The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-17
A Tentative Program Has
 Been Outlined.
ENTRUSTED TO GENERALS
Oyama and Linevitch Will
 Meet and Talk.
Respective Commanders Then to Tele- graph Result to Their Govern ments to Sign-As to the
 Representatives.

Washington, June 16.-Alone on the plains of Manchuria, midway between the two great armies, the Russian and Japanese commanders will meet to sign the armistice, which will pave the way for the Washington conference, if the present tentative program Is followed.
 Exchanges on this point are now in progress between Tokio and St. Peters burg, via Washington, but no final con- clusion has been reached. It was first thought preliminary protocol might be signed at Washington providing for a temporary cessation of hostilities, but in view of the fact that this concerns directly the armies in the field. 1t is believed that the belligerents will agree that the arrangement of the armistice be best entrusted to Linevitch and Oyama, the respective commanders-in- chief. who. in such event, would be telegraphed the special powers to sign.
 The time limit for the armistice has not been fixed, but 1t will be compara- lively brief, so that the progress of the conference may be assisted as much as possible.
 Prior to the signing of an armistice, however. will come the official an nouncement of the Russian and Jap anese plenipotentiaries. Russia has in dicated that her mission will be headed by M. Nelidoff, the Russian Ambassa- dor at Paris, and 1t Is understood that the Japanese Emperor has requested Marquis Ito to head the Japanese mis- sion. although the distinguished Presi- dent of the Privy Council, so far as is known here, has not finally accepted.
 ItO's Health.
 Only his health would cause him to decline, in which event Field Marshal Yamagata probably would be selected in his place. Neither country has sug gested the names of the other pleni- potentiaries nor has the number been agreed upon.
 The selection of Mir Takahira as one of Japan's plenipotentiaries would be distinctly acceptable to the officials here. Should Mir. Takahira be placed on the mission, the chances are M. Nelf- Hoff would be accompanied by a second pienipotentiary from Russia and would be joined in Washington by Baron Rosen, the new Russian Ambassador, who will sail for this country June 28, and who, through his two tours of duty at Tokio, Is thoroughly familiar with Asiatic politics. It Is said, moreover, that with the exception of General Ku- ropatkin, few Russians possess the con- fdence of the Japanese to greater degree than Baron Rosen.
 Another important detail which has been the subject of informal conversa- ton at the White House Is the lan- guage to be used at the conference. Russia will ask that the French lam
  preference for English, and in recog- hilton of the courtesies to be extended the plenipotentiaries by the Washing ton Government, diplomatists believe that the English language. If not ac- cepted as the official language of the conference, will be used jointly with French, the proceedings of the confer ence being recorded in both tongues.
 Insists on English.
 Had the conference been held in Europe, French undoubtedly would have been used on the ground that 1t is there recognized as the diplomatic tongue. The United States, however, has never so recognized it. This gov ernment insisted on the use of English in the recent proceedings of the Ven ezuelan case at The Hague, though French was also used by some of the representatives.
 No date has yet been- fixed for the converting of the conference. There are many official papers. copies of which must be furnished to the plen1- potentiarles The copying itself will require some weeks. Before leaving their respective capitals the Russians and Japanese missions will be received by the sovereigns and handed their credentials The exchange of these powers will constitute the initial for. mality after the plenipotentiarles en- ter the conference room.
 uuietest day Tn Washington For two weeks. No diplomats saw the Presl- dent today and discussion of peace at the White House was limited to the informal conversation at the cabinet meeting. when the President was warmly congratulated on the results of his efforts for peace.