Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-09-07
The Signing of the Treaty.

OdVlO Ouppe,
w. B. Scott.
Coroner-Dr. w. s. Patterson.
The Signing of the Treaty.
The treaty of Peace between Japan
and Russia, consisting of seventeen
articles was agreed upon, in all its de-
tails by last Saturday evening On Mon
day four copies of 1t were made IN
English and French, and on Tuesday
afternoon these were signed by the
plenipotentiaries Of each nation, in the
presence of each other, and number
Of others.
Then Mr. Witte without a word,
reached across the table and grasped
Baron Komura's hand. His confreres
followed and the Russian and Japanese
delegates remained for moment IN
silence, their right hands tightly clasped
across the conference table. The war
was over-Russia and Japan were once
more friends.
This simple ceremony rang true and
deeply impressed the attaches and secre-
taries Of the two missions, who, with
the invited witnesses, had formed
large circle around the delegates sitting
at the table.
Baron de Rosen was the first to break
the silence. Rising from his seat, the
ambassador, looking Baron Komura and
Mr.. Takahira straight in the eye, said a
few words which one had only to hear
70 know that they came from his heart.
He began by saying that he wished, on
behalf Of Mr.. Witte, Russia's first pleni-
potentiary, and in his own name to say
few words.
I'VE have Just signed" continued
the ambassador, IAN act which Will
have forever place in the annals OF
history. It is not for us active partlclp-
anfs ID the conclusion of this treaty to
pass judgment on its import and sig-
nfficance.
.As negotiators on behalf of the EN-.
pire OF Russia, as well as the empire OF
japan, we may with tranquil conscience
ray that we have done all that was 10
our power in order to bring ABOUT the
peace for which the whole civilized
world was longing. AS plen'potentlarles
" Russia, we fulfill most agreeable
dIttv ii acknowledging that in negotiat
i7r with our hitherto adversaries, and
fronn this hour our friends. we have
been dealing with true and thorougn
centaemen, to whom we are happy to
express our high esteem and personal
regard
I'VE earnestly hope that friendly re,
lations between the two empires VIII
henceforth be firmly established and we
trust that His Excellency Baron kom-
ura, as minister Of foreign affairs and
one Of the leading statesman OF his
country, will apply to the strengthening
of these relations, the wide experience
and wise statesmRnship he so conspicu-
ously displayed during these negotia-
tions, which have now BEEN 80 auspic-
iously concluded.
Baron Komura replied that he shared
entirely the views of Baron De Rosen;
a-AlaASs-hAdl
iust aiRned, be said, was In the interest
of humanity and civilization and he
was happy to believe that it would bring
about 3 firm, lasting peace between two
neiehboring empires.
He added that it would always be
pleasant for him to recall that through
out the long and serious negotiations
which they have now left behind them
he and his colleagues haye invariably
received from the Russian plenipoten-
tiaries the highest courtesy and con-
alteration and finally he begged to as
Sure the Russian plenipotentiaries that
Il would be his duty as well as his
pleasure to do everything in his power
% make the treaty in fact what it pro-
fesses to be in words-a treaty Of peace
and amity.
At the conclusion of Baron Komura's
remarks Mr.. Witte arose and said he de-
sired to see Baron De Rosen and the
Japanese plenipotentiaries alone for a
few minutes. The four retired to the
Russian Office and were closeted for ten
minutes. What transpired in that final
conference of the peacemakers the
world may never know. The plenipo-
tentiaries, however, refused to discuss
it even to their secretaries.
While the conference was in progress
the secretaries were affixing the official
seal to the treaty. there being four seals
to each of the four copies.
Upon their return to the conference
the plenipotentiaries then signed the
protocol OF their last meeting, which
records the signing of the treaty, Sept.
8. 1905. at $50 in the Portsmouth navy
yard.
After this there was general hand
shaking and a buffet luncheon was
served, the Russians and Japanese in |
formally drinking each others health. |
Shortly before o'clock the Russian
mission left the yard for the Thanks |
giving service at Christ church, and the |
Japanese returned to the hotel.
As the crowds near the church caught |
sight Of Mr.. Witte, they began cheer |
that did not die until he had passed into |
the church. 1t was probably the great
est of the many ovations he has received |
since he came to this country.
The service of thanksgiving in Christ |
Episcopal church this evening was near
" two hours in length. For the first |
time in this country, it is said, the |
English and Russian tongues were /
heard together at service in an Ameri |
can church.
The substance of the treaty is about /
as has been published; it is to be ratified
by the sovereigns of the two countries
within fifty days, and Manchuria is to
be completely evacuated by the two
armies within eighteen months. The
reported disaffection in the Japanese
army regarding the treaty, and threaten
ed revolt, seem to have been exagger-
ated.
The Russian People.