The San Francisco call., 1904-02-10
RUSSIA GIVES
HER ACCOUNT
OF QUARREL
Points for Which St.
Petersburg Govern
ment Contended.
Charges Japan With Re-
SponSIbiIity for the
War Outbreak.

ST. PETERsBURGH. Feb. "a
lengthy official communication issued
to-day gives the Russian account of
The negotiations which led to the rup-
ture.
Last year" says this Foreign Office
note the Toxic Cabinet under the
preteXt of establishing the balance Of
power and a more settled order Of
things on the shores of the Pacific,
submitted TO the imperial Government
u proposal for a revision Of the exist
ing treaties with Korea. Russia con-
scented and Niceroy AleXief was
charged 10 draw up a project for a
new understanding with Japan. in CO.
operation with the Russian Minister in
Toxic. who was entrusted with the
NEGOTIATIONS With the Japanese Gov
ernment. Although the exchange Of
views with the Toxic Cabinet on this
subject We're Of a friendly character
japanese social circles and the local
and foreign press attempted in every
way TO produce Warhke ferment
among the Japanese and to drive the
Government into an armed conflict
with Russia. Under the influence
thereof the Toxic Cabinet began to
formulate greater and greater de-
mands I'm the negotiations. at the same
Ime taking most extensive measures
To- make the country ready for war
All Of these circumstances of course
disturbed Russia's eQuanimity, but
they induced her TO also take military
and naval measures.
JAPAN'S RIGHTS IN KOREA.
Nevertheless. to preserve peace in
the Far East. Russia. so far as her in
cOntestable rights and interests per
mitted. gave the necessary attention
TO the demands Of the Toxic Cabinet
and declared herself ready TO recOg-
nlze Japan's privileged commercial
and economic prepOnderance in the
Korean peninsula. with the concession
Of the right TO protect il by military
force in the event Of disturbance in
that country. At the same time. while
Vigorously observing the fundamental
principle Of her policy regarding Ko-
rea, whose Independence and integ-
rity were guaranteed by previous un-
derstancings with Japan and by trea-
ties with other powers, Russia in
sisted on three points:
Il On a mutual and conditional
guarantee Of this principle
- on an understanding to use no
part Of Korea for strategic purposes
as the authorization Of such action on
the part Of any foreign power was di-
rectly opposed 10 the principle Of the
independence Of Korea.
3. on preservation of the full
freedom Of navigation of the Straits
Of Korea.
The project elaborated in this sense
did not satisfy the Japanese Govern
aaent. which. in its last proposals. not
only declined 70 accept the conditions
which appeared as the guarantee Of
the independence Of Korea, but began
n me same time 10 insist on pro-
visions to be Incorporated in a project
regarding the question Of Manchuria.
TREATY RIGHTS RECOGNIZED.
Such demands on the part Of Japan
naturally We're inadmissible the ques-
ton Of Russia's position in Manchuria
concerning, in the Tirst place. China
but also all the powers having CONNER
cial interests in China. The Imperial
Government. therefore, saw no reason
T. include in a special treaty with
Japan regarding Korean affairs any
provision concerning territory occu-
pied by Russian troops. The Imperial
Government, however, did not refuse.
so long As the occupation Of Manchuria
lasted, To recognize both the sovereign
~ Of the Emperor Of China in Man
churia and also the rights acquired
There by other powers through treaties
n lAA ~ IA44tc- a 4EEldlGllOn 10 inns eI-
feet had already been made TO the for
eign Cabinets.
IN view Of this the Imperial Govern
n1ent. after charging its representative
al Toxic to present its reply 10 the
last proposal Of Japan, was justified in
expecting the Toxic Cabinet to take
intO account the cOnsidera tiOns set
forth above, and that il would appre-
cate the wish manifested by Russia
C. come TO a peaceful understanding
with Japan. Instead Of this, the Japan
csc GO-ernment. not even awaiting
this reply. decided to break off negotiz
lions and 70 suspend diplomatic rela-
tons.
The Imperial Government while
laying upon Japan the full responsible
ity for any consequences of such
course u action. VIII await the de-
velopmcut of events, and the moment
il becomes necessary viii take the
most decisive measures for the pro-
lection Of its rights and interests in
the Far East"