The San Francisco call., 1904-02-24
Members of Mikado'S Cen
eral Staff Put to an lgno-
minOuS Death.

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 23.-The
japanese who were hanged by the Rus
SLAMS in Manchuria. after partially sue
ceeding in an attempt 10 blow up the
railroad bridge over the sangari River
were disguised as coolies They were
arrested just as they were about to
make the attempt. Inquiry revealed
that they were japanese officers Of the
general staff-namely Colonel Assasi,
Of the engineers, and Lieutenants
Zoneloiascja and Kaeurta, Of the sap
pers. They were at once hanged from
the girders OF the bridge
The newspapers Of Port Arthur, dated
February 3, reached St. Petersburg to-
day, indicating that they were less than
three weeks in transit. Troop trains
probably require a longer time, on ac-
count Of the difficulties at Lake Bal
kal. where provisions and troops are
crossing both on ice trains and sleoges-
The cold is exceedingly severe. To-day
IS degrees below was recorded at
Irkutsk and, other places.
Stories Of the suferings Of the troops
in the crossing Of the lake are persist
frozen, but these lack confirmation, Of
fetal or otherwise
WIRES ARE KEPT OPEN.
The telegraph is working well. One
lire, devoted exclusively to Government
business, runs direct TO Irkutsk, whence
with a single relay it connects with
St Petersburg. The Car recently stood
al the telegraph key and talked with
Niceroy Alexief, practically uninter-
rupted.
Military men desiring TO accompany
the Russian army have been formally
notified that they may proceed when
convenient. but il is added that accom-
modations and commissariat supplies
cannot be guaranteed before March 10.
10 authorizations have yet been issued
TO war correspondents and il is i'm
probable that anything in this direction
viii be done until the concentration Of
troops is completed.
The Chinese Minister here has pre-
sented 10 the Foreign Office note
similar in tenor 10 that handed 10 the
Government at Toxic. regarding
China's neutrality and the respect to
be paid 10 the imperial tombs. 1t is
understood that Russia has not made
a specific reply, but communicated to
the Minister a copy Of its reply TO Sec
retary Hays note on the subject Of
China.
PROTEST TO THE NATIONS.
Foreign Minister Lamsdorff yester-
day sent the following circular to Rus
sian representatives abroad:
Since the rupture of negotiations
between Russia and Japan the attitude
of the Toxic Cabinet has constituted
open violation Of all customary laws
governing the mutual declarations Of
civilized nations. Without specifying
each particular violation of the laws
on the part of Japan, the imperial
Government considers il necessary
10 draw the attention Of the
powers 10 the acts of violence
committed by the japanese Govern
nent with respect to Korea. The in
dependence and integrity of Korea as
a fully independent empire have been
fully recognized by all the powers and
the inviolability Of this fundamental
principle was confirmed by article 1
Of the Shimonoseki treaty and by the
agreement for this purpose between
Japan and Germany on January 80,
1902. as we'll as by the Franco-Rus-
sian declaration of March Is, 1902.
The Emperor Of Korea, foreseeing
the danger Of possible conflict be
tween Russia and Japan, addressed
early in January, 1904, a note TO all
the powers declaring his intention to
preserve the strictest neutrality. This
declaration was received with satisfac-
tion by the powers and it was ratified
by Russia.
According to the Russian Minister
TO Korea, the British Government
charged the British diplomatic repre-
sentative at Seoul to present an Of
ficial note to the Emperor Of Korea
thanking him for his declaration of
neutrality.
ACCUSATIONS IN DETAIL.
In disregard Of all these facts, in
spite of all treaties. in spite OF its obli-
cations and in violation of the funda-
mental rules of international law, it
has been proved by exact and fully
confirmed facts that the japanese
Government:
"First-Before the opening of hos
tilities against Russia, landed its
troops in the Independent empire of
Korea, which had declared its neu-
trslity.
Second-With a division of its fleet
made a sudden attack on February s,
that is. three days prior TO the declara-
tion 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 diplo-
matte relations, as the japanese mali
ciOuslV etOpped the delivery of Russian
kilograms by the Danish cable and de-
stroyed the telegraphic communication
Of the Korean Government. The de-
tails of this dastardly attack are con-
tained and published in an official tele-
gram from the Russian Minister at
Seoul.
"Third-In spite Of the international
laws above mentioned, and shortly be-