New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-24
LAKSDORFF'S PROTEST.
Japa7's Action in Cored Brought to
Notice of POUerS.

St Petersburg. Feb. 23-The Foreign Min
lister. Count LamsdorT. yesterday sent the fol-
lowing circular 20 Russian representatives
abroad:
Since the rupture Of the negotiations between
Russia and Japan the attitude OF the IoAio
Cabinet has constituted open violation or all
customary laws governing the mutual re-atloIs
Of civilized nations.
Without specifying each particular violation
Of these laws on the part OF japan, the IN
perial government considers 81 necessary 10
draw the most serious attention OF the powers
TO the acts OF violence committed by the Jap
anese government with respect to Corea.
The Independence and integrity OF Corea as
fully independent empire has been fully recos-
mixed by all the powers, ana me llElolap i
OF this funda--.ental principle was coIlllIIed py
Article / of the ShimonoseH Treaty ana oy the
agreement especially concluded Tor thls pur-
pose between Japan ana OIeaI BRIAN on J@ d
-larv 20 1902 as well as 10y the trancO-Russian
declaration Of March 10. 1877
THE Emperor Of Corea, foreseeing the danger
OF a possible conflict between Russia and Japan,
addressed. early IN January, 1904, a note 10 all
the powers declaring his determination 10 pre-
serve the strlCtest neutrality. ms declaration
was received with satisfaction by the powers,
and il was ratified by Russia According 20
the Russian Minister TO COrea, the British gov
eminent charged the British diplomatic repre-
sentative AZ Seoul to present an Official note 10
the Emperor OF Corea. thanking him for his
declaration Of neutrality
In disregard OF all these facts. IN spite OF al
treaties in spite Of Its obligations and Ia viola
ton OF the fundamental rules OF international
law, X has been proved Dy exact anu lul4y CoIl-
frmed facts that the japanese government, nrsl'
before the opening OF hostilities against Russia
landed its troops in the Independent empire OF
Corea. which had declared its neutrality; second.
with a division q its feet q made a sudden at
tack on February shat IS three days prior 10
the declaration Of war-ou two Russian war
ships IN the neutral port OF Chemulpo. The
commanders Of these ships had not been notified
of the severance Of diplomatic relations, as the
japanese malicioUsly stopped the delivery Of
Russian kilograms by the Danish cable and de-
strOyed the telegraphic communication OF the
Corsan government The details OF this dast-
Official telegram from the Russian Minister at
Seoul
Third-In spite OF the international laws
above mentioned. and shortly before the open
ing OF hostlites. the japanese captured as
prizes OF war certain Russian mercha Mt ships in
the neutral ports OF COrea.
FOurth-JGPan declared 20 the Emperor Of
Corea. through the japanese Minister at Seoul,
csc administration. and she warned the En-
peror that IN case Of his noncompliance. Jap
anese troops would occupy the palace.
Ftfth-ThrouEh the French Minister ~ Seoul
she summoned the Russian representative at
the Corean Court to leave the country with the
staffs Of the Russian legation and consulate
Recognizing that all the above facts cohstl-
rure a fragrant breach Of international law, lhe
imperial government considers Il 20 be its duty
20 lodge 2 protest with al the powers against
This procedure % the japanese government, ana
Il Is firmly convinced that all the powers, Naiu-
ing the principles which guarantee In"4I iSi"
tfons win agree with the Russian attitude.
At the Same time. the imperial government
considers i necessary 20 issue timely wan
ing that. owing 10 Japan's Illegal Assumption
OF power IN Corea. the government declares al
orders and declarations which may &c ISSUE
on the part Of Tire Corean government 10 De IN
valid. . q.
the goverDrrents to which you are accredited
LAMSDORFF.