ships off Portsmouth.
Decorations covered the downtown buildings and although the Stars and Stripes was hanging everywhere, people were asked not to display the flags of Japan and Russia lest some slight be taken by either delegation. The most decorated buildings were the offices of Western Union and the Postal Telegraph Company and city hall. The county courthouse was festooned with bunting and flags and featured life-size portraits of Washington and Grant.
Governor John McLane and other state officials moved to the Wentworth for the month of August and Niles cottage was donated to Assistant Secretary of State Herbert H.D. Peirce, who was President Roosevelt's personal representative at the conference, could use it.
Despite all of the arrangements that were being made for the meeting, Rear Admiral Mead (below right, in the doorway of Building 86) was not officially informed by Washington of the order to set up for the conference until Wednesday, August 2. At 9 a.m. on Thursday, 200 men began working around the clock to convert the second floor of the new naval stores building for use as the conference headquarters.
In the building's one large room (below, center), partitions were erected creating space for the conference meeting room, three-room suites on each side for each delegation (below, left), a reception room for the United States representatives, and two fireproof rooms for document storage.
Three carloads of furniture for the conference arrived from Philadelphia and three janitors, appointed directly by the state department, were hired to maintain the naval stores building. Forty-foot cutters, built at the yard for use on battleships but not yet in commission, were fitted out for use by the delegates to provide alternative transportation between New Castle and the yard. A twenty-five-man detachment of sailors from the Wabash, then in Boston, was sent to Portsmouth to crew the cutters during the conference.
The peace negotiations were to drag on for nearly a month, but for the people of the Maine and New Hampshire seacoast, even the treaty signing was anticlimactic compared to the excitement of the day when the delegations were received in Portsmouth. The arrival of hundreds of visitors including many famous journalists from this country, Europe, and Japan foretold the importance of the event. Booked several days in advance, the Wentworth, the Rockingham, the Kearsarge, and the Merrick hotels were full, the latter three primarily with newsmen.
Decorations covered the downtown buildings and although the Stars and Stripes was hanging everywhere, people were asked not to display the flags of Japan and Russia lest some slight be taken by either delegation. The most decorated buildings were the offices of Western Union and the Postal Telegraph Company and city hall. The county courthouse was festooned with bunting and flags and featured life-size portraits of Washington and Grant.
Governor John McLane and other state officials moved to the Wentworth for the month of August and Niles cottage was donated to Assistant Secretary of State Herbert H.D. Peirce, who was President Roosevelt's personal representative at the conference, could use it.
Despite all of the arrangements that were being made for the meeting, Rear Admiral Mead (below right, in the doorway of Building 86) was not officially informed by Washington of the order to set up for the conference until Wednesday, August 2. At 9 a.m. on Thursday, 200 men began working around the clock to convert the second floor of the new naval stores building for use as the conference headquarters.
In the building's one large room (below, center), partitions were erected creating space for the conference meeting room, three-room suites on each side for each delegation (below, left), a reception room for the United States representatives, and two fireproof rooms for document storage.
Three carloads of furniture for the conference arrived from Philadelphia and three janitors, appointed directly by the state department, were hired to maintain the naval stores building. Forty-foot cutters, built at the yard for use on battleships but not yet in commission, were fitted out for use by the delegates to provide alternative transportation between New Castle and the yard. A twenty-five-man detachment of sailors from the Wabash, then in Boston, was sent to Portsmouth to crew the cutters during the conference.
The peace negotiations were to drag on for nearly a month, but for the people of the Maine and New Hampshire seacoast, even the treaty signing was anticlimactic compared to the excitement of the day when the delegations were received in Portsmouth. The arrival of hundreds of visitors including many famous journalists from this country, Europe, and Japan foretold the importance of the event. Booked several days in advance, the Wentworth, the Rockingham, the Kearsarge, and the Merrick hotels were full, the latter three primarily with newsmen.
RUSSIAN & JAPANESE DELEGATIONS ARRIVE
Go to the 1905 Thomas Edison film showing the delegates' departure from New York, arrival at Portsmouth Navy Yard and the welcoming parade.
On August 8, after visiting both delegations, Admiral Mead returned to the shipyard to await the arrival of the Russians and the Japanese. At 11:15 a.m., Secretary Peirce and his party left the Galveston for the Navy Yard, their journey from the ship shadowed by darting tugs with photographers aboard.
