The Russian government was willing to fight against the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese war because of the belief that they would defeat Japan. Japan attacked on Feb. 6, 1904 without declaring war. During the war, just as soon as the Japanese had thought they won, the Russians kept sending troops to fight, but the Japanese kept fighting back. The Japanese army had many quick decisive victories and eventually sunk the Russian Baltic fleet. After nearly a year of fighting, the Japanese armies were so financially exhausted, and the Russian army had lost so many troops, that they both signed a cease-fire treaty. It was signed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1905. The Russians agreed to surrender all land in Korea to Japan and the Trans-Siberian railroad was also given to Japan. This was the first time in modern history that Japan was recognized as a strong world power.