WAR APPENDIX
No. 20.Baron Komura to Mr. Kurino
(Telegram.)Tokio, October 22nd, 1903.
The result of discussions between Baron Rosen and my- self on our amendments to the Russian Counter-Proposals is as follows:—
Amendments to Articles II and VI accepted ad referendum, Article III accepted, and Article IV reserved for further discussion. It is in Article VII of our amendment to Article VII of the Russian Counter-Proposals that no agreement could be reached, each insisting on the impossibility of accepting the other's proposition. The contention of the Russian Minister is:—1st, that the Russian Article VII is the only compensation to Russia for the concessions to be made by her in respect of Corea; and 2nd, that admission of the Japanese amendments on this point would be contrary to the principle always insisted on by Russia that the question concerning Manchuria is one exclusively for Russia and China, admitting of no interference on the part of any third power.
Our contention is:—1st, that Japan does not ask for any concession from Russia with respect to Manchuria, her proposal being simply to have confirmed in the Agreement the principle which has been voluntarily and repeatedly declared by Russia; and 2nd, that Japan possesses in Manchuria her treaty rights and commercial interests, and she must obtain from Russia a guarantee for the security of those rights and interests as well as of the independence of Corea which would be constantly menaced by Russia's definitive occupation of Manchuria.
No. 21.Mr. Kurino to Baron Komura
(Telegram.)Tokio, October 29th, 1903.
In reference to my telegram of the 22nd instant, as the result of further discussions, the amendment on Article IV was finally accepted ad referendum. Regarding Article VI, my proposal of fixing the extent of the neutral zone at 50 kilometres on each side of the frontier was accepted ad referendum. As to Article VII, no agreement could yet be reached.
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