The herald., 1895-07-09
The Military Attache at Pekip
Recalled
WAS PERSONA NON GRATA
He Spoke Plainly Upon Japanese Acts
Of Cruelty
Scenes Witnessed at Port Arthur by the Lieu
tenant Convinced Him That Atrocities
Were Enacted
Aasoc,ated Press specisl wire.

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. July S.-Lieutenant
M. J. O'Brien of the army, military at.
tache at Pekin. has been directed to re-
turn home. and the fact is one which OFF,
GERS on duty at the war department are
discussing quietly but with much interest.
Lieutenant o. Brien was attached to the
legation at Pekin shortly after the war
between China and Japan began. He was
selected by Lieutennt-General Schofield.
The course of the war would, it was be-
eved. develop results which for military
reasons it would be necessary to observe
and report upon. Other countries would
have their army and navy officers in Chi
ma and japan, and the United States must
be in position to obtain the valuable
information of the field and seas that
these foreign representatives will secure.
Officials at the war department will not
speak frankly in relation to this unex-
pected action in recalling Lieutenant
O'Brien. They say that the war in China
is at an end. and there is little need of
an army officer being retained in the Or
lent. They say that il has never been
intended to permanently keep an officer
at Pekin. Considering the circumstances,
this explanation is not satisfactory.
We'll informed subordinates at the de-
partment intimate that the real reason
why the officer has been recalled is dip
lomatic one. They speak of the case with
much caution, but one more talkative
than the Others hinted that Japan has In
formed the state department that Lieu
tenant O'Brien is persona non grata.
1t appears that a short time ago Lieuten-
ant O'Brien wrote to Minister Dun rela-
tive to the alleged Japanese atrocities at
Port Arthur. in which letter while speak
ing in complimentary manner Of the
general character and conduct OF the mi
kado's troops during the campaign, he
said he witnessed at that place shocking
acts of violence and brutality on the part
of the Japanese. The letter has not been
published. Besides its significance in the
present connecticut it IS interesting as the
written testimony of an eyewitness of
what took place at Port Arthur on the oc-
said in press telegrams OF Japanese cru
city. The letter is dated December %.
1t reads in part:
Gas to tie unfortunate circumstan ces
at Port Arthur can only speak of what
l saw, of course. but I am sorry to say
that even that little is such as to lay the
army open to the most severe censure.
have seen number Of cases of the kill
ing of men who not only could have been
made prisoners without difficulty, but who
were plainly unarned and in position
of humble surrender. I have also seen a
number of bodies whose hands were tied
behind their backs. Also bodies very
much mutilated and having wounds that
indicated that they were Killed with the
bayonet when beyond question there was
no resistance. have seen these and
other horrors in the course of my obser-
vations of battle while going to the forts
and nam points of interest. saw no
new acts of war or pillage on the 22d and
23d of November except the lootine of
houses and stores. That went on until
there was nothing left to loot..''
The letter goes or to. assign az reason
for the Japanese atrocities that the army
mad met and with such an idea the
troops began to clear the way by force
end 'thst control over them was Lost.