Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-06
RUSSIA AFTER C0REA.
The Safety of the Little Kingdom
Threatened by the Gar.
OTHER NATIONS ARE INTERESTED.
Great Britain. China and japan Said to Be
Extremely Anxious.
UNCLE SANS SHARE IN THE MATTER

UNCLE SANS SHARE IN THE MATTER
LONDON, Aug. 5.-The question of the
future status of the kingdom of Corea is
now probably the most exciting in the
political affairs Of that section of the world.
COres is an undeveloped peninsula of about
llG,0oO square miles, lying on the borders of
the Chinese Empire and Siberia. 1t has for
centuries been regarded by the Emperor of
China as a part of his dominion, and al
though never fully acknowledging the claim
of the Chinese, the Coreans have for ages
paid a small, nominal tribute TO the Pekin
Government, which in return has never
fully pushed its claim of sovereignty.
The envoys of China have always con-
Quoted the train of politics in Corea until
within the past few years, when, as
sisted by foreign powers, Corea has begun
gradually to bristle up and show decided in
clination to throw of all serlblance of ale
glance to China. The Corean army is small
and its arms are of the most primitive type:
thus plainly showing the people that, with
out foreign assistance, her independence
could never be fully gained, were China to OPP
pose il with the vast hordes, led by trained
Europeans, which in such an event she
would throw into the struggling country.
ALL EYES on IT.
That the position of Corea is the important
political topic i'm the East, before which all
Others are dwarfed, can be readily seen by
watching the interest with which Russia,
China, Japan. and even our own country re-
gard .his peninsular Kingdom.
Russia must have an outlet for her fleets
on the Pacific coast of Siberia. Yladivostock,
che only naval pert of Siberia, is blocked
with ice during the greater part of the fall
and winter each year, and in case of a war
presumably with Great Brtain-the Russian
war ships would be without a rendezvous in
which 70 repair the injuries incident to ac-
tive service, while the enemy would control
ports along the Chinese and lower Indian
shores.
Corea has u long coast line, possessing
many excellent harbors open the entire
year and il is upon this account that tho
representatives of the Gar wish the king
dom. They have tried to obtain the long
island OF Tsushima, belonging 10 Japan, as
naval port, but the Japanese, fearing all
RuSSlan CncrOachments, have refused to
ceCe H. and Russia'S attention has now been
turned to the annexation of Corea as a last
resort. The Russian political agents have
been steadily but secretly at work for some
time throughout the entire peninsula gradu-
ally preparing the people for the rule of the
Gar, and when everything is in readiness
the armies of Russia will move down from
siberia and the fleets will appear at the
coast cities and Corca Will pass from the list
Of kingdoms OF Asia and will become prov
-lCC 0l the mighty HuSSlan empire.
BRITAIN ON THE WATCH
Great Britain is fully aware of this antici-
pated extension Of Russian territory in the
East and looks on with dread ut the direful
elect which this new foothold of Russia
will cause upon British commerce in this
section of the globe. Having been forced by
Russia 70 give up Port Hamilton, one of the
Coreau islands, which she had seized and
snrenIaG N cs,r,x,srr In no Sacopd 1,inyaltar
she is now endeavoTing to frustrate all
Russian efforts to acquire territory in
COrea.
To this end she IS trying to enlist China
into an alliance 20 counteract the designs of
Russia, and to obtain this point she even
goes SO 1ar as to promise that she will sane
tion the complete annexation of Corea to |
China, il China will guarantee that she will |
prohibit, and If necessary by force of arms |
prevent, Russia acquiring any territory
suitable for establishing naval stations on |
the Pacific coast. The Admiral commanding
the British fleets in these waters has re-
ceived Instructions from his home Govern
mcut to watch closely and report upon all
movements of Russian officials in the East,
and now no Russian ship of war goes any
where without being preceded or followed |
by British war vessel.
THE INTEREST OF CHINA.
1t is not definitely known that China has |
fully allied herself with England in this |
scheme; in fact, there is grave doubt as to
the benefit, if any, which such an alliance
would confer on China. She is unwilling to
admit the sovereignty OF Corea, and hence
Should Russia attempt to annex that king
dom, it would virtually amount to seizing
part OF Chinese territory. Even viewing it
an this light, it is very proDlematical that
China would resent such an act by force of
arms, as the losses which the Russian troops
in siberia would immedia tely infiict by
rapidly attacking along the entire northern |
boundarya and perhaps even capturing PelIin |
would many times Offset the loss of the |
COrean peninsula to the Chinese eNcheQuer.
Russia is nov ready for WAY and China is |!
not and il IS only question of time when |
The Russian forces win advance and carry
out their intentions. Japan regards Corea |
as the barrier between herself and China |
and Russia. Geographically speaking, this |
Is true, and so long as Corea retains her
autonomy Japan has il AS a safeguard
against any very rapid advance against her
by either OF her two great enemies.
UNCLE SANS INTEREST.
We're Corea to become de facto part of
either China or Russia, it would stand as a |
menace 20 Japan, for being only one days |
steanling from the southern ports of the |
peninsula to the most popuious and richest |
portions OF the japanese Islands, any hos |
tile power obtaining it could ut out expedi- |
tions which in few days could inf1ict un- |
told injuries upon japanese interests, and, |
in case of defeats. would find a refuge in |
many of the excellent Corean harbors,
which could easily be rendered weli-nigh 1
America first threw Corea open to the |
commerce Of the world by the treaty made /
by Commodore Shufeldt ten years ago. and /
since then has looked with fathcrly interest |
Upon Lhe very slow DEVELOPMENT which has |
gradually taken place The United States |
has no interest whatever at stake with |
COrea, and the fate of the kingdom so long |
us it remains open TO American commerce,
concerns the United States not al all: but of |
the countries now striving for its possession |
America would much prefer that Russia /
should annex it, and then the interior of the /
peninsula would be rapidly developed and |
the rich resources of the territory would |
ind their way to the markets Of the word.