The Washington times., 1904-02-10

and integrity Of Korea and
to safeguard her paramount interests
therein, the Japanese government finGs
il impossible TO view with indifference
any action endangering the position OF
Korea. Russia, Notwithstanding ner
solemn treaty with China and her re-
pedted assurances TO the powers. con-
tinucs in occupation of Manchurla ard
las even taken aggressive measures on
Korean territory Should NIanchuria be
annexed to Russia the independence OF
Korea would naturally be impossible
Therefore. being DESTROYS OF securing
the permanent peace Of eastern Asia ~
means of direct negotiations with Rus
STA. intended to secure a friendly ad
justment Of all questions relating to
Manchuria and Korea, where the in.
terests OF Japan and Russia meet, the
Japanese government toward the end
Of last July acJressed the Russian gov
eminent in that sense and invited it to
confer upon the subject.
Japan's August Note.
'-rhe Russian government. having ex
pressed its willingness to enter into ne
eotiations. the japanese government on
,he 18TH of last August, through its
minister ut St Petersburg, proposed
basis OF agreement, which was substar-
TALLY. as follows:
''First-A mutual engagement to re-
spect the independence and territorial
integrity of China and Korea.
'.second-A mutual engagement Ia
maintain the principle of equal oppor-
tunity for the commerce and industry
Of all nations in those countries.
Reciprocal Recognition.
,r In
pans preponderating interests in Korea
and Of Russia's special interests in rail-
way enterprises in blanchuria, and mu-
tual recognition OF Tie right Of Japan
and Russia. respectively. TO take meas-
uIcs for the protection Of the above
mentioned interests in so far as such
measures did not violate the principle
enuuciated in Article /.
'.F6urth-Recognition by Russia Of the
exclusive right OF japan to give advice
3nd assistance to Korea in the interests
Of reform and good government.
"Fifth-An engagement on the part
Of Russia not to impede the eventual
extension OF the Korean railway TO
southern Manchuria 81 as 10 connect
with the East China and Shanhaikwan-
Niuchwang lines.
1T was the original intention of the
Japanese government to have the ne
gotiations take place at st. Petersburg.
80 that their progress might be f'-cili-
.ated and satisfactory solution reach
d as quickly as possible. But the Rus
sian government absolutely refused TO
comply with this desire. on the plea
af the Cars journey abroad and for
several other reasons 1t was. there
fore. necessary to conduct the negotia-
ions at Tokyo. but it was not until
October 3 that the Russian government
replied 10 the proposals of August y
and presented counter proposals.
Wanted Neutral Zone
~ the counter proposals the Russian
government positively refused 10 make
any engagements to respect the sover-
| eighty and territorial integrity OF China
\ in Manchuria or TO agree 70 any stipu-
lation for the maintenance of the prin-
ciple Of equal opportunities FOR the com
merce and industry of all nations there
| and requested Japan TO declare Man
churia and its littoral entirely without
her sphere of influence.
THE Russians also proposed to re-
strict Japans liberty OF action in Korea
in various ways. For instance. while
recognizing Japan's right TO send troops
TO Korea when necessary for the pro-
lection OF her interests. Russia refused
20 allow her to use any portion Of
Korean territory for strategic purposes
l'of any description. In fact. the Russian
government went so far as 10 propose
the establishment Of a neutral zone in
c = ling all Korean territory north of
| the thirty-ninth parallel
Japan's Interests.
The japanese government failed tc
see why Russia, who professed no IN
tention OF absorbing Manchuria. should
be disinclined TO insert in the conven.
ton a clause in harmony with her owr
repeatedly declared principle respecting
the sovereignty and territorial integ
rity Of China. Her refusal impressed
upon the japanese government all tn,
more strongly the necessity of such 9
stipulation as it had suggested. japan
has important commercial interests n
Manchuria and entertains no small hop
Of their future development. Politically
she has even more important interests
| because Of Manchuria's conuguity tc
Korea and the relations existing be-
tween the two. Therefore the japanese
government could not possibly recog
nize Manchuria as being entirely with.
] IT..
that reason it felt compelled absoluteI,
to reject the Russian proposal in tht.
Z behalf
The japanese government eXplaine
| these Views TO the Russian government
and at the same time suggested Other
necessary amendments to the Russian
counter proposals As regards the neu-
trail zone it was proposed that If ont
were created IL should be established
on both sides OF the boundary line be
tween Korea and Manchuria, with ~
equal width on either side of say fifty
kilometers After full discussion al
Tokyo the japanese. on the Both of las
October. finally presented to Russia
their definite amendments.
Playing for Time.
Although the Russian government
was frequently urged for a reply non,
was sent until the 18th of last Decem
Der In that reply the Russian govern
ment insisted upon the suppression o
all clauses relating to Manchuria. thus
making the proposed agreement relate
exclusively 10 Korea. and maintained
the original demand relative 10 the non
employment Of Korean territory FOL
strategic purposes and the establish
ment Of a neutral zone in Korean ter,
|