Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-28
BEFORE THE RUPTURE
Some Unknown Facts About
Far Eastern Matters.
UNPUBLISHED HISTORY
TEXT OF RUSSIA'S FINAL REPLY
TO JAPAN FEB. 8, 1904.
Diplomatic Record of the Russo-Japa-
nese Relations Leading Up to
Present War

PARIS. March 2s-The Associated Press
| is in position to complete the diplomatic
| history of the Russo-Japanese relations re-
| sulting in the war by giving to the world
the exact text of Russias final reply TO
| Japan dated February ,, 1904, which has
never before been published Baron Rosen.
former Russian minister to Japan. did not
have opportunity of presenting the note
to Baron KOmura, japanese foreign min
lister, as II was not delivered 90 him until
February Z. the day after he had been
| informed of the rupture.
Russia has always claimed that the Jap
anese government. having decided TO break
off negotiations and begin hostlities, delib-
erately held up the message at Tokyo un-
til NJ. kurino former japanese min ster at
st. Petersburg could deliver the instruc-
tions sent him February to sever dip
lomatic relations. Japan, on the contrary.
contended that the contents of the reply
having been substantially communicated
by Foreign Minister Lamsdorff to NJ. Ku-
rino and being unacceptable on the main
issue fl was useless for Japan to wait any
| longer. The text of the propositions fol-
| lows:
Text of Propositions.
IA mutual engagement to respect the
Independence of territorial integrity of
Korea.
2-An engagement on the part of Russia
| no. to impede the commercial or indus
trial undertakings Of Japan in Korea nor
oppose her measures for safeguarding such
| interests.
| 3-Recognition by Russia of japanese
| prepondering interests I'm Korea and her
| right TO offer advice and assistance tending
| to the Improvement of the administration
| of Korea.
A mutual obligation not TO use any
| part of Korean territory for strategic pur-
| poses nor undertake on the coasts of Ko-
| rea any military works which menace free
naviga ton of the Korean straits
5-Recognition by Russia OF Japan's right
| to send troops to Korea. in accordance
with the preceding articles for the sup
preston OF insuTrectons and disorders cal-
| culated to create International complica-
| tionS
6-An engagement Russia to respect
| the rights and privileges acquired by
| Japan, well as other powers In Man
churia, through treaties with China, Japan
to recognize Manchuria and the llttoral as
beyond her sphere of interest.
IA mutual agreement not to impede the
junction of the Korean and eastern China
railroads when they have reached the Yalu
river.
S-That this agreement supplant all pre-
vious agreements between Russia and
Japan respecting Korea.
9-The desirability If possible, of creating
a neutral zone in Korea.
Russia's Real Position.
careful comparison Of the above and
preceding exchanges. all of which hereto
fore have been printed fully, confirms the
fact that Russia from the first to the last
insisted that it was inconsistent with her
dignity to include In a special treaty with
Japan an obligation to respect the terri
| torial integrity of China in Manchuria, re-
iterating in the instructions sent TO Baron
Rosen which were accompanied by a note
of explanation to Japan that Russia's posi-
ton in Manchuria concerned first China
n
mercial interests there, and again pointing
out the declaration already made by Rus
sia to foreign cabinets of her intention, SO
long the occupation of Manchuria con-
tinued, to recognize the sovereignty OF
China and the binding force of the treaties
contracted by the powers with the Peking
government.
With the exception of a Encouragement
and some slight verbal changes, the first
five articles are identical with those of
Russias original reply of October 3, 1903,
Russia made three concessions in the final
note as follows:
Russia's Three Concessions
1.-THE withdrawal of the provision in
the Russian note of January 6, 1904, de-
clining to recognize the settlement rights
In Manchuria acquired under treaties with
China, a point on which Japan laid great
stress. These rights Russia claimed were
acquired by Japan under cover of treaties
negotiated by the United States.
''2-Recedence from lnsistence upon the
proposition for a neutral zone in northern
Korea, but again putting forward its desir-
ability.
"3+Acceptance of the stipulation in ar
tcle three of Japans original propositions
regarding the juncture of the Korean and
Manchurian railroads"
Russia refused:
ITO include in the treaty an obligation
to respect the territorial integrity of Man
churia.
"2-To withdraw the inhibition against
using Korean territory for strategic pur-
poses"
The note, II is claimed, proves conclusive
ly that Russia hoped TO prolong the nego-
uations.