The Korean issue at the Portsmouth Peace Conference

This study focuses on the efforts of the Russian delegation at the Portsmouth Peace Conference to include in the peace treaty a clause on Japan's recognition of the full independence of Korea and the early withdrawal of troops from its territory. The article was written on the basis of a wide range of sources, most of which are being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.

The article provides a description of the international situation before the start of the peace negotiations. The attempts of the Japanese government to start peace negotiations with Russia in July 1904 are described, in particular, the detailed content of the proposal of the Japanese envoy to London T. Hayashi to the Russian Finance minister S.Yu. Witte about the meeting in Berlin to discuss the terms of peace is presented for the first time. Various opinions in the Japanese government about the supposed conditions of peace are considered, the change in the mood of the Russian government in favor of ending the war and the preparation of peace negotiations with Japan in March 1905 is shown, the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs T. Delcasse with the Japanese envoy to France I . Motono on April 5 to clarify possible grounds for peace negotiations is described in detail.

The author considers the role of the US President T. Roosevelt in the preparation and conduct of the peace conference, as well as his attempts to ensure a leading role in the settlement of the Russo-Japanese conflict. In particular, this includes his proposal of “good offices” in March 1905 and the discussion of the issue of mediation at a meeting with аmbassador to Washington A.P. Cassini on March 30. His attempts to persuade the Japanese delegation to accept the terms are disclosed.

The article reproduces in detail the debates on the Korean question, the exposure of the aggressive nature of the Japanese demands by the Russian delegation at the conference, and advocacy for the preservation of Korean independence. It analyzes the arguments and demands of the Japanese delegates to the answers and proposals of the Russian representatives.

As a result of the research, the author came to the conclusion that the sovereignty of Korea was not shaken by the Portsmouth Peace Treaty. Although, under the treaty, Russia recognized Japan's predominant political, military and economic interests in Korea, the Russian government did not intend to violate the principle of Korean independence, which was the basis of Russia's policy in the Far East. At the same time, the recognition was stipulated by the obligation of Japan, fixed in the protocol of the conference, not to take measures affecting the sovereignty of Korea without the consent of the Korean government. This recognition became the only foreign policy obstacle to the complete destruction of the independence and territorial integrity of the Korean state by Japan for the whole five years after Portsmouth.

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