The Russians Stalled, and Decisions Were Put Off

Japanese government voted in december 19 o three to go to war with russia. As nicky sat around believing there couldn't be a war because he didn't want it, diplomats concluded that negotiating delays were not caused by racist arrogance or diplomatic incompetence but an intentional strategy of delay. In the far east was the empress alexandra, who implored her husband to be strong and not back down. But more than anywhere else, czar nicholas was hearing it from kaiser wilhelm. All through 19 o three and 19 o four, willy was writing a steady stream of letters to niki, saying this isn't just about timber concessions and a to markets