was because he felt that his military honor would be stained if he attempted to hide under the cover of neutral ships, and he preferred to fight against hopeless odds rather than accept such an alternative.
Such is the story of the beginning of hostilities in Korea, as I learned it from persons who are familiar with the facts. If into some of the trivial details error has crept, it is due to the inevitable variation of people's memories and impressions. But as to the fundamental facts, there is practically no difference of opinion. I asked at least fifty persons in Korea, who by nationality and position are presumably neutral and unprejudiced, the question: "Did the Japanese before the war interfere with telegraphic communication with the outside world? "Not a single person answered in the negative. I also asked them: "Do you believe that the Japanese stopped telegrams from the Russian Government to Mr. Pavloff"? Every person answered emphatically in the affirmative. I admit that I did not put this question to any Japanese or Russians.
It could not be expected that even in the excitement attending the beginning of hostilities such an incident would pass without international comment. The Russian Government, as soon as it could communicate with its representatives who were affected, issued a statement to the world. To this the Japanese Government replied, which was followed by a rejoinder from Russia. These documents formulate the official points of view, and should be permitted to speak for themselves.
