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GROUP RXSBABCH STUDY
THE PRDURT CAUSES OF THERUSSO-JAPANESE WAR OF 1 9 0 4 - 1 9 0 3
.
Submitted by
The Command and General Staff SchoolFort Leavenworth,
Kansas.
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Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,May lf 1933
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Direotor Seoond Year Clase, TheCommand and
General Staff School, FortLeavenworth, KansasSUBJECT: The Primary
Causes of the Russo-JapaneseWar of 1904-1905.
I. PAPERS ACCOMPANYING:31 A Bibliography for this study,
II THE STUDY PRESENTED.The primary causes of the Russo-Japanese
War of
1904-1905III* HISTORICAL FACTS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT*
From the middle of the 17th Century to the middle ofthe 19th
Century, Japan maintained a policy of exclusionof foreigners*
Through the efforts of Commodore Perry,Japan entered into a
commercial treaty with the UnitedStates in 1854* This treaty was
shortly followed bysimilar treaties with European nations* (1)
Fifteen yearslater the Japanese overthrew feudalism, adopted
Europeanmethods of government and commerce* and started
organizationof their military forces patterned on the system of
theleading military powers* (2)
During this same period, the Russian expansion in Asia,which
began in the 17th Century had reached the Pacific*The territory
from the Amur River to the Korean frontier wasacquired from China
in I860, and the port and naval base ofVladivostok established*(3)
In 1891* Russia started con-
Pr* 101; En* Br* 237-8 and 264-5*Pr* 108-110; Bird, 10; En* Br*
212*Ask* 66-67; Brit* 1; Germ* 3*
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struetlon of the Trans-Siberian Railway*(4)Industrial and
commercial development in Japan was
rapid, and in a few years commercial fields were neoessaryto
Ixer industry* (5)
Korea, being elosest to Japan, was a natural field forcommerce
and trade* Korea was at that time under nominalsuzerainty of China,
and oonflieting interests of China andJapan in Korea resulted in
war, 1694-5, in whioh China wasdeeisirely defeated, and in the
treaty of peace eeded toJapan the Liao Tung Peninsular, Pescadores
Island, andFormosa, in addition to paying a war indemnity and
recognizing the independence of Korea* (6)
Before ratification of the treaty, however, the concerted
diplomatic intervention of Russia, France, and Germany, forced
Japan to restore the Liao Tung Peninsular toChina, accepting in
lieu thereof an additional sum of indemnity* (7)
Japan was humiliated at being forced to give up thatterritory,
but was not in position to oppose the threeEuropean powers* It then
observed these powers extendtheir influence in China, and soon
concluded that in orderto maintain its position as a power in Asia,
it must havea military and naval force comparable to those of the
leading World Powers* Furthermore, the expansion of Russia inAsia9
if continued, would eventually result in either a waror the loss of
the Japanese position as an Oriental Powerand possibly even their
independence* Japan then began agreat expansion of her military and
naval forces, and increased activity in all other lines of national
progress in
Ask* 68; Bird, 11; Brit* 6*Ask* 1-30; En* Br* 201-2*Bird 11; Pr
133-199; Ask* 68-9*7) Pr* 140-142; Ask* 71-77.-2
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preparation for the future conflict. (8)In 1896f Russia obtained
from China the right to
build the Trans-Siberian Railway aoross Manchuria toVladivostok*
The port of Vladivostok is closed duringthe winter months by ice,
(9)
In 18981 Russia leased from China, the southern portionof the
Liao Tung Peninsular, containing Port Arthur9 an icefree harbor,
and the right to build a branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway fron
Harbin to Port Arthur Ttader pretense of protection for the
construction of the railway,Russia stationed troops in Manchuria
(10)
This acquisition of Port Arthur by Russia, only threeyears after
Japan had been forced to restore it to Chinawas felt bitterly by
the Japanese* (11)
Korea, lying between Port Arthur and Vladivostok became of
importance to Russia, who exerted efforts to extendits control orer
that area* During the Boxer disturbancesin China in 1900, Russia
moved strong forces into Manchuriaand endeavored to avoid
withdrawal, but in response todiplomatic representations, signed a
convention with Chinaon April 8, 1902, by which it agreed to
evacuate Manchuriabeginning within six months from date of
signature and tobe completed twelve months later* (18)
Japan had refrained from interference but continuedits
preparation, and in 1902, conoluded a treaty with GreatBritain
under which it was agreed that if either nation were8) Germ* 11; Pr
143; Ask* 80*Ask* 88*90; Pr* 142*10 Pr* 145-146; Ask* 120-126.11
Germ* 14; Pr* 154-155,12) Pr* 152; Germ* 15; Ask*145-1469 215-218
and 220-224*
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attacked by two powers the other would come to its aid*
(IS)Russia failed to eracuate Manohuria as promised and earlyin
1903 established a Tieeregenoy for the Far East. (14)
Japanese diplomacy then became more determined andin July, 1903,
negotiations were started with Russia withthe object of regulating
affairs in Manchuria and Korea*Japanese proposals wore:
Recognition of the independence of China and Korea*Recognition
of Japanfa preponderating Interests in
Korea and Russia9s interest in ManchuriaIn eas
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It wa apparent that further delay would probably lessenthe
superiority in military and naval forces developed byJapan.
