The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-02-24
KOREAN NEUTRALITY.
Japan Was Not Deferred From Invad-
ing the Country.


Paris, Feb. 23.-Russia has the SYM
pathetic support of France in the for
mer's latest representation TO the pow
ers that Japan is guilty Of a violation
OF international law in consequence OF
the attacks upon the Russian warships
st Port Arthur and ChemulpO before
the declaration of war No intention
exists - official circles to take up the
Russian note on the subject with the
view Of pressing action by the powers,
and it is said that nothing effective
could be done in this direction. France
was satisfied from the first OF the I'M
justifiabilit,y of the japanese action and
is anxious that the other powers should
come 10 appreciate the enOrmity OF the
offense. In this connection, attention
is called to the occupation Of Korea by
japanese troops. In spite of the dec
laration Of Korean neutrality, which
was communicated to all the neutral
powers, as Wen as TO the belligeTents.
If is pointed out that the japanese did
not hesitate to throw troops into Korea
and to establish a base there.
France May Object.
1t is suggested in diplomatic circles
that France, which has been charged
with the protection OF Russian inter
ests in Korea, could properly make OBJ
lection TO the japanese action But
nothing Of this kind has yet been done.
The French legation az Seoul is In
charge Of the secretary and interpret
err the minister being in Paris on
leave Of absence, and the foreign ONCE
Is showing no inclination TO order his
immediate return. AT the Korean le-
cation here t0day it was said that Ko-
rea had declared her neutrality from
the outset. and that therefore, If the
Iapanese had occupied Korean terri
tory and proposed marching through
Korea on their way 10 ManchuTld, It
was not with Korea's assent, but be
cause she was unable 70 prevent It.
The legation officials added that the
so GEO stands Of arms recently ordered
ny Korea from France viii remain at
Hongkong for the present in order that
they may not be seized by the Japan
csc.
Mediation improbable.
Nothing is known at the French for
eign Office regarding the report that
the Russian ambassador TO Great Brit
ain, Count BenckendOrff. had gone TO
St Petersburg with important propOs-
ais from King Edward in the direc-
ton of peace. So far as Russia is con-
Cerned. it is said that she would be
willing TO accept overtures on rea-
sonable basis, but fl is believed that
Japan. having engaged in the war, viii
not withdraw until she has conquered
Therefore, If any mediation proposals
have been advanced, which is consid-
cred doubtful. it is not expected TO be
successful or satisfactory.
An Old Programme
Concerning the dispatch Of French
naval and military reiuforCemenJs To
Indo-China, il is authoritatively am
nOunced that steps taken are simply
in accordance with the programme
adopted two years ago, but which tbs
minister of marine failed TO carry out
Alive To possibilities growing out o1
the war the ministry determined tha'
the immediate executing OF the pro
gramme should take place and thai
Peletan, the minister of marine, is act
ing in this sense.
Premier COmbes announced at the
council of ministers today the post
ponement of the Interpolation o.
Firmin Faure (natiOnalisO, concerning
the alleged insuficiency of French ma
val representation at the seat Of war
The pOstpOnement was due mainly Il
the governments desire TO put off
parliamentary debate which was likely
10 cause general agitation regarding
Frances attitude toward Russia.