The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-09

Say the Charges as to Certain Acts
in Korea Are Unwarranted
and False.
FORMAL OFFICIAL DENIAL

WASHINGTON. March s.-The japanese
minister is authorized by his government
TO give to the press the following statement
received on the 18th instant:
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 IL Korea which are considered
by Russia to be In violation of international
law, and all future orders and declarations
by the Korean government are declared on
that account 10 be invalid The imperial
government do not find it necessary in the
present instance TO concern themselves IN
any way with the views, opinions or decia-
IatiOns OF the imperial Russian government,
but they believe il to be their right and
duty to correct miss tatements OF fact
which, If permitted 10 remain uncCrtra-
dicted, might give rise 10 Incorrect infer
ences and conclusions Oh the part OF neu-
Iral powers Accordingly, the government
OF Japan make the following statement Ie-
spectins the five acts which in the note
referred 10 are declared TO be fully proved
and confirmed:
''First-It is charged under this heading
that, before the opening OF hostlities
against Russia. japan landed troops IN the
independent empire of Korea. which had
declared its neutrality The imperial gov
eminent admit that japanese troops land
ed IN Korea before declaration OF war was
issued, but not before a state OF war actu-
ally existed between 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 a mat
ter of right and necessity which had the
distinct consent of the Korean government.
The imperial government draw a sharp dis
tinction between the landing of Japanese
troops in Korea under the actual circum
stances of the case and the sending of
large body of Russian troops to Manchuria
without the consent of China, as was done
T1r~T Qfrc- Vrhf =
still in progress.
"Second-Under this heading it is alleged
that Japan with a division of the Japa-
nese fleet made sudden attack on the
Sth instant, that is three days before
the declaration Of war, on two Russian
WarshipS which were in the neutral port
OF ChemulpO and whose commanders had
not been notified of the rupture of rela-
tons, as the Japanese maliciOusly stopped
the delivery of Russian kilograms by the
Danish cable and destroyed the Korean
governments telegraphic communication
The imperial government declare that the
allegations under this heading are untrue.
The imperial government did not stop the
delivery Of Russian kilograms by the Dan
ish cable. neither did they destroy the
Korean governments telegraphic cOmmu-
nication. Regarding the alleged sudden at
tack on the Sth of February on two Rus
sian men-Of-war in the port of Chemulpo
II Is only necessary 10 say that state of
war existed and that Korea, having given
her consent to the landing of japanese
troops at ChemulpO, the harbOr of Chemulpo
thereby ceased to be neutral, at least be-
tween the beIIigerents.
''Third-It is charged under this heading
that in spite of existing international
laws, shortly before the beginning of hos
tilities japanese captured as prizes of
war the Russian merchantmen which were
in the neutral ports of Korea The i'm
perial government have established prize
court with full authority to pronounce fully
on the question of the legality of the seiZ-
ure Of merchant vessels. Accordingly, it
would be manifestly out of place for the
imperial government to make any state
ment regarding the assertion under this
heading.
''Fourth-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 Japanese administration, and warned
his Majesty that in the case of noncom-
pliance Japanese troops would occupy the
palace The imperial government declares
the charge under this number to be abso-
lutely and wholly without foundation in
fact.
'Fifth-Under this heading it is charged
that the Japanese government forwarded
summons, through the French minister.
10 the Russian representative at the court
of the Emperor of Korea to leave the coun-
try with the staff of the Russian legation
and consulate. The imperial government
denies the accuracy of this statement. No
demand either direct or indirect was adj
dressed by the japanese government ask
ing the Russian minister to retire from
Korea.
1.-The French charge d'affaires called on
the Japanese minister at Seoul and Informed
lliH NSiDdllys dS ne ulu dlleIWdhuS In witt
ing, that il was the desire of the Russian
minister to leave Korea, and asked the opin-
Ion OF the japanese minister with reference
to the matter. The Japanese minister re-
piled that if the Russian minister would
withdraw in a peaceful manner taking with
him his staff and legation guard he would
be protected fully by japanese troops. He
did so withdraw of his own free will on
the 18th OF February and an escort of Jap
anese soldiers was furnished him as far
as Chemulpo. In this connection it may be
remarked that the Russian consul at Flu
remained at his post late Feb. %.