The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-06
FINS WRITTEN
ON THE SCROLLS
The Treaty of Portsmouth
is Signed.
SEVENTEEN ARTICLES
The Convention Between the Two
Countries is Now Given in Full.
Its Ratification Must be Coun-
tersigned by the Sovereigns
Within Fifty Days.
tBylthe Associated Press.) }

Portsmouth, n. H., Sept. 5.-The
peace treaty was signed today stimuli
tancously by the Russian and Japan
ese plenipotentiaries. Mr.. Witte and
Baron komura signed at the same
time, one of each of the originals
tween the two principals, Baron de
Roscn and NJ. Tai<ahira followed
signing i'm the same way.
The treaty Of peace between Russia
and>Japan was signed by the represen-
tatives of the two empires at 7:47 p
m, today. On the instant of the
contamination of the great his torical
act, a salute was fired at the Unite
States navy yard on Kfttery Point.
Mr.. Witte, accompanied by Baron
DeRosen and Mr.. Planchon, left the
hotel for the navy yard at 2:30 p. m.
The rain which had been falling in
torrents for half an hour previous ia
this time suddenly ceased and the sun,
which had not been visible for three
days shone forth.
Baron Komura, Minister Takahira
and Mr.. Dennison, the legal adviser OF
the. Japanese ENJOYS left at 2:4S in an
automobile for the navy yard. They
were greeted by the guests of the ho-
tel gathered on the Varanda to witness
their departure. Bishop Henry G.
Potter. of New York, was among the
number
Baron komura, pointing at the sun
said smiling: "It is a good omen for
peace"
Baron Komura had been preceded
by another motor car which carrie
Mr.. Sato and the Japanese secretaries
taking their copy of the peace treaty
in a large black leather portfolio.
Arrival at Navy Yard.
Both Russian and Japanese missions
on their arrival at the navy yard were
received at the entrance of the build
ing by Admiral Mead while two COM
panies of marines commanded by Ma
ior Moses rendered military honors.
Tile copy of the treaty of peace
brought to the navy yard had beel
carefully compared by the secretaries
of the two missions in order to avoid
the necessity of reading them before
the signing at which personages ex'
traneous to the negotiations assisted
When the secretaries has ascertained
the perfect xactnss of the two copies
of the treaty the plenipotentiaries and
and the other members of the two
missions enterd the conferenc hall ac-
companied by Assistant Secretary
Peirce. Governor McLane. Admiral
Mead and the Mayor of Portsmouth
Mr. Witte, the chief of the Russian
plenipotentiaries. was the first to sigr
his name to the treaty After th'
ceremonies of the signing of the
treaty. Baron De Rosen delivered {
short speech pointing out the impor-
tance of the present event and the
influence it will have in the relations
between the two countries. He ended
by expressing the satisfaction he fell
at the good returns which have char
acterized the work of the plenipoten'
tiaries. Baron komura replied as
paraphrasing Baron De Rosen's speech
and expressed his thanks for the KIND
words addressed to himself and to the
members of his mission.
The entire Russian mission, headed
by Mr.. Witte, attended thanksgiving
service celebrated in Christ Episcopa
church both by American and Russian
clergymen.
Re-entering the hotel. one of the
chief members of the japanese mis-
sion said:
THE treaty signed today may Dc
the most important historical feature
of the twentieth century.