RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Evening Star, Issue 12603, 7 September 1905, Page 6

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Pros Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. THE TREATY SIGNED. GUNS FIRED, BELLS BUNG. ‘ THE TERMS OF PEACE. WASHINGTON,.September 6. Tb© Russian and Japanese Peace Plenipotentiaries signed the treaty simultaneously at 3.47 this afternoon. Then was a complete absence of ceremony, and only four American officials weije present. A salute of eighteen guns was fired, the church bells were set ringing, and flags were hoisted everywhere. The Russian envoys immediately attended a thanksgiving service held at Portsmouth by the Archimandrite of the Greek Church.

The treaty comprises fifteen articles, with two additional clauses.

The preamble recites that the Czar and the Mikado, desiring to dose the war, agree to re-establish peace and friendship. Russia recognises Japan’s preponderant political, military, and economic interests in Corea, and does not oppose any measures which Japan deems necessary for the protection and control of Corea. Russian subjects and enterprises enjoy the some status as those of other countries. "

The Russian and Japanese troops are to simultaneously evacuate Manchuria! All private rights remain intact. Russian leases at Fort Arthur and Dalny, with the lands and waters adjacent, pass to Japan. Subject to private rights, both nations engage not to oppose China’s measures for the development of Manchuria’s commerce and industry, all nations being treated alike.

Tbe Manchurian Railway shall be worked jointly between the Russians and Japanese at Kwong-chenge-to-zo, and shall be employed for commercial and industrial purposes only, owing to Russia keeping her line with the right acquired under the convention with China. Japan acquiree the mines connected with her section of the line. Russia and Japan engage to make the junction of the lines at Kwong-eheng-to-zo, working with a view to ensuring commercial advantage without obstruction. Russia cedes to Japan Southern Soghalien as far north as the fiftieth degree of latitude, with tbe adjacent island. The free navigation of La Perouse and Faitary Bays is assured. Russian colonists are allowed to remain, but Japan is empowered to force convicts to leave; Japan is granted the fishery rights in the Seas of Japan, Okhotsk, and Behnng. The Russo-Japanese Treaty is to be renewed, and prisoners are to be exchanged, each paying the cost of repatriation within fifty days. EVACUATION OF MANCHURIA. THE BA GHALIEN PARTITION, WASHINGTON, September 6. (Received September 7, at 7.41 a.itu) The two additional articles to the treaty provide for the evacuation of Manchuria within eighteen months. The military railway guards afterwards will be limited to fifteen men per kilometre. The Saghalien boundary will be defined by a special commission. Russia acknowledges that she does not possess in Manchuria any territorial advantages, preferential and exclusive concessions, or franchises impairing tbe sovereignty or that are incompatible with the principle of equal opportunity. AS IT SHOULD BE. PLENIPOTENTIARIES GRASP HANDS. A HISTORIC SCENE. WASHINGTON, September 6. (Received September 7, at 8.48 a.m.) The treaty was signed in silence until the last signature was affixed. Then M. De Witte reached across the table and grasped Count Komura’s hand. Then - colleagues imitated them, and then the Russians and Japanese stood for a moment tightly holding each other’s bands. Cordial speeches followed. NOISY PROTESTS. TOKIO, September 6. (Received September 7, at 8.28 a.nru) Although the majority of tbe -population accept the treaty of peace, some noisy protest meetings were held at Toco, Osaka, and Nagoya. BAD NEWS. SYDNEY. September A The Government Commercial Agent in Japan advises that, owing to damage to tbe crops by rain, Japan will require a large importation of wheat.