Evening star., 1904-03-21
REQUEST TO BE MADE
CONSIDERATION FOR NON COM
BATANTs WILL BE ASKED.
American Ambassador to Russia Will
Use His Good Offices to Abate suf-
fering Of the Innocent.

Russia will be asked by the United States
to treat kindly the Japanese non-com-
batants who have been left in Siberia, and
to enable them to make their way back to
Japan. Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese min
lister, has informed the officials Of the
state Department that he has received re-
ports that between forty and fifty Japanese
non-combatants were in a suffering condi-
ton In several Siberian towns. The min
lister requested the Washington govern
ment to use it's good offices to assist the
suffering Japanese to reach Berlin, where
the japanese minister will take them In
charge. The State Department acted
promptly. and cablegram has been sent
to Mr. Mccormick, the American ambassa-
dor at st. Petersburg, inviting him to call
the attention of the imperial government
to the matter, in the confident hope that
the Russian officials will take immediate
steps for the relief Of the Japanese
The Japanese minister subsequently made
a statement regarding his request to off,
cials of the United States government.
Il made this request" said the minister,
nn) telegram received here reporting that
two Japanese subjects who arrived at Ber-
lin few days ago from the interior of
Siberia as delegates from large number
him that they were boycotted, and not only
had they found it impossible to earn any
living, but were in constant danger of life,
and consequently were suffering great pri-
walton. In some towns it was said, they
were ordered by the police authorities to
leave the place at moments notice. with
out time to take their effects with them.
We have therefore decided to have them
sent to Japan.
1T is not unnatural that in time of war
there exists between the people OF the bel
lgerents a degree of severity. but in my
opinion it is notable feature OF the present
conflict that since it's outbreak the Rus
slams have acted in an untoward manner
with the nOn-combatantS and prisoners OF
our people. The Vladivostok squadron fired
upon japanese merchantmen and sunk one
of them. A Japanese major and five SOL
diers who were taken prisoners in Korea
were paraded through the streets of Muk-
den. japanese residents in Manchuria,
many of whom We're women were subjected
to indignities while on their way to sea-
port to find steamer to take them to Ja-
pan. This report from Berlin tells of the
cruel treatment of innocent people by the
police authorities of Siberia.
Just think how Russians are treated in
Japan. You never hear any complaint by
them against the Japanese authorities and
people. On the conrary, it was reported
from Chemulpo that when the bodies of two
Russian sailors were recovered from the
wreck of the Variag the sailors of Japa-
nese men-of-war buried them with military
honors, and many residents of the Japanese
town at the port went 10 their grave to bow
out of respect for their honorable death.
II do not mean to expect of the country
and people at war with us anything unusual
but l sincerely hope that they will show at
least some moderation in the treatment of
those innocent but unfortunate sufferers,
not only for their sake, but for the sake of
the good name of that great empire one
of the civilized countries.