Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-29

| protector, has seized a golden opportunity
| 10 endeayor TO break the back of what
| she regards as China's impudent claim
| TO vassaiage. And ! am strengthened In
| this view by the fact that the present adj
| visery OF the King OF Corea were both
| attracted into that service from Japan.
| The first. General lie Gendre. was for
many years associated with the state de-
partments of that empire. He was rromi-
! nent In their Formosa trouble, and II
| may be safely concluded that the influence
| of this SCARED American general, who Ii
| Of French extraction. was toward Japan
| and against China. To Mr.. Greathouse,
an ex-United States Consui-General to
Japan. now also In the Corean King 8
| service. the wisdom OF such policy Of
| stemming Chinese aggression and thwart-
Ing Russian design for naval seat at
| the key OF Asia. must also have as
serted Itself In any influence he could
exert.
Is CHINA sUZERAIN d?
Residence In Japan and acquaintance
with the determination or the sturdy
ministers who lifted her from feudalism
and isolation into civilized renown tell
me that her representative In England
makes no empty threat when he says
that she Is not to be frightened from her
purpose OF reform and retention OF in
dependence by Chinese threat or by repe-
tition OF the time-lichened claim or suze-
rainty. 1t is an old story ana goes back
to almost traditional date. Not mecca
sary is II now to discuss the fabric OF
that demand for vassalage. Any virtue
il may have possessed has lapsed, and II
indeed Corea remains a tributary State
Of China such relations cannot be said
to affect sovereign and independent rights;
and az 10 the payment OF tribute. China
was paid tribute on account or Burmah
by our government, but that did not
affect the rights Of the British Empire;
and to refute the assertion that Corea is
a dependent State. II la but necessary
to point TO the treaties she has executed
with Japan and western powers.
AN UNERRING TEST OF INDEPEND-
ENCE.
These covenants OF navigation. friend
ship. and commerce were entered into in
dependenty OF China. and such an act
surely IL that that Of q vassal state. This.
to my mind IS an unerring test OF sove-
reignty and independence. IL Is true that
in the case of the covenant with the
United States Government the Chinese
Viceroy dld urge some such contention
of SUI .ralnty; but that view was secuted,
and the treaty signed on the same basis
as those with other independent powers.
The Lilto convention further even robbed
China Of the right to send troops TO Corea
without the consent Of Japan. Space
precludes the statement OF many other
evidences opposed TO the Chinese view,
which has always beer, stoutly contested
by the japanese. Indeed. their treaty con-
cluded In February. 1876, states that.
"Chosen, being an Independent State. en-
Joys the same sovereign rights as does
Japan. and that their intercourse shall
thenceforward be carried on In terms OF
equality and courtesy"
WHO WILL BE THE VICTOR.
Passage Of time often brings around
opportunity OF requittai. and it is espe-
cially appropriate that Japan should in
tervene in the interest OF the well-being
OF Corea. While the former has pro-
crossed. the latter has receded In point Of
civilization. but Corea has left an iBdelble
mark OF enlightened influence on Japan.
Ages ago she sent her scholars, her
philosophers. and her arts to the land
OF the Mikados. In the year 2S3, one
Wani Corean scholar. instructed the
Emperors son. SilltwOrms and mulberry
trees were sent thither. tailors followed
in al architects twenty years later.
and learned men with the turn into the
sixth century. Subsequently there immi-
grated tiNli'o' u'NiDit'i'i'aH ~
mathematicians, Buddhist missionaries.
bringing with them arts. sciences. let
ters. and written literature-a wave OF
foreign civilization.
Now, Japan, according to her story
seeks 10 do something in return. II Is to
be hoped the end will be attained pacih-
cay; but, in the event OF clash of arms,
there is little doubt as 10 the result
Numerically, Chna's force is strong, but
Il is ill-driled and OF Indifferent material
on the other hand. the japanese are born
soldiers and sailors. Her military force
is highly trained, admirably armed, and
has for years absorbed the best instruction
the West can give. and her well-manned
navy does not stand at "A lower point OF
excellence. OF the men In the latter
branch of the service. Captain lngles. Il.
~, once said that he hardly knew how
10 find fault with either officers or crew.
Thus Japan possesses all the elements ne
cessary for a successful maintenance OK
the position she has taken up, and pre-
sents front before which China may
we'll first hesitate, and finally submit. ana
thus close difficulty which seems 10
have reached q stage of acuteness.