The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Meyer.
Washington, June 26, 1905.
The President, in accordance with the communication from Count Lamsdorff, of the 25th,a has informed the Japanese Government that Russia consents to the meeting taking place, in the first ten days of August, but that the President hopes, if possible, the Japanese Government will arrange to have its envoys here on the 1st day of August, as he earnestly desires there shall be no delay. Inform Count Lamsdorff confidentially that the President understands that the Japanese Government have under consideration as their envoys Baron Komura, the secretary for foreign affairs, and Mr. Takahira, Japanese minister at Washington. The appointment of Baron Komura represents, of course, the very highest appointment that can be made by the Japanese Government, being equivalent, for instance, to the President appointing Secretary Hay under similar circumstances. The President is greatly gratified at it, for it shows that Japan is sending her best men with the earnest desire to arrange for peace. I have confidentially informed the Japanese Government that in all probability one of the Russian plenipotentiaries will be Nelidoff.