The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-20

coast of Korea as far north as Chemulpo.
For months, or perhaps it is not an ex-
aggeration to say for years, Russia has
been preparing for this conflict. and when
the hour arrives she has been caught off
guard and within a period of four days
has suffered serious losses.
In the town military law prevails Jap
anese sentries are posted on the corners
and squads of soldiers patrol the streets
The landing and occupation of Chemulpo
were accomplished without the slightest
disorder or confusion. Twenty-Five hum
dred Japanese in complete field outfits
haversacks. canteens, water cups, blank
cts and fully armed-marched up to the
jetty during the night of the Sth and were
chartered in the houses of Japanese citi-
zens in the japanese settlement in a man
ner to excite the admiration of the for
eign military officers who witnessed II.
From the transports to the ietty was full
ly mile to a mile and half which had
to be covered in small boats, and yet from
the time the transports anchored till the
troops were swallowed up in the houses
to which they were assigned was less
than eight hours As the first boat load
reached the jetty the waiting Japanese
townspeople set up a cheer. which was
promptly suppressed by the local author
tiles. The Koreans made no demonstra-
ton whatever, and life and property in
year ago.
Problems Presented.
Chemulpo. which yesterday was scarce
" more known to most of us than as
name on the map of the west coast of
Korea. has in forty-eight hours seen the
landing of a foreign army, naval battle
within the sight of the town, the blowing
up of a warship and the burning and
sinking of another and of a merchant
n. H..nH
sixty odd dying, a hundred more suffering
from slight injuries, and the captains of a
British, an Italian. and a French warship
lying at anchor in the harbor hold the
power Of giving freedom or capture to 700
Russian refugee sailors and officers who
but a few hours ago went out to meet
death or capture at the hands of an over
whelming enemy. What is to become of
these 700 refugees? is the question that
all are asking and which none can an
swer. The captains of the neutral gun
boats under whose protection these men
are can answer the question no better
than the rest of us. They have twice re-
fused the Japanese demand to give them
UP as prisoners of war and are temporiz-
ing while waiting for instructions from
their respective governments.
1t is difficult to imagine a more com
pick situation. Two countries at war with
each other have fought battle in a neu-
trail harbor; one has landed troops In n
country that has gone to great pains to
notify the powers of her strict neutrality,
far In advance of any declaration of war.
The survivors of the naval battle are
aboard the warships of neutral nations.
lying at anchor in a neutral harbor. Elk
perts on international law have certainly
a tangle to straighten out.
Russian ConsuRs Plight.
The Russian consul, w. Polianowsky,
at Chemulpo, has not flown his flag since
the morning of the 9th, when the notlfica-
ton of Admiral Uriu was sent to the Rus
sian commander His official residence is
surrounded by Japanese soldiers, and he
Is allowed to communicate with no one.
The Russian minister M. Pavloff. at
Seoul, has been notified through the
French minister, Count de Fonteney, to
leave Seoul at once. Here again is a
nice point of international procedure to
be decided upon. M. Payloff has agreed
to withdraw under protest, and is to leave
Seoul with his entire legation staff, lega-
ton guard and all Russian residents, by
special train on the morning of the 18th
for Chemulpo where he will board the
French cruiser Pascal for Port Arthur.
The Japanese authorities have offered a
guard for the protection of the Russians
till they are safely out of Korean terri
tory.
At Chemulpo the native and Japanese
residents have been busy for two days In
gathering the teakwood ladders. DOORS
windows, the furniture, the furnishings