Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-10
AIexanoria Gazeffe.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEB. TO- 1904.
rHE RrssIAN sTANDPOINT.

:
the Russian account of the negotiations
which led to the rupture.
Last year." says this foreign ONCE
note. "the Toxic cabinet under the pre-
text of establishing the balance OF power
and more settled order of things on the
shores of the Pacific, submitted to the
imperial government a proposal for re-
vision of the existing treaties with Korea.
Russia consented and Viceroy Alexlen
was charged to draw up project Tor
new understanding with Japan in CO.
oneration with the Russian Minister at
TOXIC. who was entrusted with the ne
ootiations with the japanese government
"Although the exchange OF views with
the Toxic cabinet on the subject was OF
a friendly character, japanese social CIR
cles and the local and foreign press at
tempted in every way to produce war
like ferment among the japanese and to
drive the governmentinto an armed con-
Aict with Russia. Under the influence
thereof the Toxic cabinet began to iormu-
late greater and greater demands in the
negotiations, at the same time taking
most extensive measures to make the
country ready for war.
"All these circumstances could not, OF
course, disturb Russia's equanimity, but
they induced her also to take military and
naval measures. Nevertheless, topreserye
peace in the far East, Russia, so far AS
her incontestable rights and Dterest' per-
mited, gave the necessary attention TO
the demands of the Toxic cabinent and
declared herself ready to recognize ia
pans privileged commercial and eco
homie position in the Korean peninsula,
with the concession of the right to pro-
teet it by military force in the event OF
disturbances in that country. At the
same time, while vigorously observing
the fundamental principle of her policy
regarding Korea, whose independence
and integrity were guaranteed by pre-
yious understandings with japan and by
treaties with other powers, Russia insist
ed on three points:
"One-On mutual and uncondition-
al guarantee of this principle.
6Two-On an undertaking to use no
part of Korea for strategic purposes, as
the authorization of such action on the
part of any foreign power was directly
opposed to the principle of the inddepen-
dence Of Korea.
"Three-On the preservation OF the full
freedom of navigation Of the straits OF
Korea.
"The project elaborated in this sense
did not satisfy the japanese government,
which, in its last proposals, not only de-
clined to accept the conditions which ap-
peared as the guarantee Of the independ-
ence of Korea, but also began at the same
time to insist on provisions to be incor-
porated in project regarding the ques-
ton of Manchuria. Such damands on
the part of Japan, naturally were mad
Missile, hequestion of Russia 5 position
in Manchuria, concerning in the first
place China, but also all the powers hav-
ing commercial interests in China.
"The imperial government, therefore,
saw absolutely no reason to include in
special treaty with Japan regarding ko-
rean affairs, any provisions concerning
territory occupied by Russian troops. The
imperial government, however, did not
refuse, so long as the occupation of Man
churia lasts, to recognize both the soyer-
eighty of the Emperor of China in Man
churia and also the rights acquired there
by the other powers through treaties with
China. A declaration to this effect had
already been made to the foreign cabinets.
'1n view of this the imperial govern
ment, after charging its representative
at Toxic to present its reply to the last
proposal of Japan, was justified in e1-
pecting the Toxic cabinet to take into
account the considerations set forth above
and that it would appreciate the wish
manifested by Russia to come to apeace-
full understanding with japan. Instead
of this the japanese government, not
even awaiting this reply, decided to
break off negotiations and to suspend
diplomatic relations.
"The imperial government, while lay
ing on Japan the full responsibility for
any consequences of such a course of
action, will await the development of
events and the moment it becomes neces-
sary will take the most decisive measures
for the protection of its rights and inter
ests in the far East.