Evening journal., 1904-02-24
JAPANESE AND
RUSSIAN WAR
CONTINUED from First Paee1
RUSSIA SENDS PROTEST
Declares Dastardly Act Won Victory
at chemuIpo-


st. Petersburg, Feb. 24-Foreign
Minister Lamsdorf has sent the follow
ing circular to Russian representatives,
abroad:
"Since the rupture of the negotia-
tions between Russia and Japan the at
titude Of the Tokyo Cabinet has con-
stituted open violation of all custom
airy laws governing the emutual relations
Of civilized nations. Without specify
ing each particular violation of these
laws on the part OF Japan. the Imperial
Government considers it necessary to
draw the most serious attention Of the
Powers to the acts Of violence commit
ted by the Japanese Government with
respect to Corea. The Independence
and integrity of Corea as a fully in
dependent Empire has been fully recog-
nized by all the Powers, and the in
violablity of this fundamental prin-
/ lciple was confirmed by Article ] Of the
lSlmoneseh treaty and by the agree
! lment especially concluded for this pur-
pose between Japan and Great Britain
on January 30, 1902, as well as by the
Franco Russian declaration of March
| 49, 1902
'First-The Emperor OF Corea, fore
seeing the danger Of a possible con-
fict between Russia and Japan, ad-
dressed early in January. 1904, note
TO all the Powers declaring his deter
mnation 20 preserve the strictest neu-
trality. This declaration was received
with satisfaction by the Powers and 1t
was ratified by Russia. According to
the Russian Minister to Corea the Brit
ish Government charged the British
diplomatic representative at Seoul to
present an official note to the Emperor
Of Corea, thanking him for his declara-
tion of neutrality.
Act Of War in Time Of Peace.
"Second-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 Japan
csc Government, first before the OPEN
ing Of hosdlities against Russia, land
ed It's troops In the Independent Em-
pire OF Corea, which had declared its
neutrality; second. with a division -of
its fleet IL made a sudden attack on
February s. that is, three days prior to
the declaration of war, on two Russian
warships In the neutral port Of Chem
ulpo. The commanders of these ships
had not been notified of the severance
of diplomatic relations, as the Japanese
lmaliciously stopped the delivery of
/ Russian kilograms by the Danish cable.
and destroyed the telegraphic COM
munication of the Corean Government.
The details of this dastardly attack are
contained and published in an official
telegram from the Russian Minister at
Seoul.
Warning to corean Emperor.
"Third-In spite Of the international
laws above mentioned, and shortly be-
fore the opening OF hostilities the
Japanese captured as prizes OF war
lcertain Russian merchant ships in neu-
ltral ports OF Corea
"Fourth-Japan declared to the EN-
peror OF Corea, through the Japanese
Minister at Seoul. that Corea would
lhenceforth be under Japanese admin
istration, and she warned the Emperor
that In case OF his nom compliance, Ja-
panese troops would occupy the Palace
"Fifth-Through the French Minister
at Seoul she summoned the Russian
representative at the Corean court to
leave the country, with the stafs Of
the Russian Legation and Consulate
Feels Sure Of Sympathy.
Recognizing that all the above facts
constitute a fragrant breach of interna-
tional law, the Imperial Government
considers Il to be it's duty to lodge a
protest with all the Powers against this
procedure of the Japanese Government,
and it Is firmly convinced that all the
Powers valuing the principles which
guarantee their relations. Will agree
with the Russian attitude
AT the same time the Imperial Gov
ernment considers IL necessary to issue
a timely warning that owing to Japan's
illegal assumption OF power I'm Corea
the Government declares all orders and
declarations which may be issued on
the part OF the Corean government to
be invalid.
Il beg to communicate this document
to the Government to which you are
accredited.