Arizona republican., 1904-01-07
ALL BUT BEGUN
War in the Far East is a
 Certain Thing
JAPAN'S EXPLANATION
Russia Has Ceased to Pretend Peace and Her Newspapers Are Now Showing tbe Reasons Why War Has Become Necessary.

Tokio, Jan. GA high Japanese au- thority today made the following eX- planation of the status of the far east i orn question:
 : "The statement that Russia has made concessions to Japan is not exact. On l the contrary, Russia, in the month of October. made certain concessions which were accepted by Japan, and subsequently, withdrew them and as sumed an attitude which left the Jap anase little hope in the way of reach ing a satisfactory agreement. The | Japanese government confident in the declarations of disinterestednezs in Manchuria made by Russia and re- cognizing Russia's special interests in that region, wished to regulate once for all, questions in the far east in the ! interest of future peace and tranquil 1 ity. To this end Japan made the fol- lowing proposals:
 First Russia and Japan should mu tually respect the independence and territorial integrity of China and l Corea.
 "Second. To recognize reciprocally- by Japan, the special interests of Rus ! 1 cial interests of Japan In Corea.
 Third. To engage mutually not to nfringe-Japan, upon the commercial rights and immunities acquired by Russia in Corea: Russia, upon the | commercial rights and immunities ac- quired by Japan in Manchuria.
 "In making the third proposition, Japan was not only to protect her rights in China and those of Russia in : Corea. but to consecrate by the prinoi- pal of equality, the commercial rights of all nations in Corea and China. Russia declined the Japanes proposi i tiOns and submitted a counter propo- stion which contained a clause pro- viding for the creation of a neutral zone extending from the China-Corea frontier to Wong Tan. on the east, and to Ping Yank on the west. The zone comprised almost a third of Corea.
 This Russian pretension took from Japan all guarantee of protection of her rights in Manchuria and seques- trated a considerable part of Corea. where. without contradiction, Japan- csc interests preponderate, and which every nation recognizes as being with in the legitimate sphere of Japan.
 "The proposal exasperated Japanese public opinion. Japan could not accept the proposals for these reasons:
 First. The definite occupation by Russia of Manchuria would be a per manent menace to the independence of 1 Corea. which Japan must prevent at any price. for Corea is an advance post of Japan's line of defense and the safe | ty of Corea is condition sine qua non ! of her own security.
 Second. Japan has, as other powers rights and immunities in Manchuria, by virtue of treaties with China. These rights and immunities cannot be left 70 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 intention on the part of Russia | were the occupation of Yang Tung 1 Tcheng and the recoccupation of Muk- den. Every one knows that by the new treaties concluded by the United States and Japan with China one city and two ports were to be opened to the | commerce of the world. Yang Tung l Tcheng and Mukden were the two points chosen. By the occupation of 1 these ports, Russia prevented China from fulfilling the obligations of her | treaties.
 In Corea. the acts of Russia have 1 had the result of the closing of the Yaku river to foreign commerce.
 Japan asked Corea- simultaneously with the United States and Great Britain to open this region to inter- national commerce. In occupying Tong Wang Pou, (Jobampo) the only port in north Corea. Russia paralyzed ! the realization of this project. Japan | then had reason to fear that letting Russia alone would result in closing l the Yellow sea and the interior of Manchuria to international commerce.
 Tn struggling with all her force against the pretensions of Russia in the far east, Japan works not only for | herself but for all nations.
 Japan does not ignore the dangers and risks of an armed conflict with Russia and does not embark upon it i with a light heart.