The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-02-12
WHAT LED TO RUPTURE.
Lengthy Official Communication Gives
Russian Account.

GGuAlWy SfliGlGl GiNEa
Russian Account.
st. Petersburg. Feb. 1O.-A lengthy
official communication issued today
gives the Russian account of the negO-
tiations which led to the rupture.
Last year" says the foreign office
note. the Toxic cabinet. under the
pretext Of establishing the balance OF
power and a more settled order of
things on the shores of the Pacific.
submitted TO the imperial government
a proposal for the revision of exist
ing treaties with Korea. Russia con-
scented and VicerOy Alexieff was charg-
ed 10 draw up a project for a new IN
derStanding with Japan in cooperation
with the Russian minister at Toxic.
who was entrusted with the negotia-
the Toxic cabinet on this subject were
tons with the japanese government.
Although the exchange Of views with
OF q friendly character, japanese So
cial circles and the local and foreign
press attempted in every way to pro-
duce a war-like fermsnt among the
Japanese and TO drive the government
into an armed conflict with Russia
Under the influence thereof. the Toxic
cabinet began to formulate greater
and greater demands in the negotia-
tons at the same time taking most
extensive measures 10 make the cOun-
try ready for war. All these Circum-
~ -
Russia's equanimity but they induced
her to also take military and naval
measures. Nevertheless, to preserve
peace in the Far East, Russia 80 far
rs her incontestible rights and inter
ests permitted, gave the necessary at
tentiOn TO the demands of the Toxic
cabinet. and declared herself ready TO
recognize Japan's privileged CONNER
oial and economic position in the Ko-
rean PENINSULA, with the concessions
Of the right TO protect il by military
force in the event of disturbances in
that country. At the same time, while
vigorously observing the fundamental
principle Of her policy regarding Ko-
ACo hAAOGN lAuCBCnNCuNC anu lulCETl-
ty were guaranteed by previous I'M
Outstanding with Japan and by treat
les with other powers Russia insit-
ed on three points:
i. A mutual and conditional gusran-
tee Of this principle.
?. On an undertaking to use no part
Of Korea for strategic purposes As
the authorization OF such action on
the part OF any foreign power, was
directly opposed to the principle Of in
dependence of Korea.
IS. In the preservation Of the full
freedom Of navigation OF the straits OF
Korea
The project elaborated in this sense
SID not satisfy the Japanese govern
ment which, in It's last proposals. not
only declined TO accept the conditions
which appeared as the guarantee OF
the independence OF Korea, but also
began at the same time to insist on
provisions 10 be incorporated I'm a pro-
Ject regarding the question Of Man
churis. Such questions on the part
Of Japan naturally were insdmissiSle,
the question OF RusSia'E position In
Msnchuria. concerning in the first
place, China. but also all tins powers
having commercial interests in China
The imperial government, therefore.
saw absolutely no reason TO include
in q special treaty with Japan regard
ing Korean affairs. any provision con-
corning territory occupied by Russian
troops. The imperial government. how
sveT, did not refuse, SO long as the
OF Manchuria lasts to rec
OgniEe both the sovereignty Of the en-
psror OF China in ManchurIs and also
the rights acquired there by other pow
srs through treaties with China. 4
to this effect has already
been made TO foreign cabinets. In |
view Of this the imperial government, |
after charging its representative ut
Toxic TO prevent its reply to the last
proposal OF Japan, was JUSTIFIED IN |
expecting the Toxic c8binet TO take |
into account the considerations set /
forth above and that it would sppre- |!
ciate the wish manifested by Russia |
10 come to q peaceful understanding /
with Japan. Instead OF this. the Jap /
Gnese government. not even awaiting !