The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-09
JAPAN ANSWERS RUSSIA
Government Denies Charges that In
ternational Law Was Violated.

& washington, March 9.-The Japan
csc minister gives out the following
statement received March A.
ss The imperial Japanese government
has been given to understand that the
Russian government has recently ad-
dressed q note to the powers, in which
the government of Japan is charged
with having committed certain acts
in Korea which are considered by Rus
sia to be in violation of International
law, and all future orders and decla-
rations by the Korean government are
declared on that account to be in
valid.
HI. The government of Japan makes the
following statement respecting the
five acts which, in the note referred
to, are declared to be fully proved
I, and confirmed:
tFirst-It is charged that before the
opening of hostilities, Japan landed
troops in Korea, which had declared
it's neutrality.
The maintenance Of the independ-
ence and territorial integrity Of Ko-
[ rea Is one of the objects of the war.
and the dispatch of troops to the
menaced territory was a matter OF
right and necessity, which had the
distinct consent of the Korean gov
eminent.
Second-It is alleged that Japan
made sudden attack three days be-
fore the declaration of war on two
Russian warships in the neutral port
3 OF Chemulpho, whose commanders
had not been notified Of the rupture
/. of relations, as the Japanese mali
sian kilograms by the Danish cable
and destroyed the Korean govern
& ment's Geographic communication.
The imperial government did not
stop the delivery of Russian kilograms
by the Danish cable, neither did 1t
he
e. egraphic communication.
~ Regarding the attack on two Rus
# sian men-of-war in the port of Che
mulpho, it is only necessary to say
Egthat a state Of war existed and that
Z Korea, having given her consent to
the landing Of Japanese troops at
rChemulpho, the harbor of Chemulpho
thereby ceased to be neutral.
~ Third--It> is charged that, in spite
of existing international laws, Japan
captured Russian merchantmen which
were in the neutral ports Of Korea.
The imperial government has estab-
b lished a prize court, with full author
ity to pronounce finally on the ques-
4 ton of the legality Of the seizures of
merchant vessels. ..'
Fourth-It is asserted that Japan
declared to the Emperor of Korea that
Korea would be henceforth under
Japanese administration, and warned
his majesty that in the case of non
compliance, Japanese troops would
Occupy the palace. n
Al The imperial government declares
the charge to be absolutely without
foundation. - U.s., .e' ..-...'
.Fifth-It is charged that the Jap
anese government summoned the Rus
sian representative at the Korean
Sacourt to leave the country. No de-
"a mand, either direct or indirect, was
IN made that the Russian minister retire
III from Korea. The French charge DAT.
4, fairies informed the Japanese minis
Il ter at Seoul that it was the desire o.
- the Russian minister to leave Korea.
~ The Japanese minister replied that
is if the Russian minister would with
81 draw in a.. peaceful manner, taking
e with him his staff and legation guard
IL he would be fully protected by Jap
hg anese troops. He did so withdraw O.
sx his own free will Feb. IL, and an es
4. cort Of Japanese soldiers was fur
~ niShed him as far as ChemulphO.