THE JAPANESE CONFERENCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 27

THE JAPANESE CONFERENCES.

The Japanese paper Kokumin has an article in the issue of December 18 dealing with the various conferences heM during the laat few months between the elder statesmen and ihe Japaneee Cabinet. It states that tho first conference which tocfe place on June 23 decided the policy which Japan should pursue with regard to the situation that hau arisen as a result of Russia's continued occupation of Manchuria. It was deoided that the only solution would be the placing of Korea entirely under Japanese influence, which presumably would mean the cancellation of the existing notes, in which Russia and Japan respectively recognise each the interests of the other in Korea. A determination was also arrived at that Manchuria shouid not be permitted to fall into the hands of Russia, but should be opened to the trade of the world, with a full recognition of the Chinese sovereignty.

A second conference was held on October 13, when, no move for evacuation having been made by Russia, wayc and means were considered by which the previous decision could be carried into effect. By this time the negotiations between Japan and Russia had been transferred fiom St. Petersburg to Tokio.

A third conference took place on the 24th October, when the elder statesmen and the Cabinet formulated the Japanese irreduoible minimum, which was presented to the Russian representative. On various pretexts Russia delayed an answer to this despatch, which was only received by the Japanese Government some 40 days after the note was presented to Russia.

According to the Kokumin the Russian reply neither refused nor conceded *ho Japanese demands. Thereupon a fourth conference took place on December 18. At this it was decided that Japan should firmly etand by the decision she had arrived at vhen the original despatch was sent, and that strong action be taken to enforce the demands contained in the irreducible minimum formulated 1 at the third conference. This means that if her demands are refused by Russia Japan will be compelled to take measures which are generally referred to a« a last resort.

"Japan," concludes the Tokio journal, "is now awaiting Russia's reply. She ie fully equipped for action, and, should her just demands be refused, troops may be despatched to Korea, and Japan's navy can be brought into action at a moment's notice."