The morning call., 1894-07-27
THE QUARREL OVER KOREA.

1t has not been deemed worth while to
devote editorial space to the rumors OF
war in Korea, first because the dispatches
seemed 10 stand in grave need OF contrma-
ton, and secondly because it appeared
indiscreet to rouse expectations which the
event might dispel. A real war between
China and Japan, with Russia on the one
side, and perhaps the western powers of
Earope on the other, giving secret aid and
comfort, would create changes in the COM
mercial world which would concern many
DEPARTMENTS of trade.
But there does not seem to be much
ground for hostilities between the two
countries. Korea is an Independent state,
which pays tribute to both China and
Japan. 1t Is about half the size of Cali
fornia, and contains population which is
supposed to number six or seven millions.
With China it is coterminous; 1t is divided
from Japan by the straits of Korea, which
can be crossed in few hours by steamer.
Several times in the course of history
China and Japan have gone to war over
Korea, China trying to annex the PENN
sula, and Japan defending it in order to
keep China at arms length. Nine years
ago intrigues at Seoul seemed to threaten
a revival of hostilities. but the two powers,
under the advice of The Christian nations.
concluded treaty by which they bound
themselves to a policy of non-interference
in Korea, on the condition that the King
of that state would keep on foot an army
strong enough to maintain the peace in his
dominions. 1t is understood that the
treaty caused considerable friction both
at Picking and Toxic.
1t will be seen at a glance that japan
has no call to invade Korea except foY che
protection of japanese interests and vindi-
cation of treaty provisions unless China
makes l06gment thereon with an army
larger than the Korean army can handle,
and that China would not find in tenn
porary conquest of Korea a reward for the
risk and expense of a war of invasion
Thus on the face of things, there would
seem TO be no reason why the two nations
should go to war over Korea. But there
is a third nation which may possibly see
reason for moving in the matter. That Is
Russia. The Siberian railroad will have
its terminus on the Pacific at VladivOstock,
W hich the ice blOckades for several months
every winter. II can have no other ter
minus in Siberia. As a military road.
therefore, it would possess no value for
nearly half the year. This must be an
annoyance to the Russian military author
tiles, and they must have looked for years
with eyes Of envy on the ports of North
eastern Korea, any one of which would
serve as terminus to the railroad with
an open roadstead all the year round.
Perhaps this consideration may be profit
ably studied in the light of the assertion of
the official NOU0e VremyG that Russia
is Indifferent to the fate of Korea, and
ought to help China" Why should Rus
STA go out of her way to help China?
If Russia has made up her mind to Sc
cure in Korea a western terminus for her
railroad, perhaps the shortest way 20 get
it would be 20 put China forward with one
of the pretexts she always holds in re-
serve and to move to her aid whenever the
Koreans showed disposition 10 defend
their territory. Japan might side with the
latter, but could do nothing against the
Chinese and Russians combined. The
western powers of Europe would be gain
ers by the transfer of Korea from the
present utterly barbarOus royal regime to
the only semi-Darbarous rule of Russia,
but England especially might object to
such development of Russian power in
the Pacific.
The main point of interest for us in the
misty imbroglio is the demand for mer-
chandise which a Chinese-J Japanese Rus
sian conflict would arouse at this port. 1t
would be necessary for San Francisco to
help clothe. feed, arm and transport the
belgerents. But it is best not to be too
certain that there is going to be any war
at ALL