(17)
On Jen* 13, 1904, Japan presented a proposal similarto its
original proposal with the modification that Manohuriashould be
outside of Japan1s and Korea outside of Russiansinfluence, and on
Jan* 30, demanded of the Russian Foreigniani8tert to know when the
Russian reply would be received.Obtaining no satisfactory answer.
Japan, on 5th of Feb., recalled her Ambassador from St. Petersburg
and diplomaticrelations were severed Feb. 6th* (18)
A naval engagement between Russian and Japanese shipsoccurred at
Chemulpo, Feb. 8th, and the Japanese fleetattacked the Russian
ships in the harbor of Port Arthur thenight 8-9 Feb. War was
formally declared by both powersFeb. 10th. (19)
IT. CONCLUSIONS OF THE AUTHOR.After Japan began its industrial
development, commer
cial fields became a necessity. Korea being olosest toJapan and
having no manufactures of its own, was naturallythe most desireable
field and the war with China in 1894-95was for the purpose of
securing to Japan the Korean trade.Furthermore, a dominant position
in Manohuria would obtainfor Japan additional trade with China.
Russian diplomacy and expansion in the Far East prevented Japan
securing a foothold in Manchuria and alsothreatened the position of
Japan in Korea, which had beenwon by the war with China in 1894. If
continued, as it
17 Ask. 335-337; Germ. 17-18.18 Fr. 156; Germ. 18; Ask.
337-345.19 Fr. 165; Ask. 345.
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It was apparent that further delay would probably lessenthe
superiority In military and naval forces developed byJapan.
(17)
On Jan* 13, 1904, Japan presented a proposal similarto its
original proposal with the modification that Manchuriashould be
outside of Japanfs and Korea outside of Russia?sinfluence, and on
Jan. 30, demanded of the Russian ForeignMinister, to know when the
Russian reply would be received*Obtaining no satisfactory answer,
Japan, on 5th of Feb., recalled her Ambassador from St. Petersburg
and diplomaticrelations were severed Feb. 6th. (18)
A naval engagement between Russian and Japanese shipsoccurred at
Chemulpo, Feb. 8th, and the Japanese fleetattacked the Russian
ships in the harbor of Port Arthur thenight 8*9 Feb. War was
formally declared by both powersFeb. lOtlw (19)
17. CONCLUSIONS OF THE AUTHOR.After Japan began its industrial
development, commer
cial fields became a necessity* Korea being closest toJapan and
having no manufactures of its own, was naturallythe most deslreable
field and the war with China in 1894-95was for the purpose of
securing to Japan the Korean trade*Furthermore, a dominant position
in Manchuria would obtain
tfor Japan additional trade with China.Russian diplomacy and
expansion in the Far East pre
vented Japan securing a foothold in Manchuria and alsothreatened
the position of Japan in Korea, which had beenwon by the war with
China in 1894. If continued, as it
17 Ask. 335-337; Germ. 17-18.18 Pr. 156; Germ. 18; Ask.
337-345.19 Pr. 165; Ask. 345.-5
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appeared the Russians intended, this expansion would
eventhreaten the independence of Japan, or at least its positionas
a World Power*
Russia desired an ioe free port in the Far East asan outlet for
Eastern Siberia* Haying seoured Port Arthurby lease from China,
Korea became of Importance through itsgeographical location between
Port Arthur and Vladivostok.Russia therefore attempted to extend
her influence in Korea*
The cause of the war was this Intense oonfliet ofInterest, both
political and commercial, of the two nations,in Korea and
Manchuria.
