The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-24
RUSSIA PROTESTS TO THE
POWERS AGAINST HASIY
ACTION Of THE JAPANESE
Saws the Laws OF Nations Have
Been Violated by the Toxic
Government.
TEXT OF THE CIRCULAR
In Which Japan Is Accused of In
vading Korea and Wantonly
Attacking Russians.

ST. PETERSBURG. Feb 2S.-Foreign
Minister Lamsdorff yesterday sent the fol-
lowing circular to Russian representatives
abroad:
Since the rupture of the negotiations
between Russia and Japan the attitude of
the Toxic Cabinet has constituted open
violation Of all customary laws governing
the mutual relations of civilized nations
Without specifying each particular viola
ton of these laws on the part of Japan,
the iraperial government considers it neces-
sary TO draw the most serious attention of
the powers TO the acts of violence commit
ted by the Japanese government with
respect to Korea. The independence and
integrity Of Korea as a fully independent
empire, has been fully recognized by all
the Powers, and the inviolability of this
fundamental principle was confirmed by
Article 1 of the Cimoneseki treaty and by
the agreement especially concluded for this
purpose between Japan and Great Britain
on Jan. 80, 1902 as well as by the Franco
Prussian declaration of March 10. 1902.
The Emperor of Korea, foreseeing the
danger of a. possible conflict between Rus
STA and Japan, addressed early in January,
1904, note to all the powers declaring his
determination to preserve the strictest
neutrality. This declaration was received
ratified by Russia. According to the Rus
sian minister TO Korea the British govern
ment charged the British diplomatic repre-
sentative at Seoul to present an official note
to the Emperor of Korea, thanking him
for his declaration of neutrality.
In disregard of all these facts. in spite
or all treaties, in spite of its obligations and
in violation of the fundamental rules of in
ternatiOnal law il has been proved by ex-
act and fully confirmed facts that the Jap
aneSe government
''ElrCt-RnfOra ha of
against Russia, landed its troops in the in
dependent empire of Korea, which had de-
clared its neutrality.
Second-With a division of its fleet 1t
made sudden attack on Feb. s. that is,
three days prior to the declaration of war,
on the 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 ma
liciOusly stopped the delivery of Russian
kilograms by the Danish cable and de-
stroyed the telegraphic communication of
the Korean government. The details of this
dastardly attack are contained and pub
lished in an official telegram from the Rus
sian minister at Seoul.
''Third-In spite of the international laws
above mentioned, and shortly before the
opening of hostiities, the Japanese cap
tured as prizes of war certain Russian mer-
chant ships in neutral ports of Korea.
"Fourth-Japan declared to the Emperor
of Korea, through the japanese minister at
Seoul. that Korea would henceforth be I'M
der Japanese administration and she
warned the Emperor that in case of his non
compliance japanese troops would occupy
the palace
"Fifth-Through the French minister at
Seoul she summoned the Russian represen-
tative at the Korean court to leave the
country, with the STATS of the Russian le-
cation and consulate.
Recognizing that all the above facts
constitute fragrant breach OF international
law, the imperial government considers ii
to be it's duty to lodge a protest with the
powers against this procedure of the Jap
anese government, and it is firmly con-
WINGED that all the powers. valuing the
principals which guarantee their relations.
will agree with the Russian attitude. At
the same time the imperial government con-
siderS 1t 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 govern
ment TO be invalid.
II beg you to communicate this document
to the governments To which you are ac-
credited"