Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-07
Firing Of National Salute An.
nounced the Fact to People
Of Portsmouth
CHURCH BELLS JOIN REFRAIN
The Russian md Japanese Plcnipotcn-
tiaries In session Just Five Min.
utcs-(;rnsped Each Others
Hands and Drank Hcnlths
when 1t WAS Finished.

Portsmouth. n. H.. Sept. 5.--The
treaty of Portsmouth" was signed
shortly before four o'clock this after
noon in the conference room OF the
navy general store at the navy yard.
The firing of "A national salute of n
guns was the signal which told the
people of Portsmouth, Kitterey and
Newcastle that the peace of Ports
mouth was an accomplished fact and
the church bells in the three towns
were soon pealng forth a joyful re-
frain.
For a minutes those outside the
conference room were anXiously
awaiting the signal. Suddenly an or
dcrly dashed to the entrance of the
peace building, and waved his hand
to the gunner, few feet away, and
the opening shot of the salute rang
out on tn" clear air of the soft Sep
tembcr afternoon, procaiming peace
between Russia and Japan
| II was just 3:45 when the plcnipo-
tentiarics entered the conference room
from their respective Offices. They
bowed to each other and took their
accustomed seats at tho long table
around which tho negotiations have
been conducted Instead of the Soc
rctarics sitting next the plenipoten-
tiarics however, these chairs were
occupied by the remaining delegates.
Mr.. Wittc sat at the center of the
table facing the window. On his
right was Baron De Rosen and Cap
tain Roussine the latter occupying
the scat of Mr.. Martens, who was de-
tanned at his hotel by indisposition.
On Mr. Whites left sat Mr.. Pokotiloff
and General Fcrmalon.
Directly opposite Mr.. wittc was
Baron Komura with Mr. Takahira and
Mr.. Sato on his right and Mr.. Denni-
son and Mr.. Yamaza on his left. At
one end of the table sat Mr.. Plancon
with the Russian originals of the
treaty in French and English, and the
| final protocol. Grouped around the
table were the other members Of the
two missions and the invited wit
nesses. Mr.. Pcirce. personal represen-
tative of the President, Admiral Mead,
Capt. Winslow. the governor OF New
Hampshire and the mayor of Ports
mouth.
| When the delegates were seated. MIR.
Sato handed Mr.. White the japanese copies
of the treaty. At the same time Mr..
Plancon placed the Russian copies before
Baron Komura. Almost at the same mo-
ment the two men selected pens from the
center of the table and signed their names
first to the French and then to the Eng
lisb text. The copies were then signed
by Baron DE Rosen and Mr.. Takahira. Mr..
Sato returned the Japanese copies for thu
signatures of Baron Komura and MIR.
Takahira. Mr.. Witte and Baron Rosen
affixed their signatures to the Russian
copies and the treaty of Portsmouth was
signed, the ceremony being completed at
3 80.
Up to this moment no word had broken
tn" silence of the conference room. Throw
ing his pen aside, Mr.. White. without a
word reached across the table and grasp
cd Baron Komuras hand His confreres
followed and the Russian and Japanese
delegates remained for moment in 81
lence. their right hands tightly clasped
across the conference table. The war was
over-Russa and Japan were once moro
friends.
There is nothing STACEY" about this
simple ceremony. II rang true and
deeply impressed the attaches and sec
rctarics of the two missions, who with
the invited witnesses. had formed Il large
circle around the delegates sitting at
the table.
BARON DE ROSEN SPEAKS.
Baron DcROSen was the first to break
the silence. Looking straight al Baron
Komura and Mr.. Takahira, he began by
saying that he wished on behalf OF Mr..
IN
I'VE nave just signed" continued the
ambassador, IAN act which will have
forever Il place In the annals of history.
1t is not for us active participants in
the conclusion Of this treaty to pass judg
ment on its import and significance. AS
negotiators ON behalf OF the Empire of
Russia, as well as the Empire of japan,
we may, with tranquil conscience, say
that we have done all that was In our
power in order to bring about the peace
for which the whole civilized world was
longing. As picnipotentiaries OF Russia
we fulfill most agreeable duty IN ac-
knowledging that IN negotiating with
our hitherto advcrsaries and from this
hour our friends We have been deal
ing with true and thorough gentlemen
to whom we are happy to express our
high esteem and personal regard. we
earnestly hope that friendly relations
| between the two empires will henceforth
be firmly established and we trust that
his xcellency. Baron komura. AS NM
lister of foreign affairs and one OF the
leading statesmen of his country. VIII
apply to the STRENGTHENING OF these re-
latiOns the wide experience and wise
craftsmanship he so consplcuously dis
played during these negotiations. which
have now been so auspiciously con-
al ,1a