The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-02
JAPANESE INDICTMENT
Of RUSSIA AND REPLY TO
CHARGES Of IREACHERY
Cars Government Shown to Have
Been Preparing for War
While Talking Peace.
DUPLICITY is ALLEGED
Extraordinary Naval and Military
Increase OF Forces During the
Late Negotiations.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-The following
authorized statement received to-day from
his government Is given out by the Jap
anese minister: 1.-The Russian government
has charged Japan with having treacherous-
~ obtained a victory by a sudden attack
upon Russia, which was bent on maintain
ing peace. 1t is further asserted in these
communiques that since a rupture of dip
1omatic relations can never be looked on as
the opening of hostilities, and since Japan
did not issue a declaration of war until the
18th Of February. she has been guilty of
fragrant breach Of the principles of interna-
tional law in making. early as the Sth
OF February, most unwarrantable attacks
on Russian men-of-war and merchant yes
sells.
''The answer to these charges may be
found in the action of Russia herself That
her government never entertained any sin
cere desire for peace can be clearly seen
from it's own conduct Throughout the
whole course of the negotiations Russia per-
eistently refused TO meet the proposals made
by Japan in moderate and conciliatory
spirit. BY delays that could not be con-
strued as otherwise than wanton and un-
necessary she put off the settlement 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 carry out her treaty engagement
TO evacuate Manchuria, in fun cOnfir-
nation of these statements. During that
time the increase made in her naval strength
IN the far East was as follows: Three
battleships, tonnage 3S,4SS; one armored
cruiser, tonnage lips; five cruisers, tonnage
26.417; seven destrOyers. tonnage 2.45O; one
gunboat, tonnage 1884; two vessels for
laying mines. tonnage GOO; total number
of vessels 10, with a total tonnage of 81 40.
In addition to these vessels the Russian
government sent torpedo destroyers In sec
lions by rail TO Port Arthur, where the
work OF putting them together has been
fastened, and seven of them have already
been completed Furthermore. two vessels
Of the volunteer feet were armed at Vladi-
vostok and hoisted the Russian naval en-
sign The Russian government also ordered
70 the far East one battleship. three cruis-
ers, seven destrOyers and four torpedo
boats of a total tonnage Of about 1910,
which would have Joined the Russian squad
ron In the far East had not the circum-
stances subsequently compelled Russia TO
recall them. These vessels, il added to the
others brought TO the far East during the
progress of negotiations, would have made
a total increase In Russia's naval strength
of about 113,000 TONS
INCREASE IN LAND FORCES.
During the same period the increase of
Russia's land forces in the far East has
been equally marked. Since the 18th of last
June, when under the pretext of trial trans
portation on the Siberian Railway, the Rus
sian government sent to China two infantry
brigades, two artillery battalions and a mil
itary train from Russia to the far East,
until at the beginning of February the total
Augmented strength of the Russian forces
was over 1000 At the same time plans
were being made for sending, if necessary,
over 10000 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 strengthen
the Notifications of those naval ports, while
forts have been built at Hun-Chun, Lao
Yam 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 the volunteer
fleet. In the middle of October last a train
OF fourteen cars was hurriedly sent from
Russia loaded with the equipment OF
field hospital.
Prom these military and naval prepara-
lions of every description, made during the
progress Of negotiations, it is quite evil
dent that Russia was not inclined to a
friendly settlement OF the questions then
under discussion between Japan and her.
self, but sought solely by her military pre-
ponderance to force Japan into submission
During the latter part of January and up
TO the beginning of February Russian mil
itary activity was still further intensified
On Jan. q about two battalionS of infan-
try and a detachment of cavalry were sent
from Port Arthur and Dalny to the north
ern frontier of Korea, and on Jan. % for-
NAL order to prepare for war was given
Dy Admiral AIexieff to the forces which
were stationed in the vicinity of Yalu.
JAPANESE WARNED.
ION Feb. 1 the military commandant at
- Valdivostok, under the orders of his gov
eminent. requested the Japanese CONNER
cial agent at that port to notify his nation
thar state of siege might be proclaimed
at any moment they must make immediate
preparation to withdraw to Habnrovsk
About the same date all of the warships
at Port Arthur, except battleship then
under repairs, made a naval demonstra-
ton by leaving port, while troops were
advanced in large numbers from Liao-Yang
toward the Yalu.
I'm view of these facts who can say that
Russia had no warlike intentions or that
she was unprepared for war? Seeing that
the situation had become so critical that
IL admitted of no further delay the Jana
nese government was compelled to break
OF negotiations that had proved abortive
and TO take the necessary steps for self
protection. But the responsibility for the
Challenge TO war rests not with Japan, but
ION the 9Th of February Japan an
nounced TO Russia her decision to termfna te
the pending negotiations and to take such
independent action as she might deem
best 10 defend her position menaced by
Russia and to protect her established rights
and legitimate interests. At the same time
the government of Japan informed the Rus
sian government tnat as Its moderate and
unselfish proposals in the interests OF a
firm and lasting peace in the far East had
not received the consideration which was
their due. Japan had resolved to sever dip
lomatic relations with Russia. which for
the reason named. had ceased 10 possess
value. and 10 withdraw her legation
The term, independent action naturally
included the opening of hostiities The
fact that Russia was unable 10 under
stand in that light is. OF course. no reason
why Japan should be held responsible for
the misnterpretatiOn made by Russia 1t
IS the almost unanimous opinion of inter
national jurists that declaration of war
Is not an Indispensable prerequisite 10 the
opening Of hOstilities. Indeed. il has been
tine common practice in recent wars to de-
clare war after hOstilities have been begun
Japan's action. therefore. is not open to the
least criticism in this regard. From the
standpoint OF International law il must he
unedstOOd that the charge made against
her does not come with good grace from
Russia. inasmuch there are not ONLY
many historical instances of Russia herself
resorting 10 hOstilities without DECLARING
war. but one case, that of her invasion OF
FINLAND in 1903, when she began war he
fore there had even been a rupture of
Diplomatic rela tons.