The San Francisco call., 1904-03-23

SEOUL, Korea, Feb. u. - Seoul
to-day has witnessed the clos
ing OF the Russian legation and the
departure OF N. Alexander Pavlov, the
Russian Minister, his family and staff.
as well as a complete legation guard
OF upward OF sixty men. In addition
10 the members OF the legation and
other Russian officials priests and resi-
dents left Korea TO seek a haven of
refuge.
At s o'clock in the morning large
crowds had assembled at the railway
station, many 10 say good-by to valued
friends, but more drawn by curiosity.
In q heavy snowstorm stood American,
British, French, German, Italian. Bel
gfan and japanese Ministers and lega-
ton officials TO bid farewell TO their un-
happy Russian colleague, and lined up
on the platforms were some 40 Jap
snese soldiers. restraining the crowd
from interfering with the comfort Of
the travellers.
The special train which had been pro-
vfded by the japanese Railway Com
Pany left at twenty-five minutes 10 2
o'clock. It comprised three cars, and
japanese soldiers. Although there was
plenty Of color and life. the scene was
anything but a gay one. and bore many
evidences Of sadness, for none Of the
passengers were leaving Of their own
free VIII.
In less than one week the active Jap
anese Government had outstripped its
powerful opponent in striving for con-
1900 troops Of Japan had quietly and
without opposition marched into Seoul,
thus securing possession OF the city,
for ii would be the last thought IF the
Korean Government TO use its army Ct
10000 soldiers against any force Of
armed men possessing evidence Of
strength.
The troops had scarcely found rest
In temporary barracks before the Jap
anese Minister sent a polite message tC
the Russian Minister, through his
friend. the Vicomte de Fontenay, the
French Minister. indicating that his
continued presence in Korea was not
desired at this particular moment.
There was no alternative but TO give
immediate compliance TO the wishes eX-
pressed by the representative Of the
japanese Government
HOW THE RUSSIANS LEFT.
At a quarter TO ten o'clock the spe-
cial train. bearing the Russian Min
lister. ~ PavIov. his family. the lega-
tion attaches. his marine guard and the
Russian residents Of Seoul, eighty four
persons all told, reached the ChemulpO
railway station from Seoul. At the
railway station at ChemUlDo were
drawn uD two hundred japanese
troops. AT the head of the hatoba
landing stsge). adjacent 70 the sta
ti0n. an additional three hundred
troops were on guard.
Major General Ichichi Of the Japan
ese forces, accompanied N. Pavlov on
the train, also NJ. Eugene Dradier,
Vice Consul for France at Seoul No
others outside of the Russian party
were allowed on the train. The Rus
sian legation guard. numbering sixty
four marines. were detrained fully
armed. with full cartridge belts and
fixed bayOnets.
As II. Pavlov. at the head Of his
party. with the Russian marines bring
ing up the rear. passed down the line
Of japanese troops, a salute was blown
on the bugles and the men stood at at
tention. The party was Joined by the
Consul. N. POlianovsky and the half
dozen Russian residents Of Chemulpo
and proceeded directly to the landing
stage. where launches and cutters from
both the British cruiser Talbot and
the French cruiser Pascal were wait
ing The party embarked at once and
proceeded 70 the Pascal. which viii
leave for Chefu, China, as soon as ar
rangements are completed with Rear
Admiral Uriu. commanding the Jap
anese feet at the entrance to the har-
Dor, for the free passage OF the ship.
In spite OF the far-reaching influence
possessed bv II. Pavlov in the Korean
Court up to FIVE days ago. not a single
Korean official was present TO wish
him good-b by. n. Pavlov's arrivals