Richmond planet., 1904-02-27
~ q. 1904. RIcHMoma1 R1Vrn 18R4as7c 7cn FIVE CENTS

uOSS HOl tAptCt lue Japanese
to attack Port Arthur by land.
Foreign Minister Lamsdorff sent the
following circular to Russian represen-
tatives abroad:
"Since the rupture of the negotia-
tions between Russia and Japan the
attitude of the Toxic cabinet has con-
stituted open violation of all custo-
mary laws governing the mutual rela-
tions of civilized nations. Without
specifying each particular violation
of these laws on the part of Japan,
the imperial government considers it
necessary to draw the most serious at
tention of the powers to the acts of
violence committed by the Japanese
government with respect to Korea
The independence and integrity of
Korea. as a fully independent empire.
has been fully recognized by all the
powers, and the inviolability of this
fundamental principle was confirmed
by article one OF the Simoneski treaty
and by the agreement especially con-
cluded for this purpose between Japan
and Great Britain on January 80, 1902,
as well as by the Franco-Russian
declaration of March 16. 1902.
"In disregard of all these facts. I'm
spite of all treaties. in spite of its
obligations. and in violation of the
fundamental rules of international
law, 1t has been proved by exact and
fully confirmed facts that the Japa-
nese government. first, before the
opening of hostilities against Russia
landed It's troops in the Independent
empire of Korea. which had declared
its neutrality; second, with division
OF its feet II made a sudden attack
on February s, that is. three days prior
TO the declaration of war, on two Rus
sian warships in the neutral port OF
Chemulpo. The commanders of these
ships had not been notified of the sew
erarce Of diplomatic relations, as the
Lacrosse ra'i, 'r-,riy stopped tic dc
livery Of pussian teiegrams by the
Danish cable. and destroyed the tcle
graphic communication of the Korean
government The details OF this das-
tardly s.."-c.iiss ;;..:a contained and pub
lished in an official Telegram from the
Russian minister at Seoul.
I'm spite of the international laws
above mentioned. and shortly before
the opening of hostilities. the Japa-
nese captured as prizes of war Ger
tain Russian merchant ships in neutral
ports of Korea.
Japan declared To the emperor OF
Korea. through the Japanese minister
| at Seoul, that Korea would henceforth
be under japanese administration, and
she warned the emperor that in case
OF his noncompliance, Japanese troops
would occupy the palace.
Recognizing that all the above facts
constitute a fragrant breach of inter
national law. the imperial government
considers II TO be it's duty to lodge a
protest with all the powers against
this procedure of the Japanese gov.
ernment. and IL is firmly convinced
that all the powers. valuing the princi.
pies which guarantee their relations
will agree with the Russian attitude.
At the same time the imperial govern
ment considers il necessary to issue
timely warning that owing to Japan's
illegal assumption of power in Korea
the government declares all orders
and declarations which may be issued
on the part of the Korean to be in
valid.
81 beg you to communicate this doc.
ument to the governments to which
you are accredited. LAMSDORFF."