The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-03-02
JAPAN REEUTES RUSSlA'S CHARGE
THAT SHE VIOLATED LAW OF NATIONS

Washington, March 1.-The following au-
thorized statement, received to-day from
his Government. is given out by the jap
anese Minister:
"The Russian Government has charged
Japan with having treacherously obtained
a victory by sudden attack upon Rus
sia. who was bent upon maintaining
peace. It Is further asserted in these
communications that, since a rupture Of
diplomatic relations can never be looked
upon as the opening Of hosilities. and
sincs Japan did not issue declaration of
war until the 18th Of February. she has
been guilty of fragrant breach Of the
principles OF international law in making
as early as the 9Th Of February most un-
warrantable attacks on the Russian mem
of-war and merchant vessels.
ANSWER TO CHARGES
IN RUssIA's CONDUCT.
Tho answer to these charges may be
found in the action Of Russia herself.
That her Government never entertained
any sincere desire for peace can be clear
ly seen from Its own conduct. Throughout
the whole course of the negotiations Rus
sia persistently refused to meet the pro-
posals made by japan in a moderate and
ccnciliatory spirit. By delays that could
not be construed otherwise than as wan
ton and unnecessary. she put of the set
tlement OF the questions at issue, while
at the same time busily extending her
naval and military preparations.
Tier warlike preparations in the far
East since last April. when she failed to
carry out her treaty engagement to evac-
uate Manchuria. are in full confirmation
Of these statements. During that time the
increase made IN her naval strength in
the far East was as follows:
Three battleships, tonnage 2S4Ss; one
armored cruiser, tonnage 7,72s; five cruis-
ers, tonnage 26.417; seven destroyers, ton
mage 2.45o; one gunboat, tonnage 1884; two
vessels for laying mines, tonnage 5000;
total number of vessels 10, with total
tonnage OF 50, ,416
In addition to these vessels. the Russian
Government sent torpedo destroyers In
sections by rail to Port Arthur, where the
work of putting them togethef has been
FASTENED, and seven of them have alrady
been completed. Furthermore, two vessels
OF the volunteer feet were armed at Vlad-
iyostok and hoisted the Russian naval en-
Sign.
The Russian Government also ordered
to the far East one battleship, three
cruisers, seven destroyers and four tor
pedo boats, of total tonnage OF about
3O74O. which would have Joined the Rus
sian squadron In the far East had not cir
cuulstances subsequently compelled Russia
to recall them. These vessels, il added to
the others, brought to the far East dur
Ing the progress OF negotiations, would
have made total increase in Russia's
naval strength of about 11s,0Oo tons.
ACTIVITY OF LAND
FORCES Equally MARKED.
During the same period the Increase
Of Russia's land forces in the far East
has been equally marked. Since the 2eth
OF last June, when under the pretext of
trial transportation on the Transsiberian
Railway, the Russian Government sent 10
China two infantry brigades, two artillery
battalions and a large force Of cavalry
troops have been constantly sent by mill
tary trains from Russia to the far East,
until at the beginning of February the
total augmented strength of the Russian
forces was over 10000. At the same time
plans were being made for sending. If
necessary, over 10000 men more.
During the same period there has been
the greatest activity possible at Port Ar
thur. and at vladfvostok and work has
been carried on day and night 10
strengthen the Notifications of these naval
ports, while forts have been built at Hun
Chun, Lao Yang and other strategic
points, and large quantities of arms and
ammunition have been sent to the far