V* RECOMMENDATIONS.- None required*
71* CONCURRENCES.- None required*
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BIBLIOGRAPHY*
! Asakawa: "The Russo-Japanese Conflict"Houghton, Mifflin Co*,
Boston, 1904,
S* Porter, Robert P: ttJapan, The Rise of a Modern
Power*,Cttford University Press, 1919
3."The Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume XV", EleventhEdition*
University Press, Cambridge, 1911*
4* "The Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 15*"American Corporation,
New York, 1929*
5* Historical Section, German General Staff: "The Russo-Japanese
War, The Yalu"* Hugh Rees, Ltd*London, 1908*
6* Historical Section, Committee of Imperial Defense*"Official
History of the Russo-Japanese War"(British)* Harrison and Sons, St*
MartinsLane, London, 1910*
7. Bird, W*D*: "Strategy of the Russo-Japanese War"* HughRees,
Ltd*, London, 1909*8* Chasseur: "A Study of the Russo-Japanese
War", William
Blackwcod and Sons, London, 1905*9* Times Correspondent: "The
War in the Far East, 1904-1905"*
E*P*Dutton and Co*, New York, 1905*10* Horsetzky, Adold von: "An
Epitome of the Russo-Japanese
War of 1004-1905"* Seidel & Son, Vienna, 1915*11* Weale,
B*L* Putnam: "Manohu and Muscovite"* MacMillan
and Co*, London, 1904*
? -
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IS. MoCormick, Frederick: nThe Tragedy of Russia inPacific
Asia*. The Outing Publishing Co.New York, 1907
13* KUropetkin: "The Russian Army and the Japanese
War"*E*PDutton and Co., New York, 1909*
14* Cordonnler, EL,Y: "The Japanese in Manclmria, 1904"Volume I,
Hugh Rees, Ltd*, London, 1918*
All of the foregoing texts were found in the Library,Command and
General Staff School) Fort Learenworth, Kansas,
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REFERENCE ABBREVIATIONS.Key (Aaf 67) No* 1 Text, page 67*1* Ask*
- Asakawe, "The Russo-Japanese Conflict"3# Pr*- Porter, Robert P*-
"Japan, the Rise of a Modern
Power3* En* Br*- "Encyclopaedia Britannioa, Vol. IV,
Eleventh
Edition,4* En* Am. - "Encyclopedia Americana, Vol. 15, 1929",5*
Germ* - Historical Section, German General Staff, nThe
Russo-Japanese War, The Yalu"*6* Brit* - Historical Sectiob,
Committee of Imperial Defense,
(British)* "Official History of the Russo-JapaneseWar."
7* Bird* - Bird, W*D. "Strategy of the Russo-Japanese War".8*
Chas* - Chasseur, *A Study of the Russo-Japanese War*.9* Times -
Times Correspondent, wThe War in the Far East,
1004-1905*"10* Hor* - Horsitzky, Adold Ton* "An Epitome of the
Russo-
Japanese War of 1904-1905*"11* Weal*- Weale, B*L*P* "Manchu and
Muscorite19*IS* UcC - McCormick, Frederick* ^The Tragedy of Russia
in
Paoifio Asia*"13* Kur*- Kuropatkin* "The Russian A m y and the
Japanese
War*"14* Cord*- Cordonnier, E*L*T* nThe Japanese in
Manchuria,
1904*"
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REFERENCE ABBREVIATIONSKey (Aft, 67) No* 1 Text, page 87*I* Ask*
- Asakawa, "The Russo-Japanese Conflict"2* Pr*- Porter, Robert P*-
"Japan, the Rise of a Modern
Power*3* En* Br*- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Yol* XV,
Eleventh
Edition*4* En. Am* - "Encyclopedia Americana, Yol* 15, 1929",S*
Germ* - Historical Section, German General Staff, "The
Russo-Japanese War, The Yalu"*6* Brit* - Historical Sectiofc,
Committee of Imperial Defense,
(British), "Official History of the Russo-JapaneseWar.*
7* Bird* - Bird, W*D. nStrategy of the Russo-Japanese War".8*
Chas, - Chasseur, "A Study of the Russo-Japanese War",9* Times -
Times Correspondent, "The War in the Far East,
1904-1905*"10* Hor* * Horsitzky, Adold ron* "An Epitome of the
Russo-
Japanese War of 1904-1905*"11* Weal*- Weale, B*L*P* "Manchu and
Musoorite"*IS* UcC - UoCoxmiok, Frederick* "The Tragedy of Russia
in
Pacific Asia*"13* Kur*- KUropatkin* "The Russian A m y and the
Japanese
War*"14* Cord*- Cordonnier, E*L*Y* "The Japanese in
Manohuria,
1904."-9