The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-06
JAPAN. NOW HAS
RUSs'IA'S REPLY !: J.
~ -Fet' ---t ID
Continued from First Page.
nd territorial integrity of China and

and territorial integrity of China and
Korea.
Second-To recognize reciprocally-
Japan the special interests of Russia
In Manchuria, Russia-the special in
terests Of Japan in Korea.
Thtrd--To engage mutually not to
infringe -Japan. the commercial
rights and immunities acquired by
Russia in Korea; Russia-the COM
mercial rights and immunities &C
quired by Japan in Manchuria-
In making the third !! proposition
Japan wished not only to- protect her
own rights in China and those OF Rus
STA In Korea, but to consecrate by the
principle of equality Of treatment the
commercial rights of all nations in
Korea and China. sass -aS
The Russian Reply.
Russia declined the Japanese propo-
sitions and submitted counter-propo-
sition which contained a clause pro-
viding for the creation Of a neutral
zone extending from the China-Ko-
rean frontier to Wongtan on the east
ana 70 King I ang on the west. The
zone comprised almost a third of
Korea.
This Russian pretensien took from
Japan all guarantee sofs t1fe protection
or her rights in Manchuria and Sc
questrated a considerable part Of Ko-
rea where, without contradiction, ia
pans interests preponderate and
WHICH every hatlon recognizes as be-
ing within the legitimate sphere of
Japan. E7"s',7 = -
The proposal has exasperated ia
panese public opinion. Japan could
not accept it for these seasons:
Reasons for Refusal,
First-The definitive Occupation by
RUSSIA OF Manchuria would be a per-
manent menace to the, independence
OF Korea, which Japan must preserve
at any price, for Korea, is an advance
post or Japans line of defense and the
safety of Korea is condition sine qua
non of her own security.
Second-Japan has, as other powers,
rights and immunities in Manchurfa
by virtue of treaties with China,
Ihese rights and immunities cannot
be left to the mercy of Russia. The
refusal OF Russia to examine the Man
churlan, question denoted on her part
the intention not to observe the rights
or all nations in that region. Most
evident among other proofs of this
intention on the part of Russia were
the occupation of Ang-Tung-Tcheng
and the re-occupation Of Mukden.
ny the new treaties concluded by
China, one city and two ports We're to
be opened to the commerce of the
world. Ang-Tung-Tcheng and. Muk-
den were the two points chosen. BY
the occupation of these ports Russia
prevented China from fulfilling the
obligations of her treaties.
Interference in Korea.
In Korea also acts Of Russia have
mad, as result, the closing of the
Yalu river to foreign commerce. ia
pan asked Korea, simultaneously
with the United States and Great Bri-
tain, to open this region to interna-
tlonal commerce. In Occupying Yong
Wang-Pou (Yon-G the only
port IN north Korea, Russia paralyzed
the realization Of this project japan
then had reason to fear that letting
Russia alone would result in closing
the YelloW sea and the interior of
Manchuria to interna tional commerce,
In struggling: with, all her force
against the pretensions,: ofa Russia, in
the far east,+sJapan works not; only, for
herself but for all najions.rs Japan
does not ignore the ;da4 tigers, and risks
OF an armed conflict With Russia. and
does not embark upon1it with a light
heart or as a fanfaronade. 1t. WILDE
less asstruggle between races THAR a
contest for the preservation Of inter-
-