The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-02
Japan's Only Recourse Was to Begin Host|ities After Rus
 sia's UnfTiendIy Acts
TROOPS CONSTANTLY
 FASTENED EASTWARD
List of the Vessels Which Russia Placed In Eastern Waters Many Months Before Out
 break of War.

Washington, March 1.-The following authorized statement, received today from his government, is given out by the Japa- nese minister:
 .'The Russian government has charged Japan with having treacherously obtained a victory by a sudden attack upon Rus sia, who was bent on maintaining peace. It is further asserted in these communi- ques that since rupture of diplomatic relations can never be looked upon as the opening of hostilities. and since Japan did not issue a declaration of war until the 11th of February, she has been guilty of fragrant breach of the prin- ciples of international law in making as early as the Sth of February, most un- warrantable 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 clearly seen from its own conduct. Throughout the whole course of he nego- tiations. Russia consistently refused to meet the proposals made by Japan in moderate and conciliatory spirit. By de- lays that could not be construed as other wise than wanton and unnecessary, she nut off the settlement of the questions at issue. while at the same time busily ex- tending her naval and military prepara- tions.
 Made WarIike Preparations.
 s9er wariike preparationseinas the far east since last April when she failed to carry out her treaty engagement to evac- nate Manchuria, are in full confirmation of these statements. During that time' fine increase made in her naval strength in inc far east was as follows: Three battleships tonnage 3S. 4sS; one armored cruiser tonnage 7726; five cruisers, tom nape 26 AT. seven destroyers, tonnage 24o0; one gunboat tonnage 1888; two vessels TOT laying mines, tonnage 5000. Total number of vessels, nineteen; with total tonnage of S2,4l5.
 on addition to these vessels. the Rus sian 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 Vlad- ivostock and hoisted the Russian naval ensign.
 Ordered Many Vessels.
 .sThe Russian government also ordered to the far east one battleship, three cruis- CTS, seven destroyers and four torpedo boats, of total tonnage of about 30.740 which would have joined the Russian squadron in the far east had not the cir cumstanees subsequently, compelled Rus sia to recall them. These vessels if added to the others brought to the far east dur ing the progress of negotiations, would have made a total increase in Russia's na- val strength of about 113000 tons.
 nDuring the same period. the increase of Ruk 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 railway, 1he Russian government sent to China two infantry brigades. two artillery bat talions and a military train from Russia to the far east, until, al the beginning of hostilites the total augmented strength of the Russian forces was over 40,000 At the same time plans were being made for sending if necessary, over 2Oo000 men more.
 Has Been Greatest Activity.
 ssDuring the same period there has been the greatest activity possible at Port Ar thur and at vladivostock and work has been carried on day and night to strength en the Notifications of those ports, and forts have been built at Hun Chow, Lai 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 ,.nteer feet Tn the middle of October last, a train of fourteen cars was hurriedly sent from Russia laden with equipment of a field hospital
 ..From these military and naval prepa- rations of every description, made during the progress of negotiations, it Is quite evident that Russia was not inclined to A friendly settlement of the questions then under discussion between Japan and herself, but sought solely by her military preponderance to force Japan into sub- mission During the latter part of Jan uary and up to the beginning of February Russian military activity was still fur ther intensified.
 "On January g about two battalions of infantry and detachment of cavalry were sent from Port Arthur and DaIny to the northern frontier of Korea, and on January 2s formal order to prepare for war was given by Admiral Alexieff to the forces that were stationed in the vicinity of the Yalu. On February the military commandant at vladivostock under the orders of his government, requested the Japanese commercial agent at that point to notify his nation that siege might be proclaimed at any moment, and they must make immediate preparatio tions to with draw to Habinrovsk
 Made Naval Demonstration.
 sAbout the same date all of the war ships at Port Arthur except battleship then under repairs. made a naval demon stration by leaving port while troops were advanced in large numbers from T.fao Wang toward the Yalu Tn view of these facts, who can say that Russia had no war-like intentions. or that she was unprepared for war?
 s'Seeing that the situation had become so critical that 1t admitted of no further delay. the Japanese government was com