Expenditures of the Russo-Japanese war / by Gotaro Ogawa.

8 EXPENDITURES OF THE RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR

each other's sphere of influence, and their direct negotiations
resulted in April, I899, in the mutual recognition of the Yangtze Valley regions as within the British sphere of influence,
and of Manchuria as within that of Russia. Thus this convention gave no little facility for the Russian exploitation
of Manchuria.
The Russian policy in Korea became intolerably overbearing during this time and hostile sentiments grew in proportion among the Koreans. When Russia demanded a coaling station for her navy at Port Hamilton in May, I898, the
public opinion in Korea stoutly opposed the plan and it had
to be suspended. Not only that, but in order to conciliate
Japan and forestall her objection to the Russian lease of
Port Arthur and Dalny, the Czar's government ordered a
significant compromise in Korea and made the Russian military instructors and financial advisers resign. In consequence
thereof a treaty was made between Japan and Russia in April
of the same year, by which the two countries promised each
other that they would not interfere in the home politics of
Korea and that the appointment of military instructors and
financial advisers should be made on mutual agreement. In
this way the Japanese and Russian influence in Korea returned
to its former state of approximate equality. Japan subsequently acquired the new right of constructing the Seoul-Fusan
Railway, and a Japanese concern bought the Seoul-Chemulpo
line in its unfinished condition from the American capitalists.
Russia, in possession of Vladivostok in the north and Port
Arthur and Dalny in the south, was still afraid of their oversea connection being intersected by Japan in the Channel of
Korea. Early in I899, therefore, she resumed her activity
in Korea and tried to acquire certain rights in the south of
the peninsula. In March, I900, the Seoul Government
yielded to demands for the right of establishing a coaling
station and a hospital at Masampo for the Russian Navy, and
for the pledge not to cede Koji Island and the mainland
directly opposite to any Power. The Russian position in the
Far East thus became stronger than ever before.