Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-02
JAPAN'SF ORMAL REPLY
Response to the Protest Made
by Russia.
WAS FORCED INTO WAR
THE CAR HAD BEEN PREPARING
FOR POSSIBILITIES.
Increase in Naval and Land Strength
in the Far East Pointed To-
Declaration Not Required.

ceived yesterday from his government mas
been given out by the Japanese minister:
1.-THE Russian government has charged
Japan with having treacherously obtained
a victory by sudden attack upon Rus
STA, who was bent upon maintaining peace.
It is furthr asserted in these communt-
ques that since a rupture of diplomatic
relations can never be looked upon as the
opening of hostilities, and since Japan did
not issue a declaration of war until the
18th of February, she has been guilty OF
fragrant breach of the principles of inter-
national law in making, as early as the
9th of February, most unwarrantable at
tacks on Russian men-of-war and mer
chant vessels
Russia Arraigned.
1.-THE answer to these charges may be
found in the action of Russia herself.
That her government never entertained
any sincere desire for peace can be clearly
seen from its own conduct. Throughout
the whole course of the negotiations Rus
STA persistently refused to meet the pro-
posals made by Japan in a moderate and
conciliatory spirit. BY delays that could
not be construed as otherwise than wan
ton and unnecessary she put off the set
tiement of the question at issue. while at
the same time busily extending her naval
and military preparations. Her warlike
preparations in the far east since last
April when she failed to carry out her
treaty engagement to evacuate Manchuria,
are in full confirmation of these statements.
Russia's Increased Naval Strength.
During that time the increase made in
her naval strength in the far east was as
follows: Three battle ships tonnage S.
ASS; one armored cruiser, tonnage 1928;
five cruisers, tonnage. 90 All; seven destroy
ers, tonnage. 2,45O; one gunboat, tonnage
1884; two vessels for laying mines, tonnage
5000; total number of vessels, nineteen,
with a total tonnage of 82415.
I'm addition to these vessels the Russian
government sent torpedo boat destroyers
in sections by rail to Port Arthur, where
the work of putting them together has been
fastened and seven of them have already
been completed. Furthermore, two vessels
of the volunteer fleet were armed, at Vladi-
vostok and hoisted the Russian naval en-
sign. The Russian government also Or
dered to the far east one battle ship, three
cruisers seven destroyers and four torpedo
boats, of total tonnage of about 80, 74O,
which would have joined the Russian
squadron in the far east had not circum-
stances subsequently compelled Russia to
recall them. These vessels, If added to the
others brought to the far east during the
progress of negotiations, would have made
total increase in Russias naval strength
of about 113, 900 tons.
Land Forces Increased.
During the same period the increase of
Russias land forces in the far east has
been equally marked. Since the Goth of
last June, when, under the pretext of trial
transportation of the Siberian railway, the
Russian government sent to China two
infantry brigades, two artillery battalions
and large force of cavalry, troops have
been constantly sent by military train
from Russia to the far east until, at the
beginning of February, the total augmented
strength of the Russian forces was over
10000. At the same time plans were being
made for sending, if necessary, over 20O,OO0
men more.
During the same period there has been
the greatest activity possible at Port Ar
thur and VladivOStok, and work has been
carried on day and night to strengthen the
Notifications of those naval ports. while
forts have been built at Hun-chun. Liao-yan
ana other strategic points, and large guam
sent to the far east by the Siberian railway
and the vessels of the volunteer fleet. In
the middle of October last train of four
teen cars was hurriedly sent from Russia
laden with the equipment of a field hos
pital.
Russia Not Inclined to Peace.
From these military and naval prepara-
lions of every description. made during the
progress Of the negotiations, it is quite evil
dent that Russia was not inclined to a
friendly settlement of the questions then
under discussion between Japan and her
self, but sought solely by her military pre-
ponderance to force Japan into submission
During the latter part of January and up
to the beginning Of February Russian mil
itary activity was still further intensified.
On January q about two battalions of in
fa and a detachment of cavalry
sent from Port Arthur and Dalny to the
northern frontier of Korea, and on January
% formal order o prepare for war was
given by Admiral Alexieff to the forces
which were stationed in the vicinity of
the Yalu. On February the military COM
mandant at Vladivostok, under the orders
of his government, requested the japanese
commercial agent at that port to notify
his nation that as state of siege might
be proclaimed at any moment 1t must make
Immediate preparations to withdraw to
Habnrovsk. About the same date all Of
the warships at Port Arthur, except
battle ship then under repair, made naval
demonstration by leaving port, while troops
were advancing in large numbers from
Liao-yang toward the Yalu. In View of
these facts who can say that Russia had
no warlike intentions or that she was I'M
prepared for war?
Japan Acted in Self-pefense.
"Seeing that the situation had become SO
critical that it admitted Of no further de-
lay, the Japanese government was COM
PEELED to break off negotiations that had
proved abortive and to take the necessary
steps for f-protection. But the respon-
sibility for the challenge to war rests not
with Japan, but solely with Russia.
ION the 9th of February Japan announced
to Russia her decision to terminate the
pending negotiations. and to take such in
dependent action as she might deem best to
defend her position menaced by Russia, and
to protect her established rights and legiti-
mate interests. At the same time the gov 4
eminent Of Japan informed the Russian
government that as it's moderate and UNI
selfish proposals In the interest of a firm
and lasting peace in the far east had not
received the consideration which was their
due, Japan had resolved to sever her diplo-
matte relations with Russia, which, for the
reason named, had ceased to possess value,
and to withdraw her legation.
Declaration of War Not Necessary.
1.-THE term Independent action naturally
included the opening Of hostilities The
fact that Russia was unable to understand
1t in that light is, of course, no reason why
Japan should be held responsible for the