the principals
Whenever two or more men come together to do business on the principle of give and take, the personal character of the negotiators is an important element in the transaction.
-- E. J. Dillon, "Sergius Witte and Jutaro Komura," Harper's Weekly, August 26, 1905.
-- E. J. Dillon, "Sergius Witte and Jutaro Komura," Harper's Weekly, August 26, 1905.
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E. J. Dillon, the chief Russian correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph, a friend of Witte, and one of the leading journalists covering the peace conference, was describing Sergius Witte and Jutaro Komura when he wrote the above words. He knew that while issues dominate any type of negotiations, it is the people involved who determine the success or failure. Dillon described the delegates as “ . . . two men who are in almost every respect as unlike each other as any two cultured human beings could be: in physical build, stature, gait, mode of thought and styles of expression. Sergius Witte, the envoy of the Tsar, is tall and powerful; Komura, the plenipotentiary of the Mikado, is undersized and frail. The one strides like a giant, the other steps forward like a lad, his right hand holding his hat and his left hand buried in his trousers pocket. Witte is a rough-hewn piece of humanity, through whose fiber some of the primary soul-forces shine, while Komura’s texture is marked by the opaqueness of the professional diplomatist.”
Witte and Komura were the primary individuals charged with the responsibility for reaching a peaceful settlement, but they alone could not have made the treaty possible. Diplomats, politicians, financiers, businessmen, spiritual leaders, military officers, journalists, and, surprisingly, average citizens participated in varying roles to achieve a conclusion that satisfied the needs of two diverse nations. |
The principal characters in the drama of the Portsmouth Peace Conference. Harper's Weekly.
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japan Jutaro Komura. Harper's Weekly.
Komura
To represent the Japanese position, Foreign Minister Jutaro Komura and Minister to the United States Kogoro Takahira were selected by Prime Minister Katsura. Komura had repeatedly tried to reach an agreement with Russia over Manchuria and Korea, but when that failed, he was instrumental in creating the alliance with England. He represented Japan as foreign minister throughout the war. A Harvard Law School, graduate, Komura was an experienced and determined statesman who had served as minister to Seoul, Beijing, Washington, and St. Petersburg. After leaving Portsmouth, Komura was sent to China to negotiate the Peking Treaty of November 1905. For his service to Japan in negotiating these treaties and the renewed Anglo-Japanese Alliance he was made a count. Komura was born in Nichinan, which became Portsmouth’s Japanese Sister City in 1985. Dillon wrote, “Baron Komura …enables one to realize that the diplomatist is born, not made. For although a jurist by education and a translator by profession, he is a diplomatist par excellence—a diplomatist endowed with a mind of large compass and considerable depth, the workings of which no man can guess from his seemingly unguarded looks or unweighed language. He is celebrated in his own country for the marvelous control he possesses over his emotions. So entirely are his facial muscles under the sway of his will that they remain perfectly impassive under conditions that would try the self-reliance of a philosopher. ...As Baron Komura is famous for those qualities among a people who possess them in high degree, it is evident that he must be gifted with them superlatively.” |
Jutaro Komura and Kogoro Takahira. Harper's Weekly.
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Takahira
Minister Takahira, was second in command of the delegation, and was its public face in the community. He played a role in the discussions, often met privately with the Russians to arrange meetings and to work out other details and participated in informal gatherings with the hosts.
Kaneko
Kentaro Kaneko was one of the first two Japanese students to enroll at Harvard. He graduated from the law school in 1874 and was a classmate of Theodore Roosevelt, although they never met at that time. Kaneko was the primary author of the Meiji Constitution. Because of his college ties with Roosevelt, he was sent to Washington at the outbreak of the war to develop pro-Japanese support and to foster Roosevelt’s effort to persuade Russians to negotiate for peace. During the negotiations, Kaneko continued to meet with the president and to influence back channel diplomatic efforts.
