Show SAY RUSSIA FIRST ASKED FOR SECRECY portsmouth N H aug 13 aba japanese version of origin and history of tho decision of the to observe the strictest secrecy regarding the proceedings of the peace conference con ferenc differs materially from the russian from an authoritative jap associated press Is informed that secrecy was one of the conditions preliminarily arranged between the or ano iwo countries at washington before the pleni aries arrived in this country one of the chief reasons advanced by count cassiel for not desiring to have tho conference held in washington was that public sentiment in america was hostile to the russians and that the proceedings could not be kept out of the therefore h insisted it the conference was to be held in the united states it was essential that the most rigid secrecy be observed the matter was the subject of an exchange of views between count casalena and mr Ta kahira conducted through a medium which Is not disclosed as a result of which secrecy was agreed upon as a condition precedent to the conference moreover Move over said this authority tho rity all international precedent and usage favored the nilo of secrecy it would be manifestly improper for a great international issue to be tried in the newspapers day by day and hour by hour publicity would necessarily hamper and harass the negotiations in the peace conference at paris during the spanish american war that rule obtained and it was not until some after the conference adjourned that the proceedings become public but in view of the worldwide interest the enterprise of tho american journalist mr lra decided that it would be proper to make to tho press at such times ns were deemae advisable brief formal statements agreed to by both sides all other statements published wore lo 10 ba considered unauthenticated it was to secure the possibility of secrecy that the united states placed at the disposal of the plenipotentiaries tho building on a government reservation where the entrance could be cleared it would be considered remarkable it mr watte was not apprised before arrival at portsmouth of this preliminary agreement as to secrecy entered into upon the particular ug festoon of count cassiel at any rate the question was raised by our plenipotentiaries at the first session of the conference he assented and has not since protested |