New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-02
ENJOYS SETTLE DISPUTE.
N. Witte and Baron Komnrd Decide
Wording of Treaty.

W OfUtUS W AfC1C9-
Portsmouth N H. Sept. 1.-The only posi-
bic hitch on the horizon Of the peace conference.
according TO reports current here, which. now
ever are not officially confirmed. arises out OF
an evident misunderstanding over the question
of the naturalization of the island of Saghalien
According to the Japanese. the understanding
reached on Tuesday contemplated a mutual OBJ
legation on the part Of the two countries not
to fortify their respective possessions on the isl
and. At ST. Petersburg. however. there seems
to have been an assumption that the agreement
involved freedom of action the part Of Russia
in this respect in the north Of SaghaIien with an
obligation on the part Of the Japanese not to
fortify or use for strategic purposes the part
owned by her before 1875. which is to be retro
ceded in the present treaty 1t is expected on both
Sides however that the hitch. II 1t really exists
as reported will shortly be Strengthened out, and
1t is believed that one of the subjects OF to-
nights conference related to this point
AS result of the reports made tonight by "
de Martens and Mr.. Dennson to their respective
chiefs on their work this afternoon at the navy
yard. NJ. witte and Baron Komura had brief
conference in the formers apartments at $50
o'clock tonight regarding some details OF
translation and the few points Of interpreta-
ton upon which the trainers had been unable
to reach complete accord. When Baron konnura
left Mr. Dennfson and NJ Adachi he entered the
apartments of NJ Witte. where they were Joined
by NJ. de Martens and NJ. Pancon. This confer
ence lasted for about half hour. when the
japanese returned to Baron Konr,rais apart
ments leaving NJ. witte and his su5ordinates.
who remained in conference for nis re than
hour.
NJ Witte and Baron Kornura had no dfficufty
in coming to an agreement the disputed points.
Japan has refused to consent to the cessation
Of hostilites until the treaty OF peace has been
signed The Russian plenipotentiaries. accord
panied by their secretaries, called on Baron ko-
rnura and NJ. Takahira shortly after noon to-
day and were in conference with them for half
an hour Japan having indicated last night
through Baron Komura her willingness for an
armfstice M Witte supposed to-day that he
would find them ready to sign Baron Konura
explained that while his government was ready
to consent to an arnlistice, his instructions were
that this should not take effect until after the
signing OF the treaty.
The discussion lasted for half hour. the
Russian position being that Japan's contention
was without precedent. and that IL the arniistice
were not to take effect until the signing OF the
treaty, it was practically unnecessary. HOW
ever the Japanese were tnsistent and an asree-
ment was accordingly entered into providing TOT
an armistice which shall take effect the morenx
the treaty is signed.
Mr.. Sato in explanation os Japan's insistence
that the arrnistice shall not go into effect untn
the treaty is signed. said:
1t is necessary that not only the comna1des H,
IN the field but all the commanders OF smp1,
shall he notified and this necessarily tequir =
little time Japan did not desire to have tne
arrnistice go into effect until the Commanders on
CO Go e snd Isnd had been notified. thus tnsuring
the maintenance Of the agreement
II "a nonted out in Japanese circles that an
arntstice has practically been in effect since tns
conference began. and 1t is declared That tnsrs
IS no ground for fear OF a clash before the sigma
ture of the treaty.
Tho effect of the agreement to-day ts tnax tne
arrnistice becomes operative only on the nsns-
ture of the treaty by the plentpotentiartes ana
continues until the final exchange Of ratinca-
tIon by the Emperors OF the two countries IL
Is for this reason that the penipotentiaries, who
will themselves convey TO their respective capt
tails the momentous document. are anxious 10
rea,,a here at the earliest possible date, fore
going the innumerable invitations which have
been showered upon them.
1t is stated tonight that twelve articles OF
the treaty have been finished and agreed upon
Il now seems probable that the trainers VIII Dc
able to confne the treaty to fourteen articles
instead of fifteen. as the original plan ie
is expected that the text Of the treaty Will De
complete ed by tomorrow n1Sht or SuLudy- = III
summaries. if not the actual text, will then be
cabIed TO Toxic and St Petersburg for approval
and by Tuesday. or Wednesday at the latest.
NJ Witte and Baron Komura expect 10 receive
final authority to affx their signatures The
subsequent exchange of ratifcations by tie two
governments viii be only fornality.
The treaty will be engrossed on the treaty pa
per OF the State Department. peculiarly fne
quality OF linen parchment paper Two OF the
caliyra piers of the State Department have been
sent here to do the engrossing- It is officially
stated that President Roosevelt will not come 10
Portsmouth to be present at the signing OF the
/ treaty. The ceremony will be as quiet AID un-
/ ostentatious as possible Both sides desire 10
| avoid any spectacular features Both realize
that for different reasons. the treaty viii not es
/ popular in their respective countries. In Japan.
/ especially. there is expected to be great popu-
/ lar outcry.
! we know" said a member OF the Japaness
mission to-day, that we are going home tc
stones. and perhaps dynamite"
! No arrangements looking TO a Joint farewell
! visit TO President Roosevelt have been mad'
| or even suggested. Baron Komura and d
| Witte will go separately 70 Oyster Bay to ex
( press thanks on behalf OF their respective ccun
tries and say "goodby." VI. Witte expects q
| sail September IL on the Kaiser Wilhelm II
| He has already Professionally engaged suite