Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-09-06
"TREATY OF kITTERY" SIGNED
CONTINUED from Page One.)

pire of Japan, we may with tranquil
conscience say that we have done all
that was in Our power in order to
bring about the peace for which the
whole civilized world was longing. As
plenipotentiaries of Russia. we fulfil a
most agreeable duty in acknowledging
that in negotiating with our hitherto
adversaries and from this hour our
friends, we have been dealing with
true and thorough gentlemen to whoiri
We are happy to express our hlgn es-
Iteem and personal regard. We earnest
Ilv hope that friendly relations between
the two empires will henceforth pc
lirmlv established and we trust that
lbis excellency, Baron komura, as MN
lister of foreign affairs and one or the
In. adine statesmen Of his country Will
annlv TO the strengthening of these
a,ations the wide experience and wise
.t,,esmanship he so conspicuously dis
nIayed during these negotiations which
Rave row been so auspiciously con-
cluded.'
| Raron Komura replied that he shared
entirely the views of Baron Rosen. The
treaty of peace which they had just
signed was in the interest of humanity
and civilization and he was happy to
believe that 1t would bring about Il
firm lasting peace between two neigh
boring empires. He added that 1t
would always be pleasant for him to
recall that throughout the long and
serious negotiations which they have
now left behind them. he and his col
league had invariably received from
the Russian plenipotentiaries the high
est courtesy and consideration ana
finally he begged to assure their eX-
cellencies the Russian plenipotent1arles
that it would be his duty as well as his
great pleasure to do everything III his
power to make the treaty in fact what
1t processes to be In words-a treaty Of
peace and amity.
A. the conclusion of Baron komura's
remarks. NJ. Witte arose and said he
desired to see Baron RoSen and the
japanese plenipotentiaries alone for a
few moments. The four retired to the
Russian office and were closeted for 10
minutes. What transpired in that fnal
conference of the peace makers the
world may never know. The plenlpo-
tentiaries have refused to discuss it
even to their secretaries.
While the conferenc" was in progress
| the secretaries were aftiXing the official
| seal to the treaty. there being four seals
| to each of the four copies. Upon their
return to the conference the plenipOten-
| tiaries then signed the protocol of their
last meeting, which records the signing
of the treaty Sept. 5, 1905, at 80, in the
Portsmouth navy yard.
bar paperl1 h1pl oh ak
ing and a buffet luncheon was served in
the cafe across the hall. the Russians and
Japanese informally drinking each others
| health. Shortly before o'clock. the Rus
| sian mission left the yard for the thanks
| giving service at Christ church and the
| Japanese returned to the hotel
| Seats had been reserved for the Rus
sians to the right of the center aisle. The
| body of the church was packed and im-
/ mense crowds lined the streets leading to
| the church. AS the crowds caught sight
| of NJ Witte they began 4 cheer that did
not die until he had passed into the
church. 1t was probably the greatest OF
the many ovations he has received since
ne came to this country. NJ Witte arose
in the automobile and bowed right and
left.
Soon after NJ. Witte and Baron Rosen
had been escorted by the assistant rector
| to seats on the chanccl the long process
sion entered headed by the crucifix with
| n gold professional cross. After the vest
ed choir of 10 voices came the rector of
Christ church, six Russian priests from
various parts of the United States. Rus
sian choir of selected voices from New
York and other cities. and Right Rev.
Henry c. Potter. bishop of New York.
Evensong was sung by the boys choir.
the rector reading as the lesson for the
| day the Sermon on the Mount. NJ. Witte
| and Baron Rosen stood throughout the
| American service. At the conclusion of
evenson. the Russian priest. Very Rev.
Alexander Hctovitsky. rector of st.
Nicholas cathedral, New York, went to
the altar and began the Russian TIE Deum
of thanksgiving. All the prayers were
specially selected for this service and
were beautifully chanted by the Russian
| choir.
After the prayer for the army, the pray
or for all those who lost their lives In
| the war was Chanted, the entire congre-
CATION knecling. As NJ WItte and other
| members OF the Russians arose at the
| conclusion of this prayer. their tears had
| not yet dried 1t was Il solemn and af-
| fccti1g moment, and although the Ameri-
| cans could not follow the service all
| seemed to feel the solemnity of this mo-
ment. The concluding prayer was for the
| health and prosperity of Emperor Mich
| olas and President Roosevelt. the first
time such prayer has ever been offered
in "A Russian service
Tho service closed with a brief adj
| dress by the priest to NJ. Witte and
Baron Rosen whom he eXtolled for their
work in bringing about peace. the
priest expressed the hope that the peo-
pie Of Russia and Japan row that the
war Is over. would draw near to each
other in all kindness of heart and do
their utmost to comfort the sorrows ot
the many who have lost their dear ones
in the conflict closed. today. The Rus
sian and American national hymns
were sung during the service which
lasted for an hour and Il nalf
The chancel and altar were banke !,
with flowers and many candles burned
on the alter. 1t was n memorials