The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-28
wAK BETWEEN CHINA AspsArAS.

War Is reported as declared between
China and Japan with regard 70 the occn-
patton Of Korea This war viii be watched
With interest by Europe, as Russia is sus-
pected Of seeking pretaxt for the occups-
ton Of one Of the Korean ssaporss iRorder
10 eomplets the development Of her naval
power on the Pacific. If Russia should
attempt any move in this direction Eng
land would probably resist it and occupy
the island Of Port Hamilton.
The Korean question. it isquite possible,
therefore, may not be left to settle itselfby
the fate Of war between China and
Japan; it may yet drag Russia and Eng
land into conflict. The historical facts
are worth reciting in explanation of this
war between China and Japan. Japan
is not the aggressor, but has been forced
by the attitude OF the Pekin government
TO come to the defense OF rs citizens re-
siding in Korea The trade interests of
japan In Korea are larger than those Of
any other country and there are more
japanese in Korea than there are repre-
sentatives of any other foreign nationality.
II therefore beea ne the duty of the gov
eminent Of Japan to protect its subjects
In Korea at time when the constituted
authorities OF Korea became unable to en-
force law and maintain order.
The events of the last dozen years haye
warned the japanese government that
prompt and vigorous action was necessary,
because whenever disturbance has hith-
erto occurred In Korea the Japanese resi-
dents have suffered the brunt of insurrec-
sionary violence. In 1852 the Japanese
legation at Seoul, the capital Of Korea,
was looted. members of the minister's
suite were murdered by the mob and the
Japanese minister himself was driven out
of Seoul and forced to take refuge in
fishing boat, from which he was with diff
Guilty rescued. In 1854, when another
great revolt broke out. the japanese lega-
ton was burned. forty-two peaceful Jap
anese were murdered In the streets OF
Seoul, and the minister with his suite and
guard of 40 soldiers were obliged to
fight their way out of this city Of 800, 600
people. An indemnity was prom
Used, but after one payment had been
made the amount remaining due was
RENTED.
The Korean insurrection of 1894 was fol-
lowed the next year by the Tientsin con-
vention, whereby the Pekin government
acknowledged that Japan had as much
right to send troops to Korea, for the pro-
lection of its subjects sojourning in that
kingdem, rs China herself had. 1t was,
however. agreed by that convention that
neither the Chinese nor the japanese gov
eminent should send soldiers 10 the penin-
sular kingdom without consulting the
other
In the present instance this agreement
was broken by China, which despatched
troops to Korea without consulting Japan.
| When the conventen of nentsin Of 1885
had been violated BY China, the Japanese
government rightfully proceeded to for
ward a military force to Korea for the de-
Tense of their fellow eountrymen residing
in that kingdom. There is no foundation
| for the assertion that China offered to
withdraw her troops from Korea on condi-
| ton that Japan would do the same. The
GPekin government declined to give any
such assurance. ard IL twice rejected the
request that il would Join with Japan in
making such diplomatic representations
at Seoul rs world secure the reform of the
abuses that caused the present domestic
revolttn Korea The Chinese council of
ministers ignored the offer Of the British
MINISTER 10 mediate between the two
countries add reiterated its demand for
the summary recall OF the Japanese
soldiers
In other words. the Pckin government
appears TO hold that the Japan govern
ment has no rights under the Tientsin
treaty of 1855, and that China is not bound
by the obligations which that convention
imposed upon her. On the other hand,
Japan has acted with great moderation.
for while asserting its determination to
protect japanese residents of Korea, a
right conceded BY the treaty OF Tlsutsin In
1885. the mikado's ministers expressly
and smphatleally diselaim any purpose OF
territorial sggrandiEement, and pledge
themselves 10 withdraw their troops as
coon as tho present revolt in Korea Is
qaelled and satisfactory evidence is forth.
coming that tranquility will henoeforth bs
assured"