The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-10
JAPAN's RAILWAY MATERIAL.
An Explanstisn o. the Largo Purchases
in This County.


To TIE EDITION OF THE SUN--Sir: I notice
that there IL . tendency TO look with sus-
pacion on the recent extensive purchase OF
railway material In this country by tho jap
sness Government, especially a. the busi-
ness was conducted with - much secrecy as
possible. and the material u now known to
b intended for the immediate completion
Of the railway connecting Wlju. on tho Yalu
vs with na. There ere two sI
reasonable and make 1t quite unnecessary
to doubt the Japanese assurances as to the
future OF Manchuria:
I. This railway was considered by both
the Japanese and Russian governments a.
one Of the most important subjects Of dis
cussion In their diplomatic correspondence
Just preceding the present war. In the
nrst list Of proposals submitted to Russia on
Aug. 3. 1905. there were six points raised by
japan. In the third OF these she asked: AN
engagement on the part OF Russia not to
Impede the eventual extension Of the Corean
railway into southern Manchuria. 30 az to
connect with the East China and Shanhai-
kwan-Newohwans lines" On Aug. % Count
Lamsdorh informed the Japanese Minister
at 6t. Petersburg that the question OF jap
anese railway enterprise In Manchuria would
be diniouit but upon other points perhaps
the Russian Government would be able to
come to an understandings
In Russia's counter proposals. which were
delayed until Oct. s. no notice was taken Of
the railway question except by implied re-
jectten. for the seventh proposal demands
recognition by Japan OF Msnchuria and lts
lttoral a. in. all repects outside her sphere Of
interest"
In her reply Of Oct. 80 Japan struck out
Russia's seventh proposal and substituted
one which recognized her commercial free
ANvNN In hnria nd ali dad ~
Russia -mutual engagement not to impede
the connection Of the Corean railway and the
East China railway when those railways az
In this modified form after further dis
ON ony
parent. however, a. the other Russian pro
Posals were such q would have left TIE
japanese no interests anywhere near the
For better understanding Of the japanese
attitude on this railway question one has only
With China and Russia In 1901 and 1902 1t
VIII there Be seen that II was the settled pnr.
Of h s 9, GbiS..s to
churia. Bhe made that one Of the conditions
Of her evacuation Of Msnch1rla. trying TO
sve1 a4a 20 sonnees Viz
The northern branch Of the railway was left
alton. Japan Is now in control, instead Of
Russia. She has swept the Muscovite on o.
the Ysiu 1 What woSd BE- 'a more s natural
therefore, than that she should desire. while
abe is IN FUN control of the situation, to com.
pIete tnose railway Snn neh
q he eofs.n and East China
railways SO important at a time, when she
was prepared TO acknowledge the prepon- |
Se doe. Of R nssa in
motive now that that in fuence Is removed.
3 The desire 70 complete the road at this
time. and with all possible speed, Is based on
p %ty ,Sss IL. os sesreSy al Of as
movements. To keep from the enemy as
long as may be the knowledge that this new
line, Of communication is soon TO be added
to the others that Japan already possesses
ing that new army Is being organized.
The war is not over; the Russians still
occupy pore than two.thirds Of Manchnria;
v Sss s' L ho viii AXE long time and vast
army TO expel them from this position for q
year or possibly years TO- come several hun:
dred Thousand men may have to be supplied
food and OF yo a X on
base. The early completion Of the road
from win to Llaoyans will be of immense
help to the Japanese military operations.
n 60 bs w IN W. fS
conn ected with the East china railway at |
Mukden. Russia drew large part of her sup
piles from this line until she was driven from
Mukden last March. twill now help to supply
Wv think he above facts and reasons SUN
ciently exrain the extensive and secret"
purchase Of railway material In this country
with out .sscrlblns Interior motives to Japan.
Au0 Il