Denison
Henry W. Denison was sent to Japan in 1870 as vice consul to the American consulate, but soon after the Japanese government appointed him as legal advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a position he held for thirty-three years. A native of Lancaster, New Hampshire, he was a member of the Japanese delegation at Portsmouth and prepared the final draft of the treaty, along with Theodore de Martins, his Russian counterpart. Denison also drafted the Japanese government’s positions for the 1894 Sino-Japanese Treaty and the 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance agreement.
Minister Takahira, was second in command of the delegation, and was its public face in the community. He played a role in the discussions, often met privately with the Russians to arrange meetings and to work out other details and participated in informal gatherings with the hosts.
Kaneko
Kentaro Kaneko was one of the first two Japanese students to enroll at Harvard. He graduated from the law school in 1874 and was a classmate of Theodore Roosevelt, although they never met at that time. Kaneko was the primary author of the Meiji Constitution. Because of his college ties with Roosevelt, he was sent to Washington at the outbreak of the war to develop pro-Japanese support and to foster Roosevelt’s effort to persuade Russians to negotiate for peace. During the negotiations, Kaneko continued to meet with the president and to influence back channel diplomatic efforts.
Denison
Henry W. Denison was sent to Japan in 1870 as vice consul to the American consulate, but soon after the Japanese government appointed him as legal advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a position he held for thirty-three years. A native of Lancaster, New Hampshire, he was a member of the Japanese delegation at Portsmouth and prepared the final draft of the treaty, along with Theodore de Martins, his Russian counterpart. Denison also drafted the Japanese government’s positions for the 1894 Sino-Japanese Treaty and the 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance agreement.
Emperor Meiji
Prince Mutsuhito became emperor in 1868 at the age of 15. His coronation as the 122nd Emperor of Japan began the national revolution known as the Meiji (enlightened government) Restoration that ended the Tokugawa shogunate, unified the government, and transformed the country into a westernized industrial and military power. The emperor became more of a revered figurehead than a political leader and he left the affairs of state to the elder statesmen and military leaders, unlike the Russian tsar who took command both of the war and the peace negotiations. Emperor Meiji remained at the palace during the war and followed reports from the battlefronts. At one point, the imperial chamberlain reported the Emperor expressed concern about the siege of Port Arthur. The Emperor observed: “Nogi’s a good general but the way he kills soldiers is really upsetting.” One of the Japanese heroes of the war, General Maresuke Nogi had attacked Port Arthur at great cost. Tens of thousands lost their lives, including two of Nogi’s sons.
After the war, Nogi wrote a poem that expressed shame over “a mountain of corpses.” It was in the nature of an apology to the Emperor for the price paid for victory, the loss of so many of His Majesty’s “children.” When they learned of the death of Emperor Meiji, both General Nogi and his wife committed suicide. He was re-enacting the ancient samurai rite of following his master to the grave. Nogi’s act also reflected a reverence for Japan’s ancient traditions symbolized in the Emperor.
Below, left to right:
Kogoro Takahira
Kentaro Keneko. C. B. Doleac collection
Henry W. Denison. State of New Hampshire
Prince Mutsuhito became emperor in 1868 at the age of 15. His coronation as the 122nd Emperor of Japan began the national revolution known as the Meiji (enlightened government) Restoration that ended the Tokugawa shogunate, unified the government, and transformed the country into a westernized industrial and military power. The emperor became more of a revered figurehead than a political leader and he left the affairs of state to the elder statesmen and military leaders, unlike the Russian tsar who took command both of the war and the peace negotiations. Emperor Meiji remained at the palace during the war and followed reports from the battlefronts. At one point, the imperial chamberlain reported the Emperor expressed concern about the siege of Port Arthur. The Emperor observed: “Nogi’s a good general but the way he kills soldiers is really upsetting.” One of the Japanese heroes of the war, General Maresuke Nogi had attacked Port Arthur at great cost. Tens of thousands lost their lives, including two of Nogi’s sons.
