The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-09
ATTACK ON
RUSSIAN FLEET.
Continued from First Page,

Continued from First Page)
with the Russian minister at Toxic,
who was entrusted with the negotia-
lions with the Japanese government
Although the exchange of views with
the Toxic cabinet on this subject We're
of a friendly character, Japan social
circles and the local and foreign press
attempted in every way to produce
warlike ferment among the Japanese
and to drive the government into an
armed conflict with Russia. Under the
influence thereof the Toxic cabinet be-
gan to formulate greater and greater
demands in the negotiations. at the
same time taking most extensive meas
ureS to make the country ready for
war. All these circumstances could not,
of course. disturb RusSia'S equanimity,
but they induced her to also take mill
tary and naval measures. Nevertheless
to preserve peace in the far east Rus
STA, so far as her incontestible rights
and interests permitted, gave the nee
eSSary attentions to the demands of the
Toxic cabinet, and declared herself
ready to recognize Japan'S privileged
commercial and economic proposition in
the Korean peninsula with the cOnceS-
sion of the right to protect it by mill
tary force in the event of disturbances
in that country. At the same time,
While vigorously observing the funda-
mental principle of her policy regard
ing Korea, whose independence and in
tegrity We're guaranteed by previous
understandings with Japan and by
treaties with other powers. Russia in
sisted on three points:
lon mutual and conditional guar
antee of this principle
2-On an understanding to use no
part of Korea for Strategetic purposes.
as the authorization of such action on
the part of any foreign power was di
rectly opposed to the principle of the
independence of Korea.
3-On preservation of the full free
dom of navigation of the straits of
Korea.
THE project elaborated in this sense
did not satisfy the Japanese govern
ment, which in its last proposals not
only declined to accept the conditions
which appeared as the guarantee of
the independence of Korea, but began
at the same time to insist on prOViS-
ions to be incorporated in a project re-
garding the question of Manchuria
Such demands on the part of Japan
naturally were inadmissible, the ques-
ton of RuSSia'S position in Manchuria
concerning in the first place China, but
also all the powers having commercial
interests in China. The imperial gov
eminent, therefore, saw absolutely no
reason to include in a special treaty
with Japan regarding Korean affairs,
any provision concerning territory &C.
cupied by Russian troops. The imper-
ial government, however, did not re-
fuse, so long as the occupation of
Manchuria lasts to recognize both the
sovereignty of the emperor of China in
Manchuria and also the rights acquir-
ed there by other powers through
treaties with China A declaration to
this effect had already been made to
the foreign governments. In view of
this the imperial government after
charging it's representative at Toxic TO
present its reply to the last proposal of
Japan, was justified in expecting the
Toxic cabinet to take into account the
considerations set forth above and that
it would appreciate the wish manifest
ed by Russia to come to a peaceful I'M
derstanding with Japan. Instead of
this the Japanese government, not even
awaiting this reply, decided to break
off negotiations and to suspend diplo-
matte relations. The imperial govern
ment while laying on Japan the full
responsibility for any consequences of
such a course of action, will await the
development of events and the moment
it becomes necessary, will take the
most decisive measures for the pre-
sentation of it's rights and interests in
the far east"