The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-01-07
JAPAN RISKS ALL TO SAVE.
INTERNATIONAL. TRADE.

Toxic, Jan. GA high authority to-day
made the following explanation. Of the
status of the far Eastern question:
"1he statement that Russia has made
concessions to Japan is not exact. On the
contrary, Russia, In the month of Octo-
ber. made certain concessions. which were
accepted by Japan. subsequently with
drew them and assumed an attitude which
left the japanese little hope Of reach
ing an agreement.
1.-The japanese Government. confident
in the declarations of disinterestedness in
Manchur;a made by Russia and recogniz-
ing Russias special interests In that
region. wished to regulate, once for all.
all questions in the far East. In the inter-
est of future peace and tranquility. To
this end Japan made the following pro-
posals: =, ~
RESPECT INTEGRITY ..-..
a. Russia and Japan should mutually
respect the independent and territorial in
tegiity of China:.and Korea. a sssE
20. To recognize reciprocally-Japah. the
special interests of Russia in Manchuria; |;
Russia. the special interests of Japan in
Korea.
'.3 To engage mutually not to infringe
Japan, the commercial rights and immuni-
ties acquired by Russia in Korea; Russia,
the commercial rights and immunities ,ac-
quired By Japan in Manchuria.
IN making the third proposition Japan
wished not only 10 protect her own rights
in China and those of Russia in Korea,
but 70 consecrate by the plan OF equality
of treatment the commercial rights of all
nations IN Korea and China.
FOR A NEUTRAL ZONE.
RUSSIA declined the japanese PROPOSE
tions and submitted a counter proposition
which contained clause providing for the
creation of a neutral zone extending from
the China Korean frontier to Wong-Tan
on the east and to Ping-Yang on the
west. The zone comprised almost third
of Korea
This Russian pretension took from Ja-
pan all guarantee of the protection of her
rights in Manchu-ia and sequestrated
considerable part of Korea. where, with
out contradiction, Japan's interests pre-
poEderate and which every nation recog-
nizes as being within the legitimate sphere
C. Japan.
THE proposal exasperated japanese
public opinion Japan could not accept
the proposal for these reasons:
81 The definite occupation by Russia
of Manchuria would be permanent mem
ace to the Independence of Korea, which
Japan must prevent at any price, for
Korea is on advance post Of Japan's line
of defense and the safety of Korea is a
condition sire qua non Of her own Sc
curity.
''2. Japan has. as other Powers. rights
and immunities in Manchuria, by virtue
OF treaties with China. These rights and
immunities cannot be left to the mercy of
Russia. The refusal OF Russia to examine
the Manchurian question denoted on her
part the intention not to observe the
rights of all nations in that region. Most
evident among other proofs Of this inten-
ton on the part of Russia were the occu-
patton of An-Tung-Tcheng and the re-
occupation of Mukden-
Every one knows that by the new
treaties concluded with the United States
and Japan with China one city and. two
ports were to be opened to the commerce
OF the world. An-Tung-Tcheng and Muk-
den were the two points chosen. BY the
occupation of these ports Russia prevented
China from fulfilling the obligations Of her
treaties.
In Korea. equally. acts OF Russia have
had. as a result. the closing Of thee Yal0
River TO foreign commerce. Japan asked
Korea. simultaneously with the pnited
States and Great Britain. to open this re-