After the war, Nogi wrote a poem that expressed shame over “a mountain of corpses.” It was in the nature of an apology to the Emperor for the price paid for victory, the loss of so many of His Majesty’s “children.” When they learned of the death of Emperor Meiji, both General Nogi and his wife committed suicide. He was re-enacting the ancient samurai rite of following his master to the grave. Nogi’s act also reflected a reverence for Japan’s ancient traditions symbolized in the Emperor.
Below, left to right:
Kogoro Takahira
Kentaro Keneko. C. B. Doleac collection
Henry W. Denison. State of New Hampshire
russia
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Witte
The Tsar’s first two choices as First Plenipotentiary for the conference declined the appointments, claiming illness. Russia’s military defeat embarrassed the monarchy and jeopardized its future, and many people felt the delegates would become scapegoats for the defeat. The Tsar at last turned to Sergius Witte, ironically the man who had worked diligently to forge an agreement with Japan over spheres of influence in Manchuria and Korea that could have prevented the war. The other plenipotentiary selected was Baron Roman Rosen. Educated as an engineer, Witte went into railroading and rose to the director of the department of railway affairs in the finance ministry. Impressed with Witte’s skills Tsar Alexander II appointed him Russia’s finance minister in 1892. During Witte’s tenure Russia achieved unprecedented economic growth. When Nicholas became tsar in 1894 he continued to work with the extremely accomplished Witte. Over time Nicholas found Witte arrogant and disliked Witte’s rising power and authority so in August 1903 Nicholas promoted Witte to chairman of the committee of ministers, a position of relatively little importance. When others declined to accept the position as the chief envoy to the peace conference, Nicholas reluctantly appointed Witte. In describing the tall Russian, Dillon wrote, “Into Witte’s judgment emotion enters as readily as sap into leafage. He is no mere theorizer, but a daring experimentalist, who sometimes pays a high price for the knowledge he acquires at the school of experience. He breaks through mere distractions as a bird through a web. Hence in a debate he never contents himself with hurtling one argument against another. It is his aim—an aim in which he is not always successful—to put himself in the place of his opponent, to show how the hostile argument first originated and what the conditions are that vitiated at its source. But however ruthlessly he may crush an opinion, he is never pitiless to an enemy. For with acumen and resourcefulness he combines genuine kindness and can descry in bad deeds good, or at any rate, an indifferent motive.” Rosen The Russian ambassador to the United States, Baron Roman Rosen was also a former ambassador to Japan and had attempted to prevent the conflict. |
Sergius Witte and Baron Roman Rosen. Harper's Weekly.
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Tsar Nicholas
Tsar Nicholas, the good natured, but enigmatic leader of Russia, was a puzzle to most who knew him. He ruled by his belief in divine right and was determined to preserve his autocracy, a position that cost his own life and that of his family in 1918. When Nicholas reached his 22nd birthday, his parents decided it was time for their son to see the world. He embarked on a grand tour that included stops in the major capitals of Europe and then on to the Orient. The voyage was abruptly cut short in Otsu (near Kyoto), Japan. While Nicholas was riding in a rickshaw, a crazed Japanese constable wielding a sword attacked the young visitor on the head. Some historians believe Nicholas, who forever bore a scar of reminder, held an unfriendly opinion of the Japanese as a consequence. But Nicholas later dismissed the assassination attempt as “the work of a fanatic.” The incident did not diminish his interest in the Orient and what he later came to believe Russia’s “Holy Mission” to expand its influence into the Pacific region. Despite the war losses, Nicholas was concerned with maintaining Russia’s dignity as a great power, even at the risk of continuing the war. He had to be convinced by his advisors that a peaceful settlement was in his, and Russia’s, best interests.
