New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-09
JAPAN DEFENDS HERSELF,
Contradicts RuSsia's Charge of ViO-
lafi0n of international Lac.
AN 1CEBoUND RIVER N MAN

Washington March S-The japanese Minis
ter is authorized by mis- government to give to
the press the following statement received on
the fth inst:
The imperial japanese government are given
TO understand that the Russian government
have recently addressed note To the powers IN
which the government Of Japan are charged
with having committed certain acts IN Corea
which are considered by Russia to be IN viola
ton Of international law. and all future orders
and declarations by the Corean government are
declared on that account TO be Invalid. Inc
imperial government do not find IL necessary IN
the present instance 10 concern themselves III
any way with the views. opinions or declarations
Of the imperial Russian government. but they
believe u 10 be their right and duty 10 correct
misStatements Of facts which IL permitted To re-
main uncontradicted might give rise 10 incoT-
rect differences and conclusions on the part OF
neutral powers.
Accordingly the government OF Japan make
the following statement respecting the five acts
which in the note referred 10 are declared to be
fully proved and confirmed;
First-It is charged under this heading that
before the opening Of hostilities against Rus
STA japan landed troops in the independent en-
uirc OF Corea. which had declared its neutrality
The imperial government admit that japanese
troops landed In Corea before declaration OF
war was issued. but not before "a. state OF war
actually existed between Japan and Russia. The
maintenance Of the independence and territorial
integrity % Cogea is one Of the objects Of the
war. and the dispatch OF troops 10 the mem
aCed territory was "A matter Of right and nec"s-
sity which had the distinct consen. of tho
Corean government. The imperial government
draw u sharp distinction between the landing ~
japanese troops ia Cor-a under tho actual cir
ctlrnstanress of the ease and tho sending Of q
large body Of Russian troops TO MancEuria with
out the consent 81 China. was done by Rus
STA. while peaceful negotiations were stiu Ia
progress.
Sccoud-Undcr this heading 70 is alleged that
japan with q division OF the japanese fleet
made a sudden attack on the Sth iust-that IS.
three days before the declaration Of war-on
Dad b HIH fTl 4
port OF Chemulpo. and " hose commanders had
not been notified " the rupture OF relations. as
the japanese mahclously stopped tle usHN'ls
OF Russian kilograms by the Danish cable ana
destroyed the Corean governments Geographic
communication"
Tho imperial government declare that the al
legations under this heading untrue. The
imperial government did not stop the delivery
Of Russian kilograms by the Danish cable.
neither did they destroy the Corean govern
ments telegraphic communication Regarding
the alleged sudden attack OH February on two
Russian meu-of-war IN the port Of Chemulpo,
Il is only necessary 10 say that a state Of war
existed, and that, Corea having given her con-
sent To the landing Of Japanese troops at che
l1ulpo. the harbor Of Chemulpo thereby ceased
be neutral. At least As between the being
crents.
Third-B is charged under this heading that
'in spite Of existing International laws shottlS
before the opening Of hosultles, japan ''pt
ured as prizes Of the Russian merchant
men which We're IN the neutral ports or Corea-
The imperial government have established
prize court with full authority 10 pronounce
finally on The question of the legality Of the
seizures OF merchant vessels. Accordingly.
would be manifestly out Of place for the impe-
rial government TO make any statement re-
garding the assertion under this heading.
Fourth-It Is asserted under this number that
Japan declared to the Emperor OF Ooiea
through the Japanese Minister at Seoul that
Corea would be henCcforth under japanese au-
nnistratiOn. and warned his majesty that IN
the case of noncompliance japanese troops
would occupy the palace
The imperial government declare the charge
under this number TO he absolutely ana Wholly
without foundation in fact.
Fifth-Under this heading 1t is charged that
the japanese government forwarded sum
mons through the French Minister, To the Rus
sian representative at this court Of the Emperor
OF Corea TO leave the country with the stan OF
the Russian legation and consulate"
The imperial government deny the accuracy OF
this statement. No demand, either direct or In
direct. WAS addressed by the Japanese govern
ment asking the Russian Minister to retire from
Corea. The French Charge d'AnaiTcs called on
the japanese Minister At Seoul and informed
that Il the desire OF the Russian Minister
10 leave Corea. and asked the opinion Of the
japanese Minister with reference 10 the matter
The japanese Minister replied that II the Rus
sian Minister would withdraw In n peaceful
manner. taking with him the staff and legation
guard he would be fully protected by japanese
troops. He did SO withdraw Of his own free Will
February H. and escort OF Japanese
soldiers were furnished him as far as Chemulpo.
In this connection il may be remarked that the
Russian Consul at FuSan remained AT his post
as late as February 2S. II is reported that he
was compelled to stay that long in the absence
Of instructions which the Russian Minister ap-
parently did not care to give to him before his
own departure. When it was made known that
necessary instructions had at last reached the
Russian Consul and that ne desired TO leave
Fusan as soon as possible. the Japanese Consul
at the same port offered him every facility for
his departure AID his passage TO Shanghai
through Japan VS. arranged by the latter