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CHAPTER V

A QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY

Arrival at Chemul-po of the Japanese Fleet—Admiral Uriu's Ultimatum—Action of Foreign Naval Commanders—The "Vicksburg" Incident—Conduct of the Russian Naval Commander—Failure of the Neutral Intervention—Opening of the Fight—Destruction of the Russian Ships—International Aspects of the Incident—Diplomatic Correspondence—The Russian Charges—The Japanese Reply—The Truth About the Matter.

At Chemul-po the night of February 8–9, 1904, destined to be so memorable, passed quietly. Before dawn all the Japanese troops had been landed. The first train from Seoul that morning carried the commander of the "Variag," who was on board his ship quite early. The Japanese fleet could be seen, as the haze lifted, lying some distance away in the bay, guarding the channels.

It was not necessary to wait long for developments. About 9.30 o'clock the Japanese consul in the town sent to the Russian and British consuls (no other nationalities were represented) a formal notice from Admiral Uriu, in the form of an ultimatum. In substance, this notice stated that Admiral Uriu would give the Russian ships until 12

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