Russia in the early 1900s persistently sought a warm-water port on the Pacific Ocean for the Imperial Russian Navy as well as to facilitate maritime trade. The recently established Pacific seaport of Vladivostok (founded in 1860) was operational only during the summer season, but Port Arthur (leased by Russia from China from 1896 onward) in Manchuria could operate all year. After the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the failure of the 1903 negotiations between Japan and the Tsar Nicholas II's government, Japan chose war to protect its domination of Korea and adjacent territories. Russia, meanwhile, saw war as a means of distracting its populace from government repression and of rallying patriotism in the aftermath of several general strikes. Japan issued a declaration of war on 8 February 1904. Three hours before Japan's declaration of war was received by the Russian government, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the Russian 1st Pacific Squadron at Port Arthur. Eight days later Russia declared war on Japan.
russia in the early 1900s persistently sought a warm-water port on the pacific ocean for the imperial russian navy as well as to facilitate maritime trade the recently established pacific seaport of vladivostok (founded in 1860) was operational only during the summer season but port arthur (leased by russia from china from 1896 onward) in manchuria could operate all year after the first sino-japanese war (1894–1895) and the failure of the 1903 negotiations between japan and the tsar nicholas ii's government japan chose war to protect its domination of korea and adjacent territories russia meanwhile saw war as a means of distracting its populace from government repression and of rallying patriotism in the aftermath of several general strikes japan issued a declaration of war on 8 february 1904 three hours before japan's declaration of war was received by the russian government the imperial japanese navy attacked the russian 1st pacific squadron at port arthur eight days later russia declared war on japan