Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1905-09-09
Trainers Of Treaty Expected TO Finish
at ANY Moment.
A BRIEF CONFERENCE is HELD.
BY M. White and Baron komura to
straighten PossibIe Hitch-LittIe
Misunderstanding Regarding Neut-
raIization of Sakhalin.

Portsmouth n H, Sept 4.-The
only possible hitch of the peace con-
ference, according to reports current
here, which, however, are not Officially
confirmed, arises out of an evident
misunderstanding over the question
of the naturalization of the island of
Sakhalin. According to the Japanese,
the understanding reached on Tues
day contemplates a mutual obligation
on the part of the two countries not
to fortify their respective possessions
ever, there seems to have been an as
sumption that the agreemnt involved
freedom of action on the part of
Russia in this respect in the north of
Sakralin, with an obligation on the
part of Japan not to fortify or use for
Strategetic purposes the portion
owned by her before 1876, which is to
be retrOceded in the present treaty.
1t is believed on both sides, however,
ported, will shortly be Strengthened
out, and it is believed one of the sub
jects of tonight's conference related to
this point
The effect of the armistice conclud-
ed is that it becomes operative only
upon the signatures of the treaty by
the plenipotentiaries and continues
until the final exchange OF the ratifi-
cation of the enperors of the two
countries. 1t is for this reason that
the plenipotentiaries, who will them
selves convey. to their respective
capitals the momentous documents
which must receive the signatures of
their respective emperors, are anxi-
Gus to leave at the earliest possible
date, foregoing the ipnumerable invi-
tations which have been showered up
on them.
/; AS a result of the reports made by
Mr.. De Martens and Mr. Dennison to
their respective chiefs, upon their
work at the navy yard, in the drafting
of treaty of peace, Mr.. Witte and
Baron Komura had brief conference
in the formers apartments regarding
some details of translation and a few
points of Interpretation upon which
the trainers had been unable to
reach complete accord. When Baron
Komura left Mr.. Dennison and Mr.
Adachi, he entered the apartment of
Mr.. Witte, where they were joined by
Mr.. De Martens and Mr. Plancon
This conference lasted for about half
an hour, when the Japanese returned
to Baron Komura's apartments, leav-
ing Mr.. Witte and his conference, who
remained in conference for more than
an hour.
Mr.. White and Baron Komura had
| no difficulty in coming to an agree
ment on the disputed points and at
| tOmorrows session the trainers of the
treaty expect to complete their work.
| The treaty must then be engrossed
| in French and English, in duplicate,
which may take several days. 1t is
| stated tonight that twelve articles of
| the treaty have been completed and
agreed upon. 1t now seems probable
| that the trainers will be able to con-
| fine the treaty to fourteen articles in
stead of fifteen, as was the original
| plan.
| Mr.. Witte continues to receive mes
| sages of congratulatiOn from all over
| the world. He reads each one of them
and gives directions to his secretary
regarding the answers to be made.