In 1899 the Tsar issued an order for the creation of a city on the Bay of Talien-Wan; and in two years Dalny stood in massive completeness, with docks and wharves and defences which had cost millions of dollars.  Millions more had been expended upon Port Arthur, and still more millions upon the railway binding Manchuria to Russia with bands of steel.  This did not look like temporary occupation; like pitching her tent for a passing emergency.  Still, in the frequent interchange of notes with the powers, there was never an acknowledgment that a permanent occupation was intended.  In displeasure at these repeated violations of solemn pledges the Western Powers held aloof; the United States and Great Britain, however, insistently declaring that the “open-door” policy must be maintained, i.e., that all nations must have equal industrial and commercial opportunities in Manchuria and Korea, and also that the integrity of China must be preserved.

In the hope of arriving at a peaceful adjustment of their differences, Japan made a proposition based upon mutual concessions.  She would accept the Russian economic status in Manchuria if Russia would recognize hers in Korea.

Russia absolutely refused to admit Japan’s right to have anything whatever to say concerning Manchuria—­the land which eight years before was hers by right of conquest, and from which Russia for her own purposes had ejected her.  Admiral Alexieff was Viceroy of the Eastern Provinces, and to him the Tsar confided the issues of peace or war.  Confident in her enormous weight and military prestige, Russia undoubtedly believed that the Japanese must in the end submit.  But after five months of fruitless negotiations the patience of the Government at Tokio was exhausted.  On Feb. 8, 1904, the Japanese fleet made a sudden descent upon Port Arthur.  This act, so audaciously planned, resulted in the destruction of battle-ships, cruisers, torpedo-boats—­nine in all—­to which were added the day following two more battle-ships, destroyed at Chemulpo.

[Illustration:  Scene during the Russo-Japanese War:  Russian soldiers on the march in Manchuria.]

There was dismay and grief at St. Petersburg.  The Tsar, realizing that he had been misled regarding the chances of peace and also the military strength of the foe, recalled Admiral Alexieff from Port Arthur.  Admiral Makaroff, Russia’s military hero and ablest commander, succeeded him.  Just as his invigorating influence was being felt in awakened energy and courage, there came another disaster more terrible than the first.  The Petropavlovsk, flag-ship of the fleet, coming in contact with a submarine mine or boat, was torn to pieces and sank in two minutes, with all on board, including Admiral Makaroff and his entire staff of seventeen officers.