(2)Yesterday, September 5, 1905, the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed and the Russo-Japanese War officially came to a close.(1) A war that Russia was expected to win became an overwhelming victory and success for Japan.
American president, Theodore Roosevelt was
the mediator of the treaty agreement. Since last June he has been
meeting with Oyama Iwao, the Manchurian's army supreme commander,
and the Katsura cabinet. Discussions have been going on for over
three months and yesterday the two sides came to an agreement.(2)
While Russia got no benefits, Japan got more than bargained for going into the war. Along with Japan getting great rights in Manchuria, they got Russia's acceptance of Japan's exclusive rights in Sokhalin and Korea. Most importantly, Japan received approval to lease Russia's Port Arthur and Port Dalin, which are located in China, as well as complete control of the South Manchuria Railway.(3)
By the reaction of the Japanese people, it became clear that this great nation is belligerent. One man exclaimed, "this victorious war proves how strong our nation really is." People like to know that they have a strong army and now that they have one, the Japanese citizen are eager and proud to be using it.(4)
However, when people began hearing about what
was in the Treaty of Portsmouth, they were angered Japan didn't
get more.(5) "Take everything from Russia," citizens
were rioting in major urban cities last night. Most thought Japan
should have gotten more than they did. Some don't realize Japan
was originally only fighting over Korea and Manchuria and everything
else that was won were victory benefits. Others think Japan got
what they needed, but they should have wiped out all of Russia's
territories in Asia so there would be one less imperial threat
to Japan. Thus, the overall reason for rioting was resentment
toward the Katsura cabinet for ripping off Japan thorough the
Treaty of P
Portsmouth.This
is a contrasting feeling to the government
though. They are proud that they won a war over a prestigious
western nation. They are ecstatic to become an imperialist state
in East Asia.
The Russo-Japanese War was feared to be an
easy win for Russia, but it ended up being a very important and
proud Japanese victory. A war that lasted a little over a year
proved to be the turning point for Japan and its position of power
in the modern world.(6)
Sources:
1. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. "Japan." [http://www.eb.com:180/bol/topic?eu=109547&sctn=7&pm=1>]
2. Japan An Illustrated Encyclopedia 2 (New York: Kondansha, 1993)
3. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. "Japan." [http://www.eb.com:180/bol/topic?eu=109547&sctn=7&pm=1>]
4. Russo-Japanese War Society. "Russia Against Japan." [http://www.russojapan.com]
5. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. "Japan." [http://www.eb.com:180/bol/topic?eu=109547&sctn=7&pm=1>]
6. Japan An Illustrated Encyclopedia 2 (New York: Kondansha, 1993)
Images:
1. Gary Combs. "Russo-Japanese War Peace Confrence." [http://www.rossica.org/Members/Articles/Articles/print_format/R-J-War.html]
2. Truman Harris."The Flag Quiz." [http://www.bassoon.org/quiz.html]