The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-24
LAMsDoRFF's LAMENT.
Still Bewails Japs' Lack of Good
 Manners.


 St. Petersburg. Feb 3.-Foreign Min ister Lamsdorff yesterday sent the fol- lowing circular to Russian representatives abroad:.
 Since the rupture of the negotiations be- tween Russia and Japan the attitude of the Tolxio cabinet has constituted open violation of all customary laws governing the mutual relations of civilized nations. Without specifying each particular viola ton of these laws on the part of Japan, the imperial government considers it nec- essary to draw the most serious attention of the powers to the act of violence com mitted by the Japanese government with respect to Korea.
 The independence and integrity of Ko- req, as a fully independent empire. has been fully recognized by all the powers and the inviolability of this fundamental principle was confirmed by article 1 of the shimonesld treaty and by the agree ment especially concluded for this pur- pose between Japan and Great Britain January 30, 1912, as well as by the Franco Russian declaration of March 16. 1902.
 The Emperor of Korea, foreseeIng the danger of possible conflict between Rus sia and Japan. addressed early In Janu- ary, 1904 note to all the powers declar- lnE his determination to preserve the strictest neutrality. This declaration was received with satisfaction by the powers and 1t was ratified by Russia. According to the Russian Minister to Korea. the British government charged the British diplomatic representative at Seoul to pre- sent an oficlal note to the Emperor of Korea, thanking him for his declaration of neutrality
 In disregard of all these facts, in 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 Japanese government, first before the opening of hostillties against Russia, landed its troops in the independent en- pire of Korea, which had declared its neutrality: second. with division of is fleet it made a sudden attack February k that is three days prior to the declara- tion of war, on two Russian warships in the neutral port of Chemulpo. The com nanders of these ships had not been mo- tified of the severance of diplomatic rela- tions as the Japanese maliciously stopped the delivery of Russian telegrams by the Danish cable, and destroyed the teIe- graphic communication of the Korean government The details of this dastard- ly attack are contained and published in an official telegram from the Russian Minister at Seoul.
 Third, in spite of the international laws above mentioned and shortly before the opening of hosdlties, the Japanese cap tured as prisoners of war certain Russian merchant ships in neutral ports of Korea.
 Fourth. 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 oc- cupy the palace.
 Fifth. through the French minister at Seoul she summoned the Russian repre- sentative at the Korean court to leave the country, with the stan of the Russian legation and consulate.
 Recognizing that all the above facts con- ptitute a fragrant breach of international law, the imperial government considers it to be it's duty to lodge a protest with all he powers against this procedure of the Japanese government and 1t Is firmly con- vinced that all the powers, valuing the principles which guarantee their Tela- tlons, will agree with the Russian at-