The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-02-27

oTcer further says that the cars gov
eminent does not expect the Japanese
to attack Port Arthur by land.
Foreign Minister Lamsdorf sent the
following circular to Russian represen-
tatives abroad:
Since the rupture of the negotia-
tons between Russia and Japan the
attitude OF the Toxic cabinet has con
stituted open violation Of all custo-
mary laws governing the mutual rela-
tions OF civilized nations. Without
specifying each particular violation
Of these laws on the part of Japan,
the imperial government considers it
necessary 10 draw the most serious al
tention OF the powers to the acts OF
violence committed by the Japanese
government with respect 10. Korea.
The independence and integrity Of
Korea. as a fully independent empire,
has been fully recognized by all the
powers, and the inviolabllity OF this
fundamental principle was confirmed
by article one of the SimonesH treaty,
and by the agreement especially con
cluded for this purpose between Japan
and Great Britain on January 80, 1902.
as we'll as by the FrancO-Russian
declaration of March 16. 1902
"In disregard of all these facts. in
spite Of all treaties. in spite OF its
obligations. and in violation Of the
fundamental rules OF international
law It has been proved by exact and
fully confirmed facts that the Japa-
nese government, first before the
opening of hostilities against Russia,
landed its troops in the independent
empire of Korea. which had declared
its neutrality: second, with a division
Of It's feet II made a sudden attack
on February 6. that Is, three days prior
TO the declaration OF war. on two Rus
sian warships in the neutral port Of
Chemulpo. The commanders Of these
ships had not been notified of the sew
erance of diplomatic relations, as the
japanese maliciously stopped the de-
livery of Russian kilograms by the
Danish cable. and destroyed the tele-
graphic communication Of the Korean
government The details Of this das-
tardly attack are contained and pub
lished in an official telegram from the
Russian minister at Seoul.
ain spite of the international laws
above mentioned. and shortly before
the opening of hostilities. the Japa-
nese captured as prizes Of war GER
tain Russian merchant ships In neutral
ports Of Korea.
Japan declared to the emperor Of
Korea, through the Japanese minister
at Seoul. that Korea would henceforth
be under Japanese administration. and
she warned the emperor that in case
of his noncompliance, Japanese troops
would occupy the palace.
"RecoehiziBg that all the above facts
constitute a fragrant breach Of inter
national law. the imperial government
considers 1t to be its duty to lodge a
protest with all the powers against
this procedure of the Japanese gov
eminent. and It is firmly convinced
that all the powers, valuing the princi-
pies which guarantee their relations,
will agree with the Russian attitude.
At the same time the imperial govern
ment considers it necessary to issue
timely warning that owing TO Japan's
illegal assumption OF power in Korea.
the government declares all orders
and declarations which may be issued
on the part of the Korean to be in
valid
81 beg you to communicate this doc
ument to the governments to which
YOU are accredited. LAMSDORFF"
M Jeletz, a military expert VINO is
to accompany General Kuropatkin to
the front. and whose opinions are con-
seeuently of increased value, predicts
that the japanese will make their base
of operations along the line between
Ping-Yang and Won-San, Korea, rely
ing upon protection from their fleet
against a flank attack The Japanese
army will. from this line, have TO
march 200 miles over mountainous
country to the Yalu river. where they
will find the Russians strongly en-
trenched. If they succeed in forcing
this line back. they will fine another
strong Russian line extending from