Tsar Nicholas, the good natured, but enigmatic leader of Russia, was a puzzle to most who knew him. He ruled by his belief in divine right and was determined to preserve his autocracy, a position that cost his own life and that of his family in 1918. When Nicholas reached his 22nd birthday, his parents decided it was time for their son to see the world. He embarked on a grand tour that included stops in the major capitals of Europe and then on to the Orient. The voyage was abruptly cut short in Otsu (near Kyoto), Japan. While Nicholas was riding in a rickshaw, a crazed Japanese constable wielding a sword attacked the young visitor on the head. Some historians believe Nicholas, who forever bore a scar of reminder, held an unfriendly opinion of the Japanese as a consequence. But Nicholas later dismissed the assassination attempt as “the work of a fanatic.” The incident did not diminish his interest in the Orient and what he later came to believe Russia’s “Holy Mission” to expand its influence into the Pacific region. Despite the war losses, Nicholas was concerned with maintaining Russia’s dignity as a great power, even at the risk of continuing the war. He had to be convinced by his advisors that a peaceful settlement was in his, and Russia’s, best interests.
united states
After Japan’s defeat of China in 1894, the European powers acted in consort to deny the island nation the gains it had sought and that were guaranteed by treaty. Komura was determined that no third parties would again interfere with their negotiations. By 1905, most European nations were aligned by treaty or inclination with either Russia or Japan so a neutral country was needed to bring the belligerents to the peace table. Enter the United States and Theodore Roosevelt.
Roosevelt
The American president, though privately favoring the Japanese, was concerned with the balance of power in the Far East. Because of Russian expansion and European spheres of influence in China, Roosevelt wanted a neutral China and he feared the war might expand into a larger conflict that would threaten America’s interests. Roosevelt’s back channel efforts during the war and the treaty negotiations were critical to the achievement of peace.
Left, Theodore Roosevelt.
Peirce
Since the Russians and the Japanese insisted on direct negotiations without a third party present, Roosevelt remained at the summer White House. Herbert H. D. Peirce, third under secretary of state, represented Roosevelt and hosted the delegates outside the formal negotiations. Peirce and the Navy handled protocol, the latter a delicate task for they were most successful.
Meyer
George von Lengerke Meyer was handpicked by Roosevelt as United States Ambassador to Russia. He hand-carried Roosevelt’s suggestions and messages directly to the Tsar.
Schiff
Jacob H. Schiff was the most prominent American Jewish financier of his day. The Japanese were unable to get war loans because as a newly emerged nation they were largely unknown and they were facing Russia, the largest army in the world. Schiff, appalled at the Russian treatment of the Jews, backed large loans to support the Japanese war effort, and was instrumental in blocking American financing for Russia in the war. Schiff told the Japanese that as a banker he could not loan them any money. As a Jew he would arrange for their loan, but “You have to defeat Russia.” He later urged Japan make peace.
Below, left to right:
Herbert H. D. Peirce. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
George von Lengerke Meyer
Jacob H. Schiff.
Roosevelt
The American president, though privately favoring the Japanese, was concerned with the balance of power in the Far East. Because of Russian expansion and European spheres of influence in China, Roosevelt wanted a neutral China and he feared the war might expand into a larger conflict that would threaten America’s interests. Roosevelt’s back channel efforts during the war and the treaty negotiations were critical to the achievement of peace.
Left, Theodore Roosevelt.
Peirce
Since the Russians and the Japanese insisted on direct negotiations without a third party present, Roosevelt remained at the summer White House. Herbert H. D. Peirce, third under secretary of state, represented Roosevelt and hosted the delegates outside the formal negotiations. Peirce and the Navy handled protocol, the latter a delicate task for they were most successful.
Meyer
George von Lengerke Meyer was handpicked by Roosevelt as United States Ambassador to Russia. He hand-carried Roosevelt’s suggestions and messages directly to the Tsar.
Schiff
Jacob H. Schiff was the most prominent American Jewish financier of his day. The Japanese were unable to get war loans because as a newly emerged nation they were largely unknown and they were facing Russia, the largest army in the world. Schiff, appalled at the Russian treatment of the Jews, backed large loans to support the Japanese war effort, and was instrumental in blocking American financing for Russia in the war. Schiff told the Japanese that as a banker he could not loan them any money. As a Jew he would arrange for their loan, but “You have to defeat Russia.” He later urged Japan make peace.
Below, left to right:
Herbert H. D. Peirce. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection.
