The sun., 1905-09-04
ENGROSSING PEACE TREATY.
ENJOYS WILL SIGN WHEN COPIES
ARE READY, PERHAPS TO-DAY.
Secretary Peirce. as RoOsevelts Repro.
sentative, Gov. McLane and Naval
Omcers At Portsm outh to witness
the Cerem Ony-Plans for Ratification.

Onicers at Portsm outh to witness
the Cerem ony--Plans for Ratification.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Sept. s.-The treaty
Of Portsmouth, providing for lasting
peace between Russia and Japan, was
completed in every detail tonight after
conference for the purpose OF comparison
and verbal amendment that lasted all day.
Prof. Martens, the Russian treaty ex-
pert, declared when the conference was
over that there was a strong probability
that the act Of signing would take place
tomorrow afternoon. Mr.. Witte and Mr..
Takahira are not 30 hopeful. They believe
that the closing scene in the peace negotia-
tions will not occur until Tuesday or until the
work Of making the signature copies Is
done.
Before the treaty can be signed, 1t will
be necessary for the ENJOYS to approve
the protocol OF their last sitting. The
Japanese draft of this protocol did not
reach the Russians until this evening. and
1t was explained that IL any changes were
suggested by Mr.. Witte the signing OF
the treaty might be delayed.
Both the Russian and the Japanese ENJOYS
decided to-day that they would not take
advantage of the services of the expert
penmen sent here by the State Department
to make the signature copies OF the con-
vention. This was precautionary meas
ure, the explanation being that the treaty
Is a secret document that does not pertain
to any foreign Government or any OF its
representatives or citizens. Mr. Rojestven-
sky, second secretary Of the Russian Lega-
ton at Pekin, who Is here, will make the
Russian copies, and Mr.. Otchai Of the
Japanese mission will prepare the official
copies for his Government.
The parchment upon which the engross-
ing is being done was furnished by the
State Department. 1t has broad red line
forming q border around each sheet OF
parchment, with a margin OF about four
inches When Mr.. Witte saw the red
border he did not like it and said he pre-
ferred parchment that was not ornamented
in that way. But he was persuaded that
the red line was customary and consented
to its use. Besides, there was not any
other parchment available, and MIR. Witte
will take no chances on delay in completing
his work here. He Is too anxious to get
away from Portsmouth.
Under the terms OF the treaty the rati-
flcation by the Emperors Of Japan and
Russia must take place within fifty days
of the signing.
1t is promised that notification Of the
ratification shall be communicated in this
manner: Upon the approval Of the treaty
by the Emperor Of Japan the French Min
ieter at Toxic, who Is caring for Russian
interests in japan during the period Of the
war, viii notify the Government Of Russia.
A. - HA lprv Aha
Emperor Of Russia, the United States Am
bassador at st. Petersburg. who Ia in charge
Of Japanese interests in Russia during
the period of the war, will notify the Gov
eminent Of Japan.
The treaty is to become effective when it
has been ratified by the two Emperors.
The date OF the exchange OF ratifications
will have no bearing on the beginning OF
peace. Hostihties are to be suspended
as soon as the treaty has been signed.
But the armies Of the belligerents are not
to retire from their present positions until
the treaty has been ratified. The evacua-
ton Of Manchuria will take place within
a fixed period thereafter. The return Of
prisoners will not occur until ratification
has been given to the treaty.
Arrangements have already been COM
pleted by the Russian Government with
the North German Lloyd Steamship Com
pany to carry to Russia the $4,000 soldiers
and sailors Of the Cars forces who are
held as prisoners Of war by the Japanese.
These will be taken home by the Suez route.
About 1000 will be carried on each ship.
Mr.. Witte, Baron Rosen and the members
Of the Russian mission expect to leave
here for New York Immediately after the
treaty has been signed. The Japanese are
in no hurry to get away. A notice was
posted In the Wentworth to-day that they
would receive the guests Of the hotel to-
morrow night. They announce that they
will not accept any invitations. 1t is their
intention to sail from Seattle about Sept 20.
MIR. Witte and Baron Rosen will probably
attend the Metropolitan Club dinner in
New York that has been proposed in their
honor. Mr.. Witte said to-day that he
intended going to Chicago, II he spent only
a few hours there. AS has been said in
THE SUN, he will also visit Niagara Falls
and will sail from New York for Europe
on Sept. ~.
Arrangements for the ceremony Of signing
the treaty were made to-day. 1t will take
place in the conference room at the Ports
mouth Navy Yard, and in addition to the
ENJOYS and the members Of their suites.
the only witnesses will be Gov McLane OF
New Hampshire, Rear Admiral Mead,
commandant of the Portsmouth Navy Yard;
Commander Winslow Of the Mayfower and
the commanders OF such other naval
vessels as may be at the yard at the
time and Herbert H. D. Peiroe, President
Roosayelt's reprsSentatiye
A heavy northeaster with a steady down
pour Of rain kept everybody at the Vent
worth indoors to-day. The ENJOYS left
their apartments only for meals. They did
not participate in the conferences over the
phraseology Of the treaty. These took
place in the room OF Prof. Martens.
CAUGHT by NEW AUTO Law.