Then a nineteen-gun salute indicated that the Russians were leaving the Mayflower on the Admiral's cutter. They were first greeted by local people in small boats. The Russians approached the dock on the barge that flew the American flag forward and the Russian aft. After Witte, then Rosen and the other Russians stepped ashore, their flag vanished so that the Japanese would not be affronted by seeing it on an American vessel.
Peirce and Mead greeted the Russians on the landing whereupon they all climbed the steps to pass through a receiving line of other yard officers. Escorted by Peirce, the Russians went to the conference building, ironically passing before the gun battery as it boomed its welcome to the Japanese. In all 76 guns were fired to salute both delegations.
On August 8, after visiting both delegations, Admiral Mead returned to the shipyard to await the arrival of the Russians and the Japanese. At 11:15 a.m., Secretary Peirce and his party left the Galveston for the Navy Yard, their journey from the ship shadowed by darting tugs with photographers aboard.
Then a nineteen-gun salute indicated that the Russians were leaving the Mayflower on the Admiral's cutter. They were first greeted by local people in small boats. The Russians approached the dock on the barge that flew the American flag forward and the Russian aft. After Witte, then Rosen and the other Russians stepped ashore, their flag vanished so that the Japanese would not be affronted by seeing it on an American vessel.
Peirce and Mead greeted the Russians on the landing whereupon they all climbed the steps to pass through a receiving line of other yard officers. Escorted by Peirce, the Russians went to the conference building, ironically passing before the gun battery as it boomed its welcome to the Japanese. In all 76 guns were fired to salute both delegations.
The Japanese had arrived in Portsmouth aboard the Dolphin (left). Komura was the first Japanese delegate ashore, followed by Takahira and the rest of the Japanese who were greeted like the Russians and escorted to the peace building. There both parties were first introduced to Mrs. Mead and New Hampshire officials invited to the luncheon.
Below, left to right, all images from the Portsmouth Athenaeum collection:
The Japanese arrived at the shipyard dock in their electric-powered cutter.
The Japanese left the dock accompanied by Admiral Mead.
Below, left to right, all images from the Portsmouth Athenaeum collection:
The Japanese arrived at the shipyard dock in their electric-powered cutter.
The Japanese left the dock accompanied by Admiral Mead.
LEAVING THE NAVY YARD & WELCOMING PARADE
The New York Times reported that "the Russians and the Japanese got on famously at luncheon," and following a short period of conversation, the civilians left the building and the yard.
Protocol was again observed as the Russians left the building first, smiling broadly and smoking long cigars. Komura and Takahira waited while Witte and Rosen boarded a carriage for the trip to Portsmouth. As their carriage left, the Russians turned and lifted their silk hats to the Japanese who responded in the same way. Smoking even longer cigars and smiling more broadly, Komura and Takahira boarded their carriage. Escorted by the marines to the gate, the carriages moved slowly through the yard, and then speeded up as they passed along the streets of Kittery to the ferry. Many "country" people watched the procession but no one cheered.
On the Portsmouth side of the river, the New Hampshire officials were waiting along with the National Guard regiment and its band. Here Colonel Tetley officially informed Secretary Peirce, who had preceded the envoys across the river, that he was to escort the visitors through Portsmouth to the courthouse. Peirce, in an automobile, led the way through Portsmouth's crowded streets followed by Witte and Rosen in a landau and Komura and Takahira right behind in another carriage.
The procession traveled up Market Street to Market Square, down Congress Street to Middle Street then on to State Street to the courthouse, which was located on the site of the present Piscataqua Savings Bank parking lot. The New York Times reported, "The sidewalks were altogether too narrow to accommodate the crowds and the main streets were jammed from curb to curb. City women in beautiful gowns hurried through the mud in the streets and farmers rubbed elbows with spruce Bostonians." Women in charming costumes, the Times said, were very much in the majority.
Below images, left to right (all images from the Portsmouth Athenaeum collection):
Both delegations left Building 86 in carriages for the ride to Portsmouth for the reception at the Rockingham County Courthouse
En route from the shipyard to Portsmouth.
Witte, left, and Rosen riding through the streets of Portsmouth.
Komura, left, and Takahira in their landau en route to the reception.
Local people in their Sunday best lined the streets of Portsmouth watch the parade of dignitaries.
Protocol was again observed as the Russians left the building first, smiling broadly and smoking long cigars. Komura and Takahira waited while Witte and Rosen boarded a carriage for the trip to Portsmouth. As their carriage left, the Russians turned and lifted their silk hats to the Japanese who responded in the same way. Smoking even longer cigars and smiling more broadly, Komura and Takahira boarded their carriage. Escorted by the marines to the gate, the carriages moved slowly through the yard, and then speeded up as they passed along the streets of Kittery to the ferry. Many "country" people watched the procession but no one cheered.
