Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-01
HALTED IN THE FIELD
Armistice Between japanese
and Russian Armies.
SIGNED AT NOON TODAY
PLENIPoTENTIARIEs MEET I'M
KoMURA'S ROOM.
Secrecy Surrounded Movements Of
Envoys-An Unusual Agree
ment Reached.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
PORTSMOUTH, n. H, September IAN
armistice was signed by the peace plenipo-
tentiaries of Japan and Russia In Baron
komura's apartments in the Hotel Went
worth here today. The signatures were af-
fixed to the document a few minutes before
noon. The greatest secrecy surrounded the
meeting. and an hour after the armistice
had been signed Mr.. Sato. the official
sp pokesman of the japanese party was
standing about the lobby assuring inquirers
that the signing of the document was i'm
minent, that II might. in fact. be signed be-
fore night The official bulletin was late In
coming. Minister Takahira, however, a few
minutes after noon admitted that the sig
natures had been affixed. and NJ Plancon
OF the Russian party, to whom the task OF
drawing up the papers had been assigned.
said that he had carried them to the plen-
ipotentiaries, and that each had signed his
name.
An Unusual Agreement.
The agreement upon the terms OF the
armfstice is most unusual and was not
reached until after some argument. The
armistice, in fact, does not go into effect
until after the formal treaty of peace has
been signed. 1t Is understood, however,
that hostilitfes are to cease Immediately
although the lines In the field will remain
in their present position until the armistice
formally takes effect after the signing OF
the treaty. The Japanese Insisted on this
demand although the Russians were at
first inclined to hold out for the customary
procedure in such matters.
What" the Russians asked, rs the use
Of an armistice after a treaty of peace has
been formally completed?"
eXDldna be sics-
ence of the japanese on this point that
they would not be willing to concede until
the last moment that peace is indeed as
sured Slight as are the chances of any
hitch in the negotiations at this time they
are taking chances whatever. They
feel it is said, that IL they should break
their lines the war sentiment at st. Peters,
burg might gain sufficient strength to.
cause trouble,
Agreed to Demand.
After few minutes argument the Rus-
sian ENJOYS agreed to the demand OF
Baron Komura and Minister Takahira and
the conference broke up at 12:15 O'Clock.
NJ. Plancon was at work drafting the
armistice all the morning. He showed some
surprise when he learned that the fact that
he was working upon it had leaked out. He
completed his task shortly after IL o'clock.
and informed NJ. Witte and Baron Rosen,
who were waiting in their rooms In the
| Annex, and Baron Komura and Minister
Takahira. Baron Komura had been seen in
his rooms few minutes before. He ap-
peared to be in a good humor. but refused
to talk about the situation. II am very
busy this morning" he said.
Mr.. Sato announced this afternoon that
the armistice had been signed at ll:3o
o'clock 1t was at this time that the four
ENJOYS met In Baron <omura's room. As
they DID not leave until after II o'clock.
the inference Is that the discussion or the
main point as to when the treaty was TO go
into effect had caused some trouble.
Baron Rosen, when he left the room, hao
nothing to say.
Takahira Talks.
Minister Takahira, however, paused long
enough to say: The armistice has been
signed"
when does it go into effect?" he was
asked.
Not until the formal treaty of peace
has been signed"
'Is not that unusual?'
Some of the troops are far from the
lines of communication, he said. II wai1
take long time to send word to them.
Mr.. Plancon went at once TO his room.
He said:
TT is true that the armistice has been
"Is II true that II does not go into effect
until the treaty Of peace has been con.
cluded?"
yes" he answered, "the japanese in
sisted on that"
What is the of armistice after
the treaty has been signed?'
He shrugged his shoulders.
That is what we want to know" he an-
swered.
THAT is what we cannot understand"
Shortly after l O'Clock Mr.. Sato said ne
was at liberty to announce that the ar
mistice had been signed Although IL does
not go into effect formally until the treaty
has been signed. the understanding on both
sides is that hostilities are to cease imme-
diately. The news was cabled at once to
St Petersburg and Tokyo, and Lnevitch
and Oyama will be notified forthwith.
Some fear is expressed here that there
may be some scattered engagements among
the troops in remote parts of the. country
before the news reaches them.