““Only one further prize remained on the entire North Pacific coast, the peninsula of Korea. Although Japan clearly regarded Korea as essential to her security, a group of Russian adventurers resolved to steal it. Their plan was to establish a private company, the Yalu Timber Company, and begin moving Russian soldiers into Korea disguised as workmen. If they ran into trouble, the Russian government could always disclaim responsibility. If they succeeded, the empire would acquire a new province and they themselves would have vast economic concessions within it.””
![“Notably, it was only possible [ negotiating on the Tarabarov Island], and this is very important, due to the high level of trust Russia and China reached in their relations by that time. If we reach the same level of trust with Japan, we might be able to reach certain compromises.” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a8/vladimir-putin-261_able_notably-it-was-only-possible-negotiating_621170.jpg)
![“To prove to [her friend, Swedish diplomat Count] Gyllenborg that she was not superficial, Catherine composed an essay about herself, "so that he would see whether I knew myself or not." The next day, she wrote and handed to Gyllenborg an essay titled 'Portrait of a Fifteen-Year-Old Philosopher.'…” quote by Robert K. Massie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/05e/robert-k-massie-19874_catherine-the-great_to-prove-to-her-friend-swedish-diplomat_646448.jpg)