On the Portsmouth side of the river, the New Hampshire officials were waiting along with the National Guard regiment and its band. Here Colonel Tetley officially informed Secretary Peirce, who had preceded the envoys across the river, that he was to escort the visitors through Portsmouth to the courthouse. Peirce, in an automobile, led the way through Portsmouth's crowded streets followed by Witte and Rosen in a landau and Komura and Takahira right behind in another carriage.
The procession traveled up Market Street to Market Square, down Congress Street to Middle Street then on to State Street to the courthouse, which was located on the site of the present Piscataqua Savings Bank parking lot. The New York Times reported, "The sidewalks were altogether too narrow to accommodate the crowds and the main streets were jammed from curb to curb. City women in beautiful gowns hurried through the mud in the streets and farmers rubbed elbows with spruce Bostonians." Women in charming costumes, the Times said, were very much in the majority.
Below images, left to right (all images from the Portsmouth Athenaeum collection):
Both delegations left Building 86 in carriages for the ride to Portsmouth for the reception at the Rockingham County Courthouse
En route from the shipyard to Portsmouth.
Witte, left, and Rosen riding through the streets of Portsmouth.
Komura, left, and Takahira in their landau en route to the reception.
Local people in their Sunday best lined the streets of Portsmouth watch the parade of dignitaries.
Governor McLane was waiting at the courthouse, standing in front of the judge's bench to welcome both parties. Peirce presented first Witte and Rosen then Komura and Takahira to the governor. In turn, the rest of the delegates were introduced then the Russians assembled on the governor's right and the Japanese on his left for a photograph, below. Following a short speech of welcome from McLane, the envoys left by automobile for the Wentworth.
At the Hotel Wentworth
At the hotel, over 500 guests filled the porch enthusiastically welcoming the procession. The warm greetings continued as the diplomats walked through the long lines of people to reach their rooms.
Witte was by far the most outgoing of the two chief envoys. He was quick to give an interview to a journalist or to speak with a guest while Komura informed the press that he would give no interviews, a policy he kept through the conference. As the representative of the country which had lost the battles, and which had roundly been called the aggressor in the war, Witte realized that he would be entering the negotiations with public opinion against him. He sought American favor from the outset and in his memoirs he recalled how he in fact purposefully solicited the American press to support his position.
On their first night at the Wentworth, the two delegations dined at separate tables in the hotel's main dining room. The Japanese were seated first and when the Russians came in later, neither group acknowledged the other. Later, the delegations separately walked the hotel's grounds and retired early in preparation for the opening session of the conference scheduled for the next day. Roosevelt had made no plans for the conduct of the negotiations so that evening Witte sent a note to Komura asking if the first meeting could be held the next day.
Images below, left to right:
Komura and other Japanese delegates walking outside the Wentworth. August 1905 Harper's Weekly
Komura at the Wentworth. The fireplace in the background is now in the hotel's lobby. Sept. 1905 Harper's Weekly
Baron Rosen and friends at the Wentworth. Sept. 1905 Harper's Weekly
At the hotel, over 500 guests filled the porch enthusiastically welcoming the procession. The warm greetings continued as the diplomats walked through the long lines of people to reach their rooms.
Witte was by far the most outgoing of the two chief envoys. He was quick to give an interview to a journalist or to speak with a guest while Komura informed the press that he would give no interviews, a policy he kept through the conference. As the representative of the country which had lost the battles, and which had roundly been called the aggressor in the war, Witte realized that he would be entering the negotiations with public opinion against him. He sought American favor from the outset and in his memoirs he recalled how he in fact purposefully solicited the American press to support his position.
On their first night at the Wentworth, the two delegations dined at separate tables in the hotel's main dining room. The Japanese were seated first and when the Russians came in later, neither group acknowledged the other. Later, the delegations separately walked the hotel's grounds and retired early in preparation for the opening session of the conference scheduled for the next day. Roosevelt had made no plans for the conduct of the negotiations so that evening Witte sent a note to Komura asking if the first meeting could be held the next day.
Images below, left to right:
Komura and other Japanese delegates walking outside the Wentworth. August 1905 Harper's Weekly
Komura at the Wentworth. The fireplace in the background is now in the hotel's lobby. Sept. 1905 Harper's Weekly
Baron Rosen and friends at the Wentworth. Sept. 1905 Harper's Weekly
