luding foreigners from that
territory,--all this was ample evidence that nothing short of
compulsion would cause her to withdraw. Besides, Alexander Pavloff,
the Russian Minister in Korea, was anxious to emulate Count Cassini,
his former chief at Peking. He was constantly plotting to secure a
foothold in the Peninsula. In 1903, it was announced that a Russian
company had obtained a timber concession on the Yalu River. A few
months afterwards, some American newspaper correspondents with the
Japanese army discovered the ruins of a Russian fort on that river,
securely screened from indiscreet eyes, but in a fine position to
control the passage. That was the timber concession.

Russia's policy, therefore, was a serious menace to Japan. But Japan
did not purpose to draw ridicule by unavailing protests. Feverishly
the preparations for more emphatic action were continued; in the
latter part of 1903, Japan was ready. Safe from a possible European
intervention by her treaty with Great Britain, Japan reminded Russia
of her promise to evacuate Manchuria on October 7, and requested an
explanation for not keeping the pledge. Russia, with a blind faith in
her prestige, replied that the affair did not concern Japan but China,
whereupon Japan made a proposition concerning Manchuria and Korea which
would be acceptable. With studied contempt replies from the czar were
held back beyond the time permitted by international courtesy. (p. 279)
Moreover their tenor was not only unsatisfactory, but was also
calculated to exasperate the proud Japanese. When the final
preparations were made, Japan instructed her minister to St.
Petersburg, to demand his passports,--an act equivalent to a
declaration of war.

The tchinovnik doubted their senses. Russia maintained that a
severance of diplomatic relations did not necessarily imply an appeal
to the sword, when the news flashed over the wires that the Russian
war vessels Varyag and Koreyetz had been blown up at Chemulpo to
escape being captured. The world was still marveling at Japan's
audacity when it was informed that three other Russian war vessels had
been disabled owing to a night torpedo attack under Admiral Togo.

Why was the Russian fleet, numerically superior to that of Japan,
divided? The answer is found in that fatal word: prestige. Pavloff in
Korea had requested the presence of the two doomed ships, to keep the
Japanese in awe. Admiral Stark lay under the guns of impregnable Port
A