and of the right of Japan to take in Korea and of Russia to take in Manchuria such measures as may be necessary for the protection of their respective interests as above defined, subject, however, to the provisions of Artikle I of this Agreement.

3. Reciprocal undertaking on the part of Russia and Japan not to impede development of those industrial and commercial activities respectively of Japan in Korea and of Russia in Manchuria, which are not inconsistent with the stipulations of Article I of this Agreement. Additional engagement on the part of Russia not to impede the eventual extension of the Korean railway into southern Manchuria SO as to connect with the East China and Shan-hai-kwan - Newchwang lines.

4.

Reciprocal engagement that in case it is found necessary to send troops by Japan to Korea, or by Russia to Manchuria, for the purpose either of protecting the interests mentioned in Article II of this Agreement, or of suppressing insurrection or disorder calculated to create international complications, the troops so sent are in no case to exceed the actual number required and are to be forthwith recalled as soon as their missions are accomplished.

5.

Recognition on the part of Russia of the exclusive right of Japan to give advice and assistance in the interest of reform and good government in Korea, including necessary military assistance.

6. This Agreement to supplant all previous arrangements between Japan and Russia respecting Korea. In handing the foregoing project to Count Lamsdorff, you will say that it is presented for the consideration of the Russian Government in the firm belief that it may be found to serve as a basis upon which to construct satisfactory arrangement between the two Governments, and you will assure Count Lamsdorff that any amendment or suggestion he may find it necessary to offer will receive the immediate and friendly consideration of the Japanese Government. It will not be necessary for you to say much in elucidation of the separate items of the project as they are very largely self-explanatory, but you might point out that the project taken as a whole will be found to be but little more than the logical and essential development and extension of the principles already recognized by the two Governments, or of conditions embolied in the engagements which the project is designed to supplant.

The foregoing instruction is sent to you in anticipation that the answer to the Note Verbale presented by you will be favourable; but you will not act on that instruction until you receive further instructions

which will be given after you have communicated to me the answer to the Note Verbale.

-

Nr. 13154. JAPAN. — Kurino an Komura. Lamsdorff ist zu Verhandlungen bereit.

Petersburg, August 5th, 1903. (Received, August 6th, 1903.) (Telegram.) || Count Lamsdorff says he is authorized by the Emperor to open negotiations with me on the subject of the Note Verbale.

Nr 13155. JAPAN. Komura an Kurino. - Vollmacht für die

Unterhandlungen.

Tokyo, August 6th, 1903.

(Telegram.) || In reference to your telegrams dated the 31st ultimo and 5 th inst., you will state to Count Lamsdorff that the Imperial Government fully appreciate the friendly spirit with which the Russian Government received the proposal of the Japanese Government to enter upon negotiations with regard to an understanding between the two countries, and then present at once the project to the Russian Government in accordance with instructions contained in my telegram of the 3rd instant.

Nr. 13156. JAPAN. — Kurino an Komura. Hat Lamsdorff

um Eile ersucht.

Petersburg, August 12th, 1903. (Received, August 14th, 1903.) (Telegram.) | Count Lamsdorff, being now very much occupied, could not receive me until to-day, when I handed to His Excellency the pro-. posed project in English in accordance with your instructions. I added that the longer the conclusion of an accord is postponed the more difficult will it become, as the condition of affairs in the Far East is now getting more and more complicated. I asked him to hasten the matter as much as possible. He said he would examine the project with care.

Nr. 13157. JAPAN. Derselbe an Denselben. Lamsdorff wünscht die Verhandlungen in Tokyo zu führen.

Petersburg, August 24th, 1903. (Received, August 25th, 1903.) (Telegram.) | Count Lamsdorff received me yesterday by special arrangement, and I asked his views as well as the attitude of the Russian

Government regarding our proposals, adding that the Japanese Government are now impatiently waiting for a reply. He said that he had studied the project seriously, but that the Emperor having been absent over a week on account of the manoeuvres, he had been unable to take any steps in the matter; but he asked my opinion about transferring the negotiations to Tokyo as there were many details which would have to be referred to Admiral Alexieff. I said to him that the Japanese Government having confided the matter to me, I should prefer to proceed with it, but that I was willing to communicate his opinion to you. || He stated that he has already sent copy of our project to Port Arthur with the view of obtaining the opinion of Admiral Alexieff. After such conversation, he said the question of Japanese railway enterprise in Manchuria would be difficult, but upon all other points perhaps the Russian Government would be able to come to an understanding. I said that in order to arrive at a satisfactory understanding, mutual concessions as well as spirit of conciliation are necessary and that the Japanese Government would be prepared to give favourable consideration if any suggestions should be made by Count Lamsdorff.

Nr. 13158. JAPAN.-Komura an Kurino. - Die Verhandlungen sollen in Petersburg geführt werden.

Tokyo, August 26th, 1903.

