Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-04
PEACE TREATY READY
What is Contained in Famous
Document
NOT MADE PUBLIC
MAY BE SIGNED TODAY OR To-
MORROW.
Then Must Be Ratified by Emperor
and Czar--Plans for
Ceremony.

A dispatch from Portsmouth last night
says: The treaty of Portsmouth. providing
for lasting peace between Russia and Ja-
pan, was completed in every detail tonight
after a conference for the purpose of COM
parison and verbal amendment that lasted
all day.
Prof Martens, the Russian treaty ex-
pert declared when the conference was over
that there was a strong probability that the
act of signing would take place tomorrow
afternoon. M. Witte and Mr.. Takahira are
not SO hopeful. They believe that the clos
ing scene in the peace negotiations will not
occur until Tuesday, or until the work of
making the signature copies is done.
Before the treaty can be signed 1t will be
necessary for the ENJOYS to approve the
protocol of their last sitting. The Japanese
draft Of this protocol did not reach the Rus
slams until this evening, and 1t was ex-
planned that If any changes were suggested
by NJ. Witte the signing Of the treaty might
be delayed.
Both the Russian and the Japanese ENJOYS
decided today that they would not take ad-
vantage Of the services of the expert pen
men sent here by the State Department to
make the signature copies Of the conven-
ton. This was a precautionary measure,
the explanation being that the treaty Is
secret document that does not pertain to
any foreign government or any OF Its rep
ond secretary Of the Russian legation at
Picking, who is here will make the Russian
copies. and Mr.. Otchiai of the japanese mis-
sion will prepare the official copies for his
government.
The parchment upon which the engrossing
is being done was furnished by the State
Department. 1t has broad red line form
ing border around each sheet Of parch-
ment, with a margin of about four inches.
When M. White saw the red border he did
not like It, and said he preferred parchment
that was not ornamented in that way. But
he was persuaded that the red line was Gus
tomary and consented to its use. Besides,
there was not any other parchment avail
able, and M. Witte will take no chances on
delay In completing his work here. He is
too anxious to get away from Portsmouth.
Under the terms of the treaty the ratif-
cation by the emperors of Japan and Russia
must take place within fifty days Of the
signing.
Notification Of Ratification.
1t Is promised that notification of the rati-
fication shall be communicated in this man
ner: Upon the approval of the treaty by
the Emperor of Japan the French minister
at Tokyo, who is caring for Russian inter-
ests In Japan during the period of the war.
will notify the government of Russia. Upon
the approval of the treaty by the Emperor
of Russia the United States ambassador at
st. Petersburg, who Is in charge of Japan
csc interests in Russia during the period
Of the war; will notify the government OF
Japan.
The treaty is to become effective when 1t
has been ratified by the two emperors. The
GATE OF the exchange of Publications will
have no bearing on the beginning of peace.
Hostilities are to be suspended as soon as
the treaty has been signed.
But the armies of the belligerents are not
to retire from their present positions until
the treaty has been ratified The eyacua-
ton Of Manchuria will take place within
fixed period thereafter. The return of pris-
oners will not occur until ratification has
been given to the treaty.
Plans for Prisoners.
Arrangements have already been COM
pleted by the Russian government with
the North German Lloyd Steamship Com
pany to carry to Russia the 66,GOO soldiers
ard sailors of the cars forces who are
held as prisoners of war by the Japanese.
These will be taken home by the Suez route
About 1900 will be carried on each ship
NJ. Witte, Baron Rosen and the members
of the Russian mission expect to leave here
for New York Immediately after the treaty
has been signed. The Japanese are in no
hurry TO get away. A notice was posted in
the Wentworth today that they would re-
ceive the guests of the hotel tomorrow
accept any invitations. 1t is their intention
to sail from Seattle about September %.
M. White and Baron Rosen will probab bly,
attend the Metropolitan Club dinner in New
York that has been proposed in their honor
N. White said today that he intended going
TO Chicago, If he spent only few hours
there. As has been said, he will also visit
Niagara Falls and will sail from New York
for Europe on September IL.
Arrangements for the ceremony of sign
ing the treaty were made today. 1t will
take place in the conference room at the
Portsmouth navy yard, and in addition to
the ENJOYS and the members of their suites,
the only witnesses will be Gov. McLane of
New Hampshire, Read Admiral Mead, COM
mandant of the Portsmouth navy yard;
Commander Winslow Of the Mayflower and
the commanders of such other naval yes-
sells as may be at the yard at the time, and
Herbert H. D. PIERCE, President Roosevelt's
representative.
a heavy northeaster with a steady down.
pour of rain kept everybody at the Went
worth indoors today. The ENJOYS left their
apartments only for meals. They did not
participate in the conferences over the
phraseology of the treaty. These took
place in the room Of Prof. Martens.