Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-09
JAPAN : MAKES REPLY
Russia'sl Recent Protest Met
in Detail.
HER CHARGES DENIED
STATEMENT REGARDING THE &C.
CUPATIoN OF KOREA.
Attack on Ships at Chemulpo - An
nouncement of the Attitude of the
Imperial Government.

Inc Japanese minister is authorized by
ms government to give to the press the fol-
lowing statement received on the 4th in
slant:
The imperial Japanese government are
given to understand that the Russian gov
eminent have recently addressed a note to
the powers. in which the government of
Japan are charged with having committed
certain acts in Korea which are considered
by Russia to be in violation of internal
tional law, and all future orders and decla-
rations by the Korean government are de-
CARED on that account to be invalid. The
imperial government do not find it neces-
sary In the present instance to concern
themselves in any way with the views,
opinions, or declarations of the imperial
Russian government, but they believe it to
be their right and duty to correct mis-
statements of fact which, If permitted to
remain uncontradicted, might give rise to
incorrect differences and conclusions on the
part of neutral powers
Accordingly the government of Japan
make the following statement respecting
the nVe acts which in the note referred to
are declared to be fully proved and con-
firmed:
Landing Troops in Korea.
81 1t is charged under this heading that
before the opening of hostilities against
Russia Japan landed troops in the indie
pendent empire of Korea, which had de-
clared its neutrality
THE imperial government admit that
Japanese troops landed in Korea before
declaration of war was issued, but not be-
fore state of war actually existed be-
tween Japan and Russia. The maintenance
of the independence and territorial integrity
of Korea is one of the objects of the war
and the dispatch of troops to the menaced
territory was matter of right and neces-
sty which had the distinct consent of the
Korean government. The imperial govern
ment draw a sharp distinction between the
landing of Japanese troopsin Korea under
the actual circumstances of the case and
the sending of a large body of Russian
troops to Manchuria without the consent of
China. as was done by Russia, while peace
full negotiations were still in progress.
Attack on Russian Ships.
80 Under this heading it is alleged that
Japan, with division of the japanese
feet, made a sudden attack on the Sth
iEstant-thats is, three days before the
declaration of war-on two Russian war
ships which were in the neutral port of
Chemulpo and whose commanders had not
been notified of the rupture of relations, as
the Japanese maliciously stopped the de-
livery of Russian kilograms by the Danish
cable and destroyed the Korean govern
mentS teleGraphic communication.
THE imperial government declares that
the allegation under this heading are un-
true. The Imperial government did not
stop the delivery of Russian kilograms by
the Danish cable, neither did they destroy
the Korean government Geographic COM
munication. Regarding the alleged sudden
attack on the 18th of February on two
Russian men-of-war in the port of
Chemulpe it Is only necessary to say that
nd nat
having given her consent to the landing
of Japanese troops at Chemulpo, the harbor
of Chemulpo thereby ceased to be neutral
at least as between the belligerents.
Prizes Of War.
49, 1t is charged under this heading that
in spite of existing international laws
shortly before the opening of hostilities
Japan captured as prizes of war the Rus
sian merchantmen which were in the
neutral ports of Korea.
THE imperial government has established
a prize court with full authority to pro-
nounce finally on the question of the legal
ity of the seizures of merchant vessels
Accordingly, it would be manifestly out of
any statement regarding the assertion
under this heading.
Future of Korea.
~. It is asserted under this number that
Japan declared to the emperor of Korea,
through the Japanese minister at Seoul,
that Korea would be henceforth under jap
anese administration, and warned his mai
esty that In the case of NONCOMPLIANCE
Japanese troops would occupy the palace
THE imperial government declare the
charge under this number to be absolutely
and wholly without foundation In fact.
Russians Told to Leave Korea.
IS. Under this heading it is charged that
the japanese government forwarded sum-
mons, through the French minister to the
Russian representative at the court of the
emperor of Korea to leave the country with
the staff Of the Russian legation and con
sulate.
THE imperial government deny the ac-
curacy of this statement. No demand either
direct or indirect was addressed by the
Japanese government asking the Russian
minister to retire from Korea. The French
charge d'affaires called on the Japanese
minister at Seoul and informed him YER
bally, as he did afterward in writing that
1t was the desire of the Russian minister
to leave Korea. and asked the opinion of
the japanese minister with reference to
the matter.
THE Japanese minister replied that if
the Russian minister would withdraw in a
peaceful manner, taking with him his staff
anu lesauon guard, he would be fully pro-
tected by japanese troops He did so with
draw of his own free will on the 18th Of
February, and an escort of Japanese SOL
diers were furnished him as far as Che
mulpo. In this connection it may be re-
marked thatqthe Russian consul at Fusan
remained at fhis8post at late as February
%. 1t is reported that he was compeIled
TO stay that long In the absence of instruc
lions which then Russian minister appar-
emily did not care to give to him before
his own departure. When it was made
known that necessary instructions had at