(Telegram.) || In reference to your telegram of the 24th instant, you will say to Count Lamsdorff that the Japanese Government would prefer to continue negotiations in St. Petersburg, believing that by so doing the work will be greatly facilitated. You can add that there are no details to be considered in connection with pending negotiations, which require local knowledge, and that the Japanese Government, having placed the negotiation in your hand, would dislike to make any change. You will say to Count Lamsdorff that the Japanese Government are anxiously awaiting a definite reply from his Government to their proposals, and you will continue to use every endeavour to obtain from him such a reply as soon as possible.

Nr. 13159. JAPAN.-Kurino an Komura. Lamsdorff verläßt Rußland und will die Verhandlungen in Tokyo führen.

Petersburg, August 27th, 1903. (Received, August 28th, 1903.) (Telegram.) || I saw Count Lamsdorff to-day on the subject of your telegram dated the 26th instant. He said he had audience of the Em

peror last Tuesday, and was told that His Majesty desires very much the early conclusion of an entente satisfactory for both countries, and expressed his wish to conduct the negotiations at Tokyo so as to expedite the matter. Then Count Lamsdorff added that the Emperor is to leave here for the country next Monday, and then for foreign countries for some time, and at the same time the Ministers concerned would be absent from St. Petersburg. Consequently, negotiations in Tokyo would be much the easier and quicker way of concluding the matter. I said, referring to my conversation with Count Lamsdorff of the 23rd instant, that the proposed understanding involved mostly questions of principles and politics rather than details, and consequently that the continuation of negotiations at St. Petersburg would be proper and at the same time the quickest way to arrive at a satisfactory understanding. He repeated what he had just said and insisted upon his proposition. || Under the circumstances, I think it hardly possible to change the course now proposed by Count Lamsdorff under authority of the Emperor. I also think that negotiations at Tokyo would entail many disadvantageons consequences; and definite instruction for the further course is awaited.

Nr. 13160. JAPAN. Komura an Kurino. Er nimmt an, daß Rußland die japanischen Prinzipien acceptiert hat.

Tokyo, August 29th, 1903.

(Telegram.) || In reference to your telegram of the 27th instant, you will say to Count Lamsdorff that the Japanese Government still think that negotation will be facilitated if continued in St. Petersburg since the negotiations relate to principles and not details; and you will add that he and you having been duly authorized in the matter and the proposals of Japan having been presented to him, the Japanese Government had supposed that the seat of negotiation had been agreed to. You will accordingly urge upon Count Lamsdorff the desire of Japanese Government to continue the negotiations in St. Petersburg, and express a hope that his Government will reconsider the question. You will also say that the Japanese Government presume they are justified in assuming from the proposal to transfer negotiations to Tokyo, that our proposals are in principle acceptable to the Russian Government as the basis of negotiations.

Nr. 13161. JAPAN.-Kurino an Komura. - Lamsdorff will die. japanischen Vorschläge erst prüfen lassen.

Petersburg, August 31st, 1903. (Received, September 2nd, 1903.)

(Telegram.) || I saw Count Lamsdorff to-day and explained fully the purport of your telegram of the 29th instant. The substance of his reply is as follows:

He said that the negotiations relate to principles, but principles must be decided upon examination of local and practical questions. Accordingly the Russian Government desired to transfer the discussions to Tokyo on account of the necessity of consultation with Admiral Alexieff, and also to manifest a sense of deference to Japan as the proposal had been made by her, and that the acceptance of the proposal at St. Petersburg does not signify that the seat of negotiations should be at the same place. He added that the proposal to transfer the negotiations to Tokyo does not necessarily mean that our proposals are acceptable to the Russian Government, as bases for negotiations could not be determined without reference to practical questions concerning which Baron Rosen and Admiral Alexieff have much better knowledge than he himself. I urged as my opinion that this being the most important question of high politics between our two countries, perhaps the Emperor had much to decide, and consequently it would be very convenient if the negotiations were conducted at St. Petersburg, and wished his serious reconsideration of the question of transfer as such reconsideration is much desired by the Japanese Government. I objected also to the suggestion of transfer on the ground that the question relates to principles as well as to the direction of international political concerns which may not be within the powers conferred upon Admiral Alexieff. If I remember rightly, I said I understand that his authority is limited to mere questions of local administration. He said that on this question Admiral Alexieff would only be consulted and decide nothing, and added that he, Count Lamsdorff, is also desirous to settle the question as quickly as possible, and that is the reason why he suggested the transfer. The Russian Counter-Proposals are being prepared by persons having local knowledge, consequently the transfer of negotiations to Tokyo would expedite the matter. Should the negotiations be conducted at St. Petersburg, he would be obliged to attend to the matter personally with me; but this autumn he has to be long absent from the city on account of his attendance upon the Emperor. In case of his journey to Vienna and Rome, he may also visit a certain foreign country and would be liable to be frequently interrupted in the