The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-02-12

tions with the Japanese government.
Although the exchange Of views with
OF a friendly character, Japanese so.
cial circles and the local and foreign
press attempted in every way to pro-
duce war-like ferment among the
Japanese and to drive the government
into an armed conflict with Russia.
Under the influence thereof, the Toxic
cabinet began to formulate greater
and greater demands in the negotia-
tlons at the same time taking most
extensive measures to make the coun-
try ready for war. All these circum-
stances could not, of course. disturb
Russia's equanimity but they induced
her to also take military and naval
measures. Nevertheless, to preserve
peace in the Far East, Russia so far
as her incontestible rights and inter-
ests permitted, gave the necessary at
tention to the demands of the Toxic
cabinet and declared herself ready to
recognize Japan's privileged CONNER
clal and economic position in the 10.
rean PENINSULA, with the concessions
or the right to protect it by military
Iorce IN the event of disturbances in
that country. At the same time. while
vigorously observing the fundamental
principle of her policy regarding Ko-
rea whose independence and integri.
ty were gu..-anteed by previous un-
derstanding with Japan and by treat
les with other powers. Russia insit-
ed on three points:
Il. A mutual and conditional guaran-
tee of this principle.
2. On an undertaking to use no part
or Korea for strategic purposes as
the authorization of such action on
the part of any foreign power. was
directly opposed to the principle of in
dependence of Korea
3. In the preservation Of the full
freedom Of navigation of the straits of
Korea.
The project elaborated in this sense
did not satisfy the Japanese govern
ment, which, in it's last proposals. not
only declined TO accept the conditions
which appeared as the guarantee of
the independence Of Korea, but also
| began at the same time to insist on
| provisions to be incorporated In a pro-
1ect regarding the question of Man
| churia. Such questions on the part
OF Japan naturally were inadmissibIe
the question of Russia's position in
Manchuria, concerning in the first
place, China, but also all the powers
having commercial interests in China
The imperial government, therefore,
saw absolutely no reason to include
In special treaty with Japan regard
ing Korean affairs, any provision con.
corning territory occupied by Russian
troops. The imperial government, how
| ever, did not refuse, so long as the
| occupation of Manchuria lasts to rec.
| ognize both the sovereignty of the EN-.
| peror of China in Manchuria and also
| the rights acquired there by other pow
ers through treaties with China. A
| declaration to this effect has already
been made to foreign cabinets. In
view of this the imperial government
after charging it's representative at
Toxic to prevent its reply to the last
proposal Of Japan, was justified in
expecting the Toxic cabinet to take
into account the considerations set
forth above and that it would appre-
ciate the wish manifested by Russia
to come to a peaceful understanding
with Japan Instead of this, the Jap
anese government, not even awaiting
this reply, decided to break off nego-
tiations and suspend diplomatic rela-
tions. The imperial government
while laying on Japan the full respon-
sibility for any consequences of such
a course of action, will await the de-
velopment Of events and the moment
1t becomes necessary, will take the
most decisive measures for the protec-
tion OF it's rights and interests in the
Far East"