Page:A handbook of modern Japan (IA handbookofmodern01clem).pdf/393

Rh as well as of herself,—the battle of free and equal opportunities for all without undue encroachment upon the sovereign rights or territorial integrity of China or Korea, against a military dictatorship, against a programme of ruthless territorial aggrandizement, and against a policy of selfish restrictions."

But it was not till after six months of negotiations that the Japanese Government, on February 5, 1904, "having exhausted without effect every means of conciliation," and "finding that their just representations and moderate and unselfish proposals in the interest of a firm and lasting peace in the extreme East are not receiving the consideration which is their due," officially announced to the Russian Government that they would not only "terminate the present futile negotiations," but also "sever their diplomatic relations with the Imperial Russian Government," and "reserve to themselves the right to take such independent action as they may deem best." This was tantamount to a declaration of war.

On February 6, Admiral Togo left Saseho under official instructions, and about midnight of February 8 struck the first blow of the war. Six of his torpedo-boats attacked the Russian squadron in the harbor of Port Arthur, inflicted serious damage upon the enemy, and retired without much loss. On the following day a detachment of the fleet under Admiral Uriu defeated two Russian cruisers in the harbor of Chemulpo, Korea. Thus within a few hours the Japanese gained control of the sea, and landed troops, who soon entered Seoul.

The formal declaration of war was made by Russia on February 9, and by Japan on February 10, for publication in the newspapers of the following day, which was the anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Empire in 660 B. C. and of the promulgation of the Constitution in 1889.