The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-24

eSSaIy TO draw the most serious dtle1l-
ton of the powers to the acts of vlo-
lence by the Japan government in re-
spect to Korea The independence and
integrity of Korea as a fully indie
pendent empire has been fully recog-
nized by all the powers and the invio-
liability of this fundamental principle
was confirmed by article IL OF the 81
moneseki treaty and by the agreement
for this purpose between Japan and
Germany on January 80. 1902, as Well
as by the Franco-Russian declaration
of March 16, 1902.
1.-The emperor Of Korea, foreseeing
the danger of a possible conflict be-
tween Russia and Japan, addressed
early in January 1904, a note to all the
powers. declaring his intention to pre-
serve the strictest neutrality. This de-
claration was received with satiSfac-
ton by the powers, and it was ratified
by Russia.
According to the Russian minister
to Korea, the British government
charged the British diplomat represen-
tative at Seoul to present an official
note to the emperor of Korea, thanking
him for his declaration of neutrality.
I'm disregard of all these facts, in
spite of all treaties, in spite of its OBJ
legations, and in violation OF the fun-
damental rules of international law, IL
has been proved by exact and fully
confirmed facts that the japanese gov
eminent:
s'First-Before the opening of HOSTILE
test against Russia landed its troops
in the independent empire OF Korea,
which had declared it's neutrality.
''Second-With a division of its fleet
made a sudden attack on February 8,
that is three days prior to the declara-
ton of war on two Russian warShips
in the neutral port of Chemulpo. the
commanders of these ships had not been
notified of the severance OF diplomatic
relations, as the Japanese m1raculously
stopped delivery of Russian telegram by
the Danish cable and destroyed the tele-
graphic communication of the Korean
government Details of this dastardly
attack are contained and published in
an official telegram from the Russian
minister at Seoul
ssThird-In spite of the international
laws above mentioned and shortly be-
fore the opening of hostilities. the Jap
aneSe captured as prisoners of war GER
tain Russian merchant ships in neu-
trail ports of Korea
peror of Korea, through the japanese
minister at Seoul. that Korea would
henceforth be under Japanese admins
tration and she warned the emperor
that in case of his noncompliance Jap
anese troops would occupy the palace.
"Fifth-Through the French minister
at Seoul she summoned the Russian
representative at the Korean court to
leave the country with the staff of the
Russian legation and consulate.
Recognizing that all the above facts
constitute a fragrant breach of interna-
tional law. the imperial government
considers it to be its duty to lodge a
protest with all the powers against this
procedure of the Japanese government
and it is firmly convinced that all the
powers valuing the principles which
guarantee their relations will agree with
the Russian attitude. At the same time
the imperial government considers it
necessary to issue timely warning that
owing to Japan's illegal assumption of
power in Korea, the government de-
clares all orders and declarations which
may be issued on the part of Korean
government to be invalid.
st beg you to communicate this docu-
ment to the governments to which you
are credited-Lamsdorff. -
M. Jelets, a military expert who is
to accompany Gen. Kuropatkin to the
front and whose opinions are conse-
quentIy of increased value, predicts
that the Japanese viii make their base
of operations along the line between
Ping Yang and w onSan, Korea, relying
flank attack. The Japanese army will
form this line, having to march 200
miles over mountainous country to the
Yalu river where they will find the
Russians strongly entrenched. If they
succeed in forcing this line back they
will find another strong Russian line
extending from Yalu to Mukden. They
may then divide their forces, using
one haIf TO mold the Russians IN cneck
while the other part goes south to be-
siege Port Arthur In this event the
Japanese will be liable to a flank at
| tack by the northwestern Russian
forces from Kirin The appointment of
Admiral Sakaroff to command the
Russian Pacific fleet has been publish
ed in the Gazette. A Russian CORE
| spondent of the Associated Press at
Port Arthur telegraphs that the ap-
pointnAslt of General Kuropatkin to
command Russia's military forces in
the far East has been received with
delight.
The Gar received Populations of pro-
vincial assemblies at the winter palace
today and received from them ad-
dresses of loyalty and patriotism.
In expressing his thanks the Gar
said that in these painful times he
found consolation in such expressions
of patriotism coming from all the