The Delta independent., 1905-07-07
HOW THE WAR STARTED
Events Leading Up ia. the Japan
Russian War.

In view of the present negotiations
looking to the conclusion of the war be-
tween Russia and Japan, short history
of events leading up to the war. pre-
pared from the highest sources, is in
teresting and oppertune:
Admiral Alexieff telegraphed to the
car on Dec. "a, 1903, from Port Arthur.
informing his majesty that the Japanese
were preparing to establish a protector
ate over the Korean government. and
needless of any diplomatic representa-
tions by Russia. Probably only 1900
or q, 900 troops would be landed; but
the whole japanese feet and the rest
Of the army were ready for war. which
the admiral observed. constituted a
grave danger for Russia.
Admiral Alexieff warned the car that
the japanese would forestall the Rus
SLAMS On Yalu and the roads leading to
the Eastern Chinese railway, which
would rum all of Russia's plans and
force her to centralize any eventual
operations farther to the north and
leave Port Arthur to its fate. Such
good fortune for Japan at the COM
mencement of the campaign would
cause rising of ali the elements hos
tile TO Russia in northern China. who.
relying on the proximity Of the Japan
ese army. would be serious menace
to the Russion railway. A japanese
occupation of Korea, however small the
number Of the troops employed might
be. would place Russia in very bad
strategic position and would compel her.
not with any desire Of provoking war,
hat IN self defense. TO take the neces-
sary precautionary measures.
In view Of these various considers
tions, Admiral Alexief suggested the
mobilization Of the far East districts,
and, IL possible. Of the Siberian goy-
crnmcnts. the declaration Of stage Of
siege in Manchuria for the purpose Of
csfecting the concentration Of the troops,
the occupation Of the mouths Of the
Yalu by advanced posts. the immediate
dispatch of the 10th and 18th army
corps 10 Irkutsk on a war footing. and
preparations to mobilize further re-en-
forcements. He also urged that state
of siege should be declared at Port
Arthur and vladivostok, in order to Ia
ciliate the completion Of the unfinished
dcfenses. All of these measures Ad-
mirai Alexieh described rs absolutely
imperative.
He also telegraphcd 10 st. Petersburg
announcing that twenty-five Japanes
transports, with troops and guns, were
ready to sail. Japan. he said, could
easily send three or four divisions at
moments notice.
As result of these representations.
on Dec. Is the car commanded Ad-
miral Alexicf to mobilize the.far East
crn districts, to declare state of se'ge
in Manchuria, at Port Arthur and at
vladivostok, and generally to prepare
for war. The occupations of the mouths
of the Yalu, however. was in the opin-
ion of the car undesirable and should
bc carried out only in the last resort.
On December 10, 1903, Admiral Aba
VA, president of the committee for
Eastern affairs, telcgraphed to Admiral
Alexieif, giving him an epitome Of the
cxar's views AZ expressed to him in nu-
merous audiences. Admiral Abasa
said that the car considered that every
year Of peace gained was of enormous
Importance to Russia. Although he
must not yield, Admiral Alexieff should
do his utmost to avoid war. His policy
should bc firm but corteous In form.
and should ignore unimportant details.
there must be no discussion about Man
churia, either with Japan or with any
other power. That was an affair be-
tween Russia and China. Russia was
willing to take into consideration the
commercial interests Of Japan and
other nations, provided they were un-