The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-02
IN JUSTICE TO JAPAN. ,
Explanation of Beginning Possibilities
 Without Declaring War.

Explanation of Beginning Possibilities
 Without Declaring War.
 Washington, March 1.-The following authorized statement, received to-day from his government, Is given out by the Japanese minister:
 The Russian government has charged Japan with having treacherously obtain ed victory by a sudden attack upon Russia who was bent on maintaining peace. It is further asserted in these communiaues that since a rupture Of diplomatic relations can never be looked upon as the progress of hostiities, ana since Japan did not issue declaration of war until the 11th of February, she has been guilty of a fragrant breach of the principles of international law In making, as early as the Sth of February, most unwarrantable attacks on Russian men of war and merchant vessels.
 The answer to these charges may be found in the action of Russia herself. That the government never entertained any sincere desire for peace can be clear Iy seen from it's own account. Throughout the whole course of the negotiations Rus sia persistently refused to meet the pro- posals made by Japan in a moderate and concillatory spirit. By delays that could not be construed as otherwise than wan ton and unnecessary she put off the set clement of the questions 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 car ry out her treaty engagement to evac- uate Manchuria are in full confirmation of these statements.
 During that time the increase made in her naval strength in the Far East was as follows: Three battleships, ton mage 3S, 4SS; one armored cruiser, tonnage TIPS; five cruisers, tonnage 26,417; seven destroyers, tonnage 2,450; one gunboat, tonnage, 1888; two vessels for laying mines, tonnage, 5000. Total number of vessels IS. with a total tonnage of s. A15.
 In addition to these vessels the Russian government sent torpedo destroyers in sections by rail to Port Arthur, where the work of putting them together has been hastened and seven have already been finished Furthermore, two vessels of the volunteer fleet were armed at Vladivos- tok and hoisted the Russian naval ensign.
 The Russian government also ordered to the Far East, one battleship, three cruisers, seven destroyers and four tor pedo boats, of a total tonnage of about 30. TAO, which would have joined the Rus sian squadron in the Far East had not the circumstances subsequently, compelled Russia to recall them. These vessels added to the others brought to the Far East during the progress of negotiations would have made a total increase in Rus sia's naval strength of about 113, 900 tons During the same period the increase of Russia's land forces in the Far East has been equally marked. Since the 29th 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 artillery battallions and a military train from Rus sia to the Far East, until at the begin ming of February the total augmented strength of the Russian forces was over 4O,OO0 At the same time plans were be- ing made for sending, if necessary, over 100000 men more.
 During the same period there has been the greatest activity possible at Port Ar thur and at Vladivostok and work has been carried on day and night to strength en the Notifications of those naval ports and forts have been built at Hun Chow Tai Yang and other strategic points and large quantities of arms and ammunition have been sent to the Far East by the Siberian Railway and the vessels of vol unteer fleet. In the middle of October last a train of fourteen cars was hur- riedly sent from Russia laden with equip ment of a field hospital.
 From these military and naval prepara- lions of every description, made during the progress of negotiations, 1t is quite evident that Russia was not inclined to a friendly settlement of the questions then