The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-18
JAPS FIRED ON
The RED CROSS
BUT 1T WASN'T INTENTIONAL
so NOGI SAID IN REPLY TO STOES-
SELLS PROTEST.

During N LulI in the BOmbardment
of Port Arthur the Russian Conn
mander Sent Letters to the Japan
ese GeneraI-HOvv NOgi Replied
Said it Was Difficult to Regulate
the Fire-SheIIs Were Liable to
Fall Anywhere-COmpIi Ex-
changed.
Toxic, Dec. 1.-THE following dis
patch was received to-day from the
Japanese army before Port Arthur:
Two letters from Gen. Stoessel
Commander of the Russian military
forces at Porth Arthur, to Gen. Nogi
Cn command of the besiegers at Port
Arthur), reached headquarters at 8
o'clock in the evening of Dec. Is. The
first read as follows:
Il have the honor to inform you
that your artillery has bombarded our
hospitals, which are plainly distinguish
ed by Red Cross flags. These insignia
are visible from your artillery posi-
tions. I request you to prohibit the
bombardment. 1 make the request
from my high esteem for our brave
heroes, who after gloriously fighting
with your force. lie wounded in the
hospitals under the Red Cross. Among
those heroes are some Japanese
wounded.
II avail myself of the opportunity
to convey to you assurances of my high
respect"
BarashOff to Negotiate.
Accompanying this letter was an
other from Gen. StoesseI to Gen. Nogi.
saying:
I hereby entrust the bearer, Bara-
shoff Langa, hunt master to the En-
peror and superintendent of the Red
Cross, to negotiate with your excel
lency in order to remove the hospitals
outside the dangerous zone during
bombardment. 1t is needless to say
that we have respect for your right
to promote the success of your opera
tions.'
'Penciled on the envelope was the
following:
Barashoff will come to the same
place on the afternoon of Dec. 16 to
receive your reply"
Gen. Nogi further reports that he
sent Mai Saito, accompanied by Prof.
Arlga and an interpreter, to Salichiao
10 deliver a reply, which was accom-
panied by the following letter to Gen.
Stoessel:
NOsi said 1t Wasn't Intentional.
have the, honor to assure you
that the Japanese army, respecting hu-
manity and treaties since the begin
ming of the siege, has never purpose
~ directed shells against buildings or
vessels flying the Red Cross, but the
greater part of the garrison is invisible
tIom our gun positions, and as you
know shells do not always reach the
place to which they are directed and
especially owing to your long and
brave resistance the deviation of our
guns is becoming greater and great
er. SO with the greatest regret we
are unable TO guarantee to reach the
places at which they are directed.
l avail myself of the opportun-
lty to convey to your excellency as
surances of my highest respect. "
Made No Promises.
The record of the interview between
Barashon Langa and Mai. Saito is
"Barashon: The Japanese army di-
recs its fire against buildings under
the Red Cross
'Saito Never
Barashoff: We request you not
80 lombard the whole new town and
the northeastern part OF the old
town
'saito: We cannot agree absolute
~ 10 limit our area.
"Barashon: We VIII give you
map showing the positions Of our
hospitals, and hope you VIII not bonn
bard them
"saiiO. We VIII receive the map
supporting your request
"a was arranged that the map shall
be- delivered, Dec. 49,"