The San Francisco call., 1904-03-09
Japan Replies to the
Accusations Made
by Russia
Denies That the Law
Of Nations Has Been
Violated,

WASHINGTON, March s-The Jap
anese Minister is authorized by his Gov
ernment TO give TO the press the fol-
lowing statement, received on the 4th
inst:
The Imperial japanese Government
is given TO understand that the Rus
sian Government has recently address
ed a note TO the powers in which
the Government Of Japan is charged
with having committed certain acts in
Korea which are considered by Russia
10 be in violation of international law
and all future orders and declarations
by the Korean Government are de-
clared on that account TO be invalid. The
Imperial Government does not find il
necessary in the present instance TO
concern itself in any way with the
views, opinions or declarations Of the
Imperial Russian Government. but
il believes il to be it's right and duty
TO correct misstatement of fact which,
II permitted to remain uncontradicted,
might give rise 10 incorrect differences
and conclusions on the part of the neu-
tral powers. Accordingly the Govern
ment Of Japan makes the following
statement respecting the five acts
which in the note referred 10 are de-
clared TO be fully proved and con-
firmed:
Il 1t is charged under this head
ing that before the opening of hostili-
ties against Russia Japan landed troops
in the empire OF Korea, which had
declared its neutrality. The Imperial
Government admits that japanese
troops landed in Korea before the dec
laration OF war was issued. but not
before a state Of war actually existed
between Japan and Russia The main
tenance Of the independence and ter
ritorfal integrity of Korea is one of
the objects Of the war and the dis
patch of troops 10 the menaced terri
tory was a matter Of right and neces-
sity, which had the consent of the Ko-
rean Government The Imperial Gov
ernment drew q sharp distinction be-
tween the landing of japanese troops
in Korea under the actual circum-
stances of the case with the sending
Of Sarge body of Russian troops TO
Manchuria without the consent of
China, as was done by Russia, while
peaceful negotiations were still in pro-
gress.
80. Under this heading it is alleged
that Japan with a division of the Japa-
nese fleet made sudden attack on the
sth inst.-that is, three days before the
declaration Of war-on two Russian
warships which were in the neutral
port Of Chemulpo and whose command
ers had not been notified of the rupture
Of relations as the japanese malicious
ly stopped the delivery of Russian tele-
grams by the Danish cable and de-
stroyed the Korean Governments tele-
graphic communication. The Imperia
Government declares that the allega-
tions under this heading are untrue
The Imperial Government did not stoI
the delivery of Russian kilograms by
the Danish cable, neither did they de.
stroy the Korean Governments tele.
graphic communication. Regarding the
alleged sudden attack on the Sth oi
February on two Russian men-of-waI
in the port of Chemulpo, it is only
necessary to say that a state Of wal
existed and that Korea having giver
her consent to the landing of japanese
troops at Chemulpo, the harbor of Che
mulpo thereby ceases to be neutral, al
least as between the belligerents.
"3. It is charged under this heading
that in spite of existing international
laws, shortly before the opening of hos
tilities Japan captured as prizes of wal
the Russian merchantmen which were
in the neutral ports of Korea The I'm
perial Government has established the
prize court, with full authority to pro
nounce finally on the question Of the
legality Of the seizures of merchant
vessels. Accordingly it would be mani
festIy out of place for the Imperial Gov.
ernment to make any statement re-
garding the assertion under this head.
ing.
"A. It is asserted under this number
that Japan declared to the Emperor Of
Korea, through the japanese. Minister
at Seoul, that Korea would be hence
forth under Japanese administration
and warned his Majesty that in tn,
case of noncompliance japanese troop:
would occupy the palace. The Imperia
| Government declares the charge under
this number to be absolutely and who'll,
without foundation in fact.
rs. Under this heading it is charg-
ed that the Japanese Government
forwarded a summons, through the
French Minister, TO the Russian rep.
resentative at the court of the EN-
peror of Korea to leave the country
with the staff of the Russian Legation
and consulate The Imperial Gov
! ernment denies the accuracy of this
statement. No demand, direct or in.
direct, was addressed by the Japan.
ese Government asking the Russian
Minister to retire from Korea. Th.
French Charge d'Affaires called or
i the japanese Minister at Seoul and in
| formed him verbally, as he did after.
ward in writing. that it was the de.
sire of the Russian Minister to leave
/ 81