New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-10

The review Gays the last reply from Russia was
received at Toxic on January e. In this reply
Russia did not mention the question Of the terri
torial integrity Of China in Manchuria, on which
japan had asked for an assurance. Russia in
sisted that Japan recognize Manchuria and its
littoral as outside her sphere Of interest. and
also maintained her demands regarding a neu-
trail zone in Corean territory and the non-em-
ployment by Japan Of Corean territory for
strategiCal PURPOSES.
The statement concludes with saying the
japanese government has been throughout actu-
ated by principles OF moderation and impartial
ity. and has demanded Of the Russian govern
ment no more than the recognition Of a principle
which has been repeatedly and voluntarily an
nounced by Russia herself. While the Russian
government has persistently refused to accede
thereto. and while unduly delaying, on the one
hand. its replies. whenever IL had make one,
IL has. on the other hand augmented its mill
tsry and naval preparations A large Russian
force was the Corean frontier. The japanese
government while animated with a sincere de-
sire for peace has been exercising the utmost
degree Of patience. but has been reluctantly
compelled by the action Of Russia to give up all
hopes Of reconciliation and break off their nego-
tiations.
TENT OF JAPAN'S STATEMENT.
The following is the text of the statement
ISSUED by the japanese government setting forth
it's position:
Section 1T being Indispensable 20 the well
fare and safety OF japan TO maintain the indie
pendence and territorial integrity OF Corea and
10 safeguard her paramount interests therein.
the japanese government finds IL impossible to
view with Indifference any action endangering
the position OF Corea, whereas Russia, notwith-
standing her solemn treaty with China and her
repeated assurances TO the powers. not only
continues her occupation % Manchuria, but has
taken aggressive measures in Corean territory
Should Manchuria be annexed TO Russia the in
dependence OF Corea would naturally re impos-
sihle. The japanese government, therefore, be-
ing DESTROYS Of securing permanent peace for
Eastern Asia, by means OF direct negotiations
with Russia with the view Of arriving at a
friendly adjustment Of their mutual interests in
both Manchuria and Corea. where their interests
meet, communicated toward the end OF July last
such desire 10 the Russian government and in
vited its adherence. To this the Russian gov
eminent expressed a willing assent. Accordingly
on the 18th day OF August the Japanese govern
ment proposed To Russia through its representa-
tive al ST Petersburg the basis Of an agreement
which was substantially follows:
First-A mutual engagement TO respect the indie
perdence and territorial integrity OF the Chinese
and Corean empires.
Second-A mutual engagement to maintain the
principle OF equal opportunity for the CONNER
cial industry OF all nations with the natives Of
those countries.
Third-A reciprocal recognition Of Japan's pre-
ponderating interests in Corea and that Russia has
/
churia and a mutual recognition OF the respective
rights OF Japan 20 take measures necessary for
! the protection Of the above mentioned interests
far the principle OF Article I is infringed.
| Fourth-The recognition by Russia OF the exclu-
sive rights Of Japan give advice and assistance
to Corea in the interest OF reform and good gov
| eminent
| Flfth-The engagement the part Of Russia
not 10 Impede the eventual extension OF the Corean
| Railway into Southern Manchuria 50 IS 81 connect
with Eastern China and the Shan Hai-Kwan and
| New-Chwang lines.
/ II the intention Of the Japanese govern
! nent originally that a conference should take
place between the representatives at ST. Peters
burg and the Russian authorities. as to facili-
tate progress as much as possible in reaching a
| solution Of the situation. but the Russian gov
eminent absolutely refused TO do so. the plea
uhat the Gar planned a trip abroad, and for
| other reasons Il was unavoidably decided to con-
| duct the negotiations at Toxic.
/ II was not until October , that the Russian
! government presented counter proposals and in
| them she declined to engage I'm respect 10 the
/ sovereignty and territorial integrity OF China
] and stipulated the maintenance Of the principle
OF equal opportunities for the commerce and In
, oustry Of All nations in China, and requested
| that Japan declare Manchuria and its littoral as
6elng entirely outside Of her sphere and interest
She further put several restrictions upon
Japan's freedom Of action in Corea; for instance.
| Mhhe recognizing Japan's right to dispatch the
| troops when necessary for the protection OF her
J Interests in Corea. Russia refused TO allow her
! 10 use any portion Of Corean territory for
lar as 10 propose 10 establish neutral zone f.
Corean territory north OF the Beth parallel
! Lhe japanese government failed utterly 20 see
/ why Russia, who professed no intention Of alb
! sorbing Manchuria. should be Cisinclined 10 in
seTt IN the convention clause in complete har-
Hioily win her own repeatedly declared principle
respecting the sovereignty and territorial in
tegrity u China. Furthermore. this refusal on
] the part Of the Russian government IMPRESSED
the japanese government an the more with the
/ necessity for the insertion Of that clause
Sapan mas important commercial interests IN
] = and #1H Ca
lhelr future development and politically she has
even greater interests there by reason Of Man
chGr1as relations 10 Corea, 50 she could not pos
slbiS recognize Manchufia as being entirely out
side her sphere ~ interest. These reasons de-
cided Japan absolutely TO reject the Russian
proposal
Accordingly the Japanese royar,-,e,. .v-
plained the foregoing views to the Russian gov
eminent. and at the same time IL introduced
other necessary amendments in the Russian
counter proposals.
II further proposed. with regard to the neu-
tral zone, that II one was to be created II
should be established on both sides Of the
boundary line between Manchuria and Corea
with an equal width say. Of fifty kilometres
After repeated discussions at Toxic the Jap
aneSe government finally presented to the Rus
sian government fits defnitive amendment on
October 30
The Japanese government then frequently
urged the Russian government to give 81 q reply
but this again DELAYED and only deliv-
cred on December IL. In that reply Russia sup
pressed the clauses relating 10 Manchuria so as
70 make the proposed convention apply entirely
to COrea- and maintained its original demand in
regard 10 The unemployment Of Corean terri
tory for strategical purposes as well as neutral
zone. but. the exclusion OF Manchuria from the
proposed convention. being contrary 10 the orig
inal object OF the negotiations. which were to
remove causes Of conflict between the two coun-
tries bv a friendly ARRANGEMENT of their inter
ests both IN Manchuria and Corea. the japanese
government asked the removal Of the restric-
ton regarding the use OF Corean territory ana
The entire s4lppre~sion OF the neutral zone. on
the ground that If Russia was opposed to the