Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-05
SUNDAY. AUGUST 5. 1894
The War in the East


The letter from Korea which appears
Sn page OF the Dispatch this morning
contains some interesting facts concern
Ing the government. international rela-
hons, resources. internal conditions, &c.
Of that far-off land. now the cause OF
armed contention between China and
Japan. II also anticipates the declaration
Of war and gives an insight into the
trouble which was seized upon by tho two
Eastern powers as an excuse for hos
tilIties.
We say excuse. for there has been bad
blood between China and japan touch
Ing Korea for many years. and the two
nations have for n long time been de-
sirous Of getting at each others threats
pver the country. The spark that start
ed the fame OF what may prove the
greatest Oriental war Of the century was
q Korean internal rebellion. But. so far
rs Japan is concerned. there was. 1t
is suspected, an incentive to Interior
enee which involved. in addition to the
protection and assertion Of her treaty
rights a japanese internal question. Until
1876. when Japan acknowledged the indie
pcndence OF the Kingdom, the suzerainty
Of Korea had for generations been a
very complex problem. Both Japan and
China claimed 1t, with priority CT claim
In favor OF the former BY the conces-
sion OF 1876 Japan aligned herself in re-
spect OF Korea with all the other treaty
powers except China, but this course
produced dissatisfaction at home and led
10 the Satsuma rebellion. China con-
tnued to assert her authority over her
peninsula nelghbor, and maintain
that she should be consulted and de-
ferred 10 on all national and interna-
fional questions affecting Korea, but has
prroeantly refused 10 hold herself re-
Yponsible for the preservation Of order
pr the redress OF grievances OF and
against foreign powers. The Japanese
have large commercial interests in some
pf the Korean ports. and It can be
readily understood how a condition of
pffairs seriously affecting these interests
might be made a burning question in
the empire, and create a demand for
the government could not afford 10 disre-
gard.
The chances are that in n fight TO the
Finish victory would be with the Japa-
ness. In armament Japan is infinitely
superior TO China. SO also is she I'm the
stamina of her men. unless we include
in Chinas forces some of the cemi-inde-
pendent Western tribes, which could
hardly be made available i'm the conflict.
But in any event the most interesting
question growing out of the war is who
will finally get the bone Of contention.
Students Of Russian policy and manoeu-
Eres in Central and Eastern Asia think.
Ind with reason. that they see behind
lhe struggle--behind even the Korean re-
bellion-the rapacious hand OF the Colos-
lus OF the North. Russia's main depend
tnce as Pacific outlet for her great
Eranscaspian and Siberian railway sys-
tenn is the harbor of Nladivostock. which
j. frozen over several months in the year
Ehe Is known to covet two Of Korea 8
Hnest ports. and several years ago made
advances to the Korean Government
with view 10 establishing n protecto-
rate over the country. These advances
were rejected. and the suspicion now is
that Russia has been intriguing to in
tensify the friction between China and
Japan. and bring about n state OF tur-
MOL in Korea that would give her an
opportunity for playing her old game
that Of intervening in the interest OF
peace" 1t goes without saying. how
fver. that Great Britain Is on guard
not only in Korea, but in China and
Japan as well. and is likely TO play her
Did game also-the game OF checkmating
Russia the moment the latter makes a
move that threatens British prestige in
that quarter. From the standpoint of
these considerations developments will
be watched more closely than from any
pther; for II is pretty generally under
ptood regarding the two European pow
Prs that beneath the surface OF their
Dutgivings as 10 their relations 10 and
Iesires concerning the three parties TO
lhe hostilities a vast deal remains hid
ten.