New-York tribune., 1905-08-19
RIGHT TO SAGH4LIEN.
Russian Correspondent Replies to
J0Ddnesc Statement.

Portsmouth y H. Aug 1S-Having read the
statement from d Japanese member of Parliament
made few davs ago giving the japanese attitude
regarding Saghalien. Alexandra Briantchaninof
correspondent of the "Slovo." of ST. Petersburg
voicing the Russian exceptions to the statement
said to-day:
One Of the great bars to the conclusion sic, .,a Of
civilized world. the difference between the pleni-
polentiaries the question of Saghallen The
ganic part of their empire They say it only came
into Russas possession thr9ngh = force az ana lama 1aa'
as she has shown her inability TO exploit It's re
ess s 9n oPe they say on the
contrary. have always considered themselves the
qsest. viii never submit to Sreiinquishng it.
or course II Is certain tnat me japanese, OC5
there much more than the Russian government
trial and coionizing way but especially in a mill
tary and strategic way.
We cannot deny that the success OF their arms
has given them certain claims to the island but
soss are csn 'hs & only b asnzed hfy % and po
q treaty; n is an error for them TO claim his
cent1ry the island vas nhahited only nv the native
barharic tribes. Then few Russian colonists
The japanese began fishing the waters of the
southern end of the island Some very small FISH
the island Propositions --er,. made to divide
made any claim the whole of the island and
their political interests here were limited that
in 1855 (tresty Of symodo and 1s1s treaty Of St
Petersburg the japanese only asked the demita-
tion of the frontier between the DOssessione at
the extreme south of island
In 1873 the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs
Soiessna, proposed 10 Russia cede the Jananese
part of the island in exchange for Russian neutraI
iiy during the war of conquest which they then
contemplated against Cores. and final, I'm 1874 IL
was the Japanese who transferred tho po1rps rIers
rsgarding the island 10 St Petersburg and broueh
them 10 conclusion receiving. n return for their
possessions in South Sagbalien the Russian K,rier
They never claimed that they were forced 10 Inc
exchange. NO one In Japan protested against This
treaty their fishing interests i'm the yratSrs ~ tbe
island having been fully protected 'Shnv then
made no prefensions 10 colonization there a. tha,,
had not vet completed the colonization of the most
northerly Of their own group of islands Hnkkaido
instead OF desiring to extend their colonization
efforts northwsrd they had turned their eyes TO the
more alIurlng prospects 10 the west ana Soutb =
Cores, Formosa and the Philippines
The claim 80 historical and national rtqbte ~
the island are therefore not warranted Tba
Japanese. IN word. seeking TO profit bv thajr
present Success completely and definitely Ia assure
the paramount position in the Far East sarhalien
IN their HANDS means Niadivostok Russlas sole ana
insufficient base on the Pacific, the mercy Of
Japan. Nladivostock could be attacked from fbrea
sides Russia would no longer have the possibility
~ resisting Japanese encroa merits A. her hidd,n
she would ne compelled 10 withdraw from her pnsi>
ton ii The Orient
Jspan's desire for saghaleu Is easily coiapre-
headed. BUs II 10 impossible 10 understand the