Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1904

[Untitled]

Russian Embassy,
Washington, February 10, 1904.

Translation of a telegram from Count Lamsdorff of the 9th of February, 1904, left at the Department by the Russian ambassador.

In the night 27th January [9th February], a detachment of Japanese torpedo boats unexpectedly attacked the Russian squadron lying at anchor in the outer roadstead of the fortress of Port Arthur. This attack being a beginning of military operations it obliges the Imperial Government to take immediate measures to reply by armed force to the challenge thrown at Russia.

Please inform the Government to which you are accredited.