The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-09-12


make. Finally China became party
to a convention with Japan, each agree
ing not to occupy Corean territory
without notice to the other, and by this
act surrendered any claims she may
have made to suzerainty in Corea.
The violation of this convention led to
war, but the real cause was Japan's de-
sire and policy to maintain Corea's
independence against China's purpose
to reassert the rights and privileges of
suzeran.
Why should Japan desire Corea's in
dependence? To interpose between
herself and her ponderous enemy
kingdom whose independence would
command the respect of nations and en-
list their support if assailed, but which
would not be strong enough for aggres-
sion. This is the traditional policy of
the japanese government, to execute
which, when China has interposed to
defeat it by renewing her claim of suzer-
ainty, the island kingdom has embarked
I in war-the battle between David and
Goliath repeated. The Japanese policy
is shrewd one and must enlist the
sympathy of all the civilized peoples of
the globe whose selfish interests are not
involved in the contest. 1t is possible
that Japan has been more brave than
prudent in throwing down the gauntlet
to China. Forty millions of people and
means which long war might exhaust
are pitted against four hundred million
people-more or less-and practically
illimitable resources. Will the events
of the war recall, in its exhibitions of
japanese valor, the exploits at Mara
thon and Thermopyl@?
But Japan may not be allowed to tri-
umph. Russia and England are inter-
ested spectators of the fight. England's
support is on the side of China, and
Russia's eye is open to her own advan-
tages. England has great commercial
interests in China. She holds China as
a foil for her Indian possessions against
attack by Russia, and would make her
protest against a break anywhere in
China's north boundary line. AS Rus
STA covets the possessions of the Sick
Man" in the west, so, in the far east,
on the Pacilic's shores, she has hun
gry eve on the Hermit Kingdom, and
is watchful of an opportunity to seize it,;
or she may appease her present hunger
by a grant of harbor for her vessels
on the Corean coast, and later on make
a square meal off the remainder Of Co
rean territory.
A guaranteed independence, under a
stable government, would unquestion-
ably be blessing to Corea. Japan, for
reasons that reflect high credit upon the
wisdom of her statesmen, desires for
Corea, not annexation, but national in
dependence. annexation would in
volve the necessity and expense of de-
Tense along the boundary line between
China on the west and Russia on the
north; independence would make of the
Corean kingdom buffer against col
{ lision with her formidable neighbors.
Under all the circumstances, the success
of Japan's policy seems impossible OF
realization. She may spill her blood
and spend her treasure in vain but
gallant fight, unless disinterested foreign
powers intervene in her behalf. Single
handed and alone she can hardly expect
to succeed against China's myriads and
her bound-up resources. These, in the
end, must wear out Japanese valor and
crush the Island Empire by the avoirdu-
pois of endless battalions.