The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-02
JAPAN
ANSWERS
RUSSIA.

Washington, March 2--Japan yester-
day answered Russia's charge that she
was guilty OF treacherous conduct in be-
ginning hostilites before a declaration
OF war. The answer was telegraphed In
full from Toxic TO Mr.. Takahira, the Jap
anese minister here.
The Japanese statement:
The Russian government has charged
Japan with having treacherously obtain
ed a victory by a sudden attack upon
Russia, who was bent upon maintaining
peace. II Is further asserted that since
a ppture OF diplomatic relations can
never be looked upon as the opening of
hostilities, and since Japan did not issue
a declaration of war until Feb. IL, she
has been guilty OF n fragrant breach OF
the principles OF international law In
making, as early as Feb. s, most unwar-
rantable attacks on Russian men-of-war
and merchant vessels.
The answer OF these charges may be
found in the action OF Russia herself.
That her government never entertained
any sincere desire for peace can be clear
ly seen from her own conduct. Through
out the whole course of the negotiations
Russia persistently refused TO meet the
proposals made by Japan In moderate
and conciliatory spirit BY delays tnat
could not be construed as otherwise than
wanton and unnecessary, she put on the
settlement of the questions at issue, while
az the same time busily extending her
naval and military preparations. Her
warltke preparations in the Far East
since last April, when she failed TO carry
out her treaty agreements to evacuate
Manchuria, are In full confirmation OF
those statements. During that time the
increase made In her naval strength In
the Far East was as follows;
Three battleships, tonnage &.4Ss; one
armored cruiser, tonnage I'fO' hVe
cruisers, tonnage 26,4l1; seven oestroyers'
tonnage Q 49, one gunboat, tonnage l'So4'
two vessels for laying mines tonnage
5000 Total number OF vessels 10, with
total tonnage OF SAD.
In addition to these vessels the Russian
government sent torpedo destroyers III
sections by rail TO Port Arthur. where
the work OF putting them together has
been FASTENED and seven OF them nave
already been completed Furthermore
two vessels OF the volunteer fleet were
armed at Vladivostok and hoisted the
Russian naval ensign. The Russian gov
ernment also ordered to the Far East one
battleship. three cruisers seven destroy
ers and four torpedo boats, or a total ton
mage of about 30,7i0, which would nave
ioined the Russian squadron in the Far
East during the progress of negotiations,
would have made a total increase In
Russia's naval strength Of about 11S,ooO
tons.
During the same period the increase
of Russia's land forces in the Far East
were equally marked. Since the 2Sth OF
last June. when. under the pretext OF
trial transportation on the Siberian rail-
way. the Russian government sent to
China two infantry brigades, two ar
tillery battalions, and a 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
was over Zoo. At the same time plans
we're being made for sending, IL neces-
sary. over 100000 more.
From these military and naval prepara-
tions OF every description. made during
the progress OF the negotiations, IL Is
quite evident that Russia was not in
clined 10 n friendly settlement OF the
questions then under discussion between
Japan and herself. but sought solely by
her military preponderance 20 force
Japan into submission.
During the latter part OF January and
up TO the beginning OF February Russian
military activity was still further inten-
sifed. on Jan. n about two battalions Of
infantry and a detachment OF cavalry
were sent from Port Arthur and Dalny 10
the northern frontier OF Corea, and on
Jan. % formal order TO prepare for war
was given by Admiral Alexieff 10 the
forces which were stationed I'm the vicin-
ity Of the Yalu. on Feb the military
commandant at Vladivostok under the
orders OF his government, requested the
Japanese commercial agent at that port
TO notify his nationals that as a state OF
siege might be proclaimed az any moment
they must make Immediate preparations
20 withdraw 90 Habzrovsk About the
same date all OF the warships at Port Ar
thur. except battlcship then under re-
pairs. made a naval demonstration by
leaving port. while troops were advanced
I'm large numbers from Liao-Yang toward
the Yalu. In view OF these facts. who can