The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-04
TREATY IS REAIY
FOR SIGNATURES
OF PEACE ENJOYS
Document Properly En-
crossed, and All OBJ
Stacles Removed.
FOUR THOUSAND WORDS
Exact Time for Completing
Details Has Not Yet Been
Decided Upon.
FOUR THOUSAND WORDS

up here by the envoys of Russia and
Japan has been engro3sed and is ready
for signing.
1t is now practically determined that
this function will be postponed until
tomorrow.
An official announcement Of the Fact
Is expected to be made shortly. A con-
ference is now IN progress. at which the
subject is under consideration
The Japanese are ready to sign this
afternoon. but the Russians are not 1t
ii also announced that the protocol of
last Tuesdays meeting will be signed
at the navy yard Just prior to the
signature Of the treaty.
As soon as the views on this point
are harmonized and the Russian and
japanese secretaries present Identical
drafts. the protocol will be signed at
once. With this work completed the
way is clear for the signing of the
treaty.
Mr.. Herata. for the japanese. and Mr..
Rogestvensky. for the Russians. who
had the work of engrossing the treaty
in charge. labored hard yesterday un-
I'll far into the night. getting it in shape
for final action. Both are fine penmen.
Contains Fifteen Articles.
The treaty consists of fifteen articles,
with lengthy preamble. Altogether
at rough estimate IL contains about
400 words. The engrossing has re-
quired the greatest nicely and exact
ness There are four pages of the
treaty upon each sheet of paper, and
mistake made. for instance on the
fourth page, would necess tate the re-
writing of the entire sheets. Each page
fc NJ dsa f-xsn 2 Of
which appears the French version, and
| in the other the English text.
The French version. in case of dis
pute will be the final one. Both the
Russians and Japanese. on their way
home, VIII prepare copies OF the treaty
in their own language. Extraordinary
precautions have been taken to prevent
the text of the treaty from becoming
public
Although expert cal graphers had been
called for from Washington by Assist
ant Secretary Peirce upon the requisi-
I tion OF the ENJOYS, il was decided at
the last moment to dispense with their
services. Inasmuch as the convention
is TO be kept secret until ratification by
the respective governments IL was
| deemed advisable to have the engross-
/ ing done by members OF the suites.
! lie treaty provides tndt Wllnln IllN
( days from the dete OF signature ratifica-
/ tons stall be exchanged by telegraph
This exchange Will be conducted through
Z the American ambassador in ST. Peters
I burg who Will notify the japanese
/ Cove -nlnert OF the Cars ratification,
| and by the French m mister in Tokyo.
who will notify the Russian government
| of the Mikado's ratification
Specially prepared official tape, red
. and white has been received through
the State Department and will be used
| in binding the pages together at the
upper left hand corner.
Without Ostentation.
The signing of the treaty will be with
out ostcntat.ous ceremony. 1t has been
arranged in addition 10 the ten envoys,
| there Will be present by invitation As
sIstant Secretary of State Peirce. who
represents the President; the governor
of New Hampshire MIR. McLane; Ad-
miral Mead commandant OF the Ports
mouth navy yard. and Captain WinsloW
OF the Mayfower. Ii has been decided
ti;at there shall be no photograph taken
OF TIE ceremony.
Unless there is change in the present
plans. the Russians Will hold a specia
thanksgiving service shortly after tbs
signing of the treaty. For this purpose
Christ Episcopal Church in Portsmouth
has been offered and there is I'm con
temptation the bringing here by spe
cial train from New York Russian
pr est and choir.
In the drafting of the treaty one of the
/. most bothersome questions was the ar
/ rancement of the details for the evacu
| alton Of Manchuri3. The JapaneS'
wanted Manchuria 10 be cleared %
, troops with the least possible delay bu
, the Russians pointed out that owing q
, the limited capacity of the railway anS
, the large army under command or Gen
erai Iinevitch considerable time would
necessarily have to be consumed befor'
: evacuation could be completed.
After consultation with the military
authorities IL was finally agreed tina
, complete evacuation should be effecte'
r within a maximum OF eighteen months
from the date the treaty goes into enect
! Both governments agreed 10 begin tn
|, operation OF removing their troops i'm
! mediately after the treaty Is ratified
) and 10 use every possible effort 10 com
r plete the operation with as little della!
- as possible.
, The japanese, having greater facilitie
. than the Russians and being nearer thei
, base. will require less time than tn
Russians, but the japanese VIII un
: Goubtcdly reduce their army IN abou
: the same proportion as the russians
! TIE sooner the armies are dtsbande'
) and the men returned 10 their forne
! occupation the sooner Japan can de
! crease her military expenditures
Russia's Railway Guards.
Another question that gave rise {
r long discussion was the number or rail
2 way guards Russia is to be pcrmitte
D to retain IN Manchuria to protect he
r,o.-. .ho of Chime