The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-09-06

II was all very cut and dried. this sign
Ing OF the peace treaty that brought to
an end the greatest conflict OF modern
times. and those who participated In II
were apparently glad when II was through
and done with.
IL lacked IL minutes OF 4 o'clock yes
terday afternoon of-rain and sunshine
when the treaty OF Portsmouth was
officially concluded through the action OF
the plenipotentiaries Of Russia and Japan
in attaching their signatures and their
personal seals 20 the agreement that had
required Just four weeks 10 complete.
GUNS BOOM. BELLS RING.
A clerk at the state department at
Washington rushed out from the red
brick building where the ceremony had
taken place and announced the news 10
the group OF waiting newspaper cor
respondents. an enlisted man OF the
American navy waved a red flag 10 the
saluting battery 80 yeards away, n gun
crashed out, the bells OF the churches OF
Portsmouth pealed. and I'm quicker time
than It takes TO tell 1t, the news that the
bloody far eastern conflict was over was
spread broadcast throughout the civilized
world.
But il was a dlgnihed. II not solemn,
withal. Until Il had been COM
pleted there was enough OF anxiety and
suspense connected with Il TO keep up the
interest OF those who watched It's prog
ress. Yet everybody who was there In
the big gaunt hall where peace was made,
appreciated the Importance OF the occa-
sion, and forgot the surroundings In the
knowledge that a function OF historical
Importance was being performed and that
they were witnessing a scene never TO be
forgotten. There was more OF the spec
tacular perhaps than there was in the
modest library OF the White House on
that August day seven years ago. when
william Mckinley and Jules Cambon
signed the contract that brought the
spanish-American war to an end.
RUMORs OF DELAY.
The time set for the signing Of the peace
treaty was 3 o'clock. but that was merely
diplomatic careless1ess. II meant that
the final ceremonies were 10 he begun az
that hour. Even up TO the last minute
there were rumors that ~portended great
DELAY. Not until . o'clock was the pro-
tocol OF the last days session Of the peace
conference completed and signed. UntlI
this was lone this formal approving 81
the minutes Of the proceedings that ended
with the agreement Of the envoys upon
every point Of difference. was II possible
90 make the treat, perfect through at
taching the names and seals OF the sig
iato! les.
READY FOE LAST ACT.
The final protocol was attested by all
the ENJOYS I'm NJ Whites room at the
wentworth hotel before tho start for tho
conference hall was made. Then every
lcdy concerned hattened TO put the I'm
ishing touches TO his toilet and 10 hurry
away to do his part In the last great act
OF making peace.
Thse who had charge OF the ceremonies
were determined 90 make them ne formal
end a. specta ular as possible. no detail
was overlooked that would add TO the
iiluressiveuess Of he occasion.
Oflclals Of the American government
have never been furnished such an oppor-
tunity before and they made tho most ~
~. Long before tho hour for the nnal
se,ne 20 begin the marine battalion ~
tao Portsmouth navy ward had been turned
CIT looking smart and soldicrly. as the
nlprincs always do. whether IN action or
on parade. II was = fine appearing boiv
OF blu, uniformed Young Americans ihrt
stood ~ rest A. the vost side ~ the
pea. q building for 20 they cail n ~ov.
N Portsmouth. although officially - IL
known as the General Storage ware
house" cr No. ss" ~ tho Portsmouth navy
yard II may he worth white 10 repeat