File No. 861.00/1428
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis)
47. At 11 p.m. [a.m.?], April 3 [4], five Russian soldiers entered a Japanese shop at Vladivostok and demanded money. Upon refusal three Japanese were killed. At about 5 a.m. the morning of April 4 [5], troops were landed from the two Japanese cruisers in the harbor and are now patrolling the city. The Japanese Admiral has furnished commanders of both British and American vessels, and also [Page 101] the American Consul, with a statement that his only purpose in landing men from his ships was to protect Japanese life and property.
Advise Moscow.