The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-14
JAPAN AND KOREA.
Historical Relations of the Mikado's
Realm TO the Peninsula.
New York Sun


IA the mikado's government seems de-
mined to maintain an armed force in
Korea. and naturally, therefore, is cred
tied with desire 10 annex that country,
it is worth while to review the reasons for
believing that such conquest would be
exceedingly acceptable to the natives of
Japan. Not only vas the prehistoric rela-
ton of the Korean peninsula to the jap
anese islands direct and intimate; not
only were civilization. literature, and the
Buddhist religion transmitted from the
mainland kingdom TO its insular neighbor;
but in historical times and down to a rela-
lively recent period Japan has held, or
tried to hold, its parent state in vassalage.
A glance at the map will show that the
northwestern angle OF kyushu, where
Japanese civilization began. is not far dis
tant from the southeastern corner of Ko-
rea, aud that even the narrow intervening
channel is divided midway by the Tsu-
shima islands. These geographical facts.
coupled with chronological resemblances,
have led modern scholars to adopt the ma
tive tradition that by this route two great
streams of colonization entered Japan,
and gradually expelled the Anus and
other indigenous inhabitants 10 Yezo. AL
ready in prehistoric times the current of
conquest began to flow backward from the
island monarchy TO the peninsula, for
there are legends that a brother of the
Emperor Jimmu (B. G. 66O-5S5) became the
| king'of Shiragi, a division of Korea, and
| that the Emperor SUNNI [ b. c. 29) sent an
| expedition 10 sustain the Korean Prince
| of Mimana, who was his vassaL We find
ourselves on firm historical ground in the
first half of the third century of our era,
when the Empress lingo effected thor
/ ough conquest of Korea, and made its
provinces tributary to Japan. Then IL was
| that Chinese literature, science and art,
| and eventually the Buddhist religion, con-
| yeyed through Korean pupils and con-
verts. reached the Japanese islands and
brought about drastic transformation Of
| their inhabitants.
For nearly 450 years after its reduction
| by the Empress lingo the Korean PENN
suIa remained tributary 20 Japan, and is
| acknowledged by the iatters official his
torians to have rendered great material
and moral services TO its sazerain. AOout
the middle OF the seventh century, how
ever, the Koreans, encouraged by the
Chinese, then under the powerful sway of
the Tang dynasty, reyolted. and, after
vigorous hut Intellectual efforts 10 subdue
them. the Emperor Tenchi "a. ID. 670) de-
termined 20 abandon Japan's conqnests in
Korea. Some SIX hundred years later the
peninsula was made the basis Of an
attempt 10 subiugate the japanese
island by kublai Khan, the great
Mongol emperor of China, whose power
and ability we're made known 10 Faro
peans by Marco Polo. An immense tieet
and 10000 trained soldiers, supplied, IL IS
said. with heavy ordnance, were sent
against Japan. but after a desperate strug-
gle the ships were beaten OF and the
army was almost entirely destroyed.
Thus ended the tirst and only attempt of
China 20 annex Japan. bat ii left In the
japanese mind = rooted conviction that
Korea, owing TO its proximity and sira-
tsgcal importance. must either remain IN
| dependent of the Middle Kingdom or be
made tributary 10 the mlkaco.
Near the close of the sixteenth century
Htdeyoshi, regent OF Japan, aud perhaps
the greatest name IN his country's history,
/ resolved 10 reverse the programme Of
/ kHbiai Khan, and TO make OF Korea a full
crum whereby 10 overtarow the Chinese
! empire He was persuaded that the
japanese army would defeat the Chinese.
/ AID that IN the space Of two years the
/ conquest OF the Middle Kingdom might %
/ accomplished, In which event he pur-
/ posed 10 transfer the mikados capital 10
! China. The japanese troops experienced
{ 10 difficulty N occnpy.n the Korean
I peninsula. and, after defeating several
Chinese armies. were on the polbt OF in
vsGiag the Middle Kingdom by the route
which was presently to Be followed by the
Manehus ahen the death OF Hiceyoshi
pat stop TO his colossal project and led
20 the recall OF the japanese forces Prom
that time. however, until Nay. ls5o. when
korsa's undergraduates sas formally rscog-