The Boxer outbreak of 1900 furnished Russia reasons for vastly increasing her military strength in Manchuria, to safeguard her railway across Siberia and her rapidly expanding commercial and colonization interests. Promises were made, and broken, that Manchuria would be evacuated and restored to Chinese control as soon as peaceful conditions were resumed in accordance with the joint agreements of the powers that the integrity of China should be preserved. When it became certain that Russia had no intention of loosening her grip on Manchuria, the Japanese Government proposed a conference, in July of 1903, for the purpose of assuring the lasting peace of Eastern Asia, by agreeing upon a working basis for settlement of the points at issue with Russia. Japan wished guarantees of the territorial integrity of China and Korea, and the “open door” in both countries for commercial opportunity. Russia replied that she was ready to recognize the rights of Japan as the predominating influence in Korea, but refused to discuss further pledges regarding the future of China and Manchuria. The Russian attitude was influenced most strongly by the facts that Russia wanted an outlet to the Pacific, and that the outlay of three hundred million dollars in Manchuria, to make that province both Russian and prosperous, called for some tangible return. Japan refused to consider herself outside the sphere of active interest in Manchuria, and negotiations came to a deadlock early in 1904. On January 4, Japanese advices said that a conflict with Russia was inevitable, that the newspapers were urging the opening of hostilities, and that the Government was massing troops ready to embark on transports. The diplomats in St. Petersburg were delaying over the final reply to the Japanese note and were not expecting war, according to their assurances. [Illustration: TYPICAL STREET SCENE IN RUSSIA’S CAPITAL CITY This photograph represents a procession leaving St. Catherine’s Church, in St. Petersburg, to go down to the Neva to bless the river waters, an example of that picturesque mediaevalism which survives in so many forms, and as such a real part of the everyday life of the people ] During the following week, Russia was hurrying troops toward the frontier and buying horses, while the Argentine cruisers, _Nisshin_ and _Kasuga_, bought by Japan, were making ready to leave Genoa with rush orders to proceed to Yokohama. Meantime, the negotiations were continued with proposals and counter-proposals that made no progress.