George von Lengerke Meyer
Jacob H. Schiff.
portsmouth & portsmoouth navy yARD
Admiral Mead
Rear Admiral William Mead, commandant of the shipyard, had the critical responsibility of hosting the negotiations, preparing the conference room, and ensuring the correct protocols extended to both parties. With just four days' notice, Mead organized some 200 workman who built the conference facilities in the general stores building. Mead was invited, along with the commanders of the Mayflower and the Dolphin, to witness the treaty signing.
(Left) Rear Admiral William Mead. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard collection.
Hosts
Overlooked in the analysis of the Russo-Japanese War and the resulting peace conference is the important role performed by the hosts in New Hampshire and Maine. For about thirty days, the local people of the small city and surrounding rural communities welcomed the delegations and the hundreds of reporters, government officials, and other visitors drawn to the event. The relaxed informal social atmosphere proved conducive to support the serious formal discussions behind the closed doors of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Governor John McLane
New Hampshire Governor John McLane invited the delegates to meet in New Hampshire, an offer accepted by Roosevelt and approved by Japan and Russia. Throughput the negotiations he participated in many social events for delegates and witnessed the signing of the treaty.
Mayor Marvin
Portsmouth Mayor William E. Marvin presided over a hospitable city and was rewarded with a place in the room when the treaty was signed.
Judge Page
Calvin Page, Portsmouth lawyer, judge, and mayor, was the trustee of the estate of Frank Jones, owner of the Hotel Wentworth where both delegations were housed free of charge.
Local People
Local people, although in awe of their visitors from such distant lands, remained respectful, allowing members of each delegation to stroll easily through the city and to visit outlying sites at Little Harbor and Manchester, and Eliot, Kittery, and York, Maine. At numerous events, the local hosts encouraged the delegates to continue their efforts for peace during the times when formal negotiations were delayed because the peace process was breaking down over apparently irreconcilable issues.
Below, left to right:
NH Governor John McLane. State of New Hampshire.
William E. Marvin, Mayor of Portsmouth NH.
Judge Calvin Page.
Rear Admiral William Mead, commandant of the shipyard, had the critical responsibility of hosting the negotiations, preparing the conference room, and ensuring the correct protocols extended to both parties. With just four days' notice, Mead organized some 200 workman who built the conference facilities in the general stores building. Mead was invited, along with the commanders of the Mayflower and the Dolphin, to witness the treaty signing.
(Left) Rear Admiral William Mead. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard collection.
Hosts
Overlooked in the analysis of the Russo-Japanese War and the resulting peace conference is the important role performed by the hosts in New Hampshire and Maine. For about thirty days, the local people of the small city and surrounding rural communities welcomed the delegations and the hundreds of reporters, government officials, and other visitors drawn to the event. The relaxed informal social atmosphere proved conducive to support the serious formal discussions behind the closed doors of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Governor John McLane
New Hampshire Governor John McLane invited the delegates to meet in New Hampshire, an offer accepted by Roosevelt and approved by Japan and Russia. Throughput the negotiations he participated in many social events for delegates and witnessed the signing of the treaty.
Mayor Marvin
Portsmouth Mayor William E. Marvin presided over a hospitable city and was rewarded with a place in the room when the treaty was signed.
Judge Page
Calvin Page, Portsmouth lawyer, judge, and mayor, was the trustee of the estate of Frank Jones, owner of the Hotel Wentworth where both delegations were housed free of charge.
Local People
Local people, although in awe of their visitors from such distant lands, remained respectful, allowing members of each delegation to stroll easily through the city and to visit outlying sites at Little Harbor and Manchester, and Eliot, Kittery, and York, Maine. At numerous events, the local hosts encouraged the delegates to continue their efforts for peace during the times when formal negotiations were delayed because the peace process was breaking down over apparently irreconcilable issues.
Below, left to right:
NH Governor John McLane. State of New Hampshire.
William E. Marvin, Mayor of Portsmouth NH.
Judge Calvin Page.
