Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-03
RUSSIA THE VIOLATOR.
Japanese Reply to Charges Of Viola
ton of Chinese Neutrality.

WASHINGTON Feb. THE japanese
government has made verbal denial to
the State department here, and it is
understood to ether governments of
the Russian charges o. violation OF
Chinese neutrality during the present
war. The Japanese statement, just
made public, is couChed in strong lang
uage 1t says that while it is not Jap
ans duty to defend China in this case.
yet so far as the good faith and loyal
ty of Japan are called in question. the
government of that country feels
bound to repel the charges.
These are taken up serlatim. begin
ming with the Ryeshiteini incident.
which the verbal note declares was
nothing more than the adoption by
Japan of just and inevitable measures
of self-defence, made Necessary by
Russia's violation of Chinese neutrali-
ty.
The charges that Chinese brigands
We're commanded by japanese officers
and enrolled in their army. and that
japanese military instructors were
with the Chinese soldiers on the bor-
der, is declared to be without any
foundation whatever. and Russia Is
challenged to produce any evidence III
support of the charge. 1t is denied that
Japan has used the Niaotao Islands as
a naval base, hut il is declared that
Russia has so used tire Islands, and
that a Japanese merchantmen was
sunk in the island waters last March
b. a Russian man-of-war. The Japan
csc admit they have procured war sup
plies from Che Foo. but insist that
these came through private parties.
and that the transactions were legiti-
mate, while Russia. it is alleged. has
fitted out and loaded a ship in Chinese
waters in fragrant violation of Chinese
neutrality.
It is denied that pig iron was sup
FLIED to the Japanese army by the
Chinese government shops at Hany
apg and this is also said to have been
legitimate transaction between indi-
viduals.
Respecting the charge that China is
reriously preparing to engage in the
war. the note says:
1T is difficult to imagine how it would
be possible to frame charges more mis-
chievous or more remote from actual
facts than these. That the Chinese are
| making preparations of this kind is
| entirely destitute of truth, and there is
no anti-foreign movement in China.
| From the beginning Japan has urged
| China to maintain neutrality and pro-
| tcct foreigners. 1t is abunddntly clear
| that the motive of the Russian govern
ment in formulating baSeleSs accuSa-
tions was to relieve themselves of an
engagement the terms of which. with
| the progress of the war, no longer in
ured mainly to their advantage"
The note is supported by detailed
statement under eight heads intended
to show wherein Russia on her part has
violated Chinese neutrality.
Briefly stated. these incidents are con-
nected with the alleged appropriation
by Russia of Manchuran military
stores and provisions. the charter of the
German merchant steamer Foo Ping at
Chifu to carry Russian arms; the dis
patch of $500 900 small arm cartridges
from Kalgan to Port Arthur; the estab-
| lishElent of wireless telegraph commu-
nication between Port Arthur and Chi
| fu; the unwarranted delay of the Rus
sian gunboat Manjour in disarming at
| Shanghai; the flight of Russian officers
and sailors from the RyeShitelni when
they were supposed to be informed; the
| aid extended at Chifu to Russian SOL
| diers fleeing from Port Arthur and the
| maintenance Of 4 large Russian force
| in the region west of Liaoho in viola
| ton of the agreement to limit the thea
| Of war