Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-09-02
QUESTION OF FoR1lFllA7IoN
Japs Understand That There Was 70
Be Mutual Agreement to Refrain
From Fortifyins-st. Petersburg
Takes Different View of Subject
VIII Probably Be Strengthened Out.
! tBy Associated prcss.)

PORTSMOUTH, n. H.. Sept. Il
The only possible hitch on the horizon
Of the peace conference. according to
reports current here, which however,
are not officially confirmed, arises out
of an evident misunderstanding over
the naturalization of the island of Sax
halin.
According to the Japanese tho un.
derstanding reached Oh Tuesday con-
templated mutual obligation on the
part of the two countries not to for
tify their respective possession on the
island.
At St Petersburg, however, there
seems to have been an assumption
that the agreement involved freedom
OF action upon the part Of Russia in
this respect in the north of Sakhalin,
with an obligation on the part of the
Japanese not to fortify or use for
strategic purposes the portion owned
by her before 1876. which is to be ret
roceded in the present treaty
1t Is said on this side, however. that
the hitch If 1t really exists, as reported
VIII shortly be Strengthened ont and it,
is believed that one of the subjects of
tonights conference related TO this
point.
The ENJOYS Confer.
AS result of the reports made to-
night by Mir. De Martens and MIR.
Dennison to their respective chiefs
upon their work this afternoon at the
navy yard, in the drafting of treaty
OF peace, Nj. Wittc and Baron Kumura
had brief conference in the formers
apartments at $50 tonight, regarding
some details OF translation and the
few points Of Interpretation upon
which the trainers had been unable to
reach complete accord.
When Baron Komura loft Mr.. Den
nison and MIR Adachi, he entered the
apartments of NJ. Witte. where they
were joined by Mr. De Martens and
Mr.. Planchon. This conference lasted
for about half an hour. when the Jan.
anese returned to Baron Koniura's
apartments, leaving NJ White and his
conferces, who remained in conference
for more than an hour.
No Trouble in Getting Together.
NJ. Witte and Baron Komura had no
difficulty in coming to an agreement
on the disputed points and at tomor-
rows session the trainers of the treaty
expect to complete their work. The
treaty must then be engrossed i'm
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. II now seems probable
that the trainers will be able to CON
Tine the treaty to fourteen articles in
stead of fifteen, as was tho original
plan.
The ceremony OF signing the treaty
VIII be as quiet and ostentatlous as
possible Both sides desire to avoid
any spectacular features. Both rca.
lie that, for different reasons, the
treaty will not be popular in their re-
spcctive countries. In Japan espe.
cially there is expected to be great
popular cutlery.
viii Be Unpopular In Japan.
I'VE know" said a member of the
japanese mission today, that we are
going home to stones and perhaps dy-
Mantle"
The treaty will be given to tho
world. There. is to be no secret about
it. neither government having any rca-
son to withhold. it. It's provisions are,
therefore, to be published broadcast
,ffeefSitnaallly, but not Immediately.
Mr. Sato said to the Associated
Press today that 1t would not be given
out until the final notifications had
been exchanged by the sovereigns Of
the two countries.
The treaty will be engrossed on the
n