The Final Stage of Negotiations: Beginning of the Russo–Japanese War 1904–1905

Abstract

The progress of Russian–Japanese negotiations in 1903–1904 is covered; the positions of the parties are analyzed; , the reasons for the intransigence of the Japanese side in the negotiations on the conclusion of a new agreement are examined; and the reaction in the ruling spheres of Russia to the amendments of the Japanese government to the Russian text of the agreement and the nature of Russian–Korean relations on the eve of the Russo–Japanese War are studied. The author focuses on Japan’s responsibility for starting the war, showing Japan’s aggressive policy in Korea. The essence of the Japanese proposals, tantamount to a demand from the Russian government for the formal recognition of Japan’s protectorate over Korea, is analyzed; attempts by Japanese representatives in Seoul to intimidate the Korean Emperor Gojong and impose an agreement on the appointment of a Japanese resident in Seoul to manage domestic and foreign policy to ensure the “moral right” to establish its undivided dominance on the Korean Peninsula and the request of the Korean emperor for the protection and patronage of Russia are shown, the position of the Russian side during the negotiations, based on the preference to continue negotiations with Japan to avoid an armed clash, its perception and evaluation are studied. The article is based on newly discovered archival materials and published sources. Their study indicates that Russian diplomacy showed great pliability, seeking to delay the aggravation of a military conflict. By the final period of the negotiations, the Russian side had agreed to meet Japan halfway on almost all points concerning the Korean issue, seeking only to preserve the mutual obligation to respect the independence, territorial integrity, and inviolability of the Korean Empire.