The morning call., 1894-09-13
LIGHT ON THE WAR IN ASIA.

Light Is thrown on the true inwardness
of the pending contest between China and
Japan by the publication of the text of the
new treaty between Japan and Korea,
simultaneously with the appearance Of the
Chinese declaration of war.
The treaty declares that Japan has no
desire for conquest, but wishes to secure
the independence OF Korea. free from Chi
nese control, and covenants that japan
will assist Korea with men and arms until
a treaty of peace is signed between China
and Korea.
The Chinese declaration of war is more
rhetorical than such documents usually
are. 1t states that China having a close
alliance with Korea has been in the habit
from time immemorial of sending troops
into the PENINSULA TO suppress insurrec-
tions which were too powerful TO be
handled by the native Government In
the month of May one of these insurrec-
lions broke out. the King OF Korea begged
for help from China, and a detachment of
Chinese troops was dispatched accordingly
toward Seoul. But when they reached
the Korean capital they found it in the
possession OF the japanese, who had in
vaded the peninsula and laid hands on the
King and his ministers. China holds that
this invasion was in contravention of law
and treaty, and was undertaken for the
purpose OF reducing the Koreans to
bondage. She further complains that
while she was trying to induce the Japan
ese to arbitrate the case the japanese
fired upon Chinese transports off the sea-
coast and damaged them. Wherefore she
calls her armies into the field TO free the
commands them not to lay down their
arms until they have driven the forces of
the Mikado from Korean soil. 1t may be
observed that the declaration refers to the
japanese by their nickname of wojen,
which is equivalent to contemplate fell
lows-Tather singular verbiage to be con-
tained in solemn declaration of war.
The situation thus sums itself up as
a case in which two belligerent nations
quarrel over the spoil of a weak and prob
ably moribund neighboT. 1t is repetition
of the story of Poland. Both China and
Japan profess TO be concerned for the wei
fare Of Korea, aud to be anxious for the
preservation Of its independence. which
each accuses the other of menacing; but
it needs but slight knowledge of history
TO discern that the secret aim of both is TO
subjugste and annex the peninsula. Each
accuses the other of subverting the Gov
ernment Of Korea; the japanese are said
to hold the person of the King; the Chinese
are charged with resisting the measures IF
administrative reform which the Koreans
want. But the objective point of both is
territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
This wOuld be case to be decided by
the arbit1ament Of the sword, il China
and japan were the only nations con-
ctrned. But there is a third nation more
powerful than either which will have to
be consulted before peace is concluded.
That is Russia. That power will never
permit the Asiaic nations to administer
upon the estate of Korea unless its claims
as collateral heir are admitted. The pos
session of Korean terminus for the
Siberian railroad is absolutely necessary
for the completion of that enterprise. The
road will amount to nothing if it ends in a
cul lie sac. which is closed by ice for six
months in the year. Vladivostok is ice
blockaded throughout the winter and
spring. 1t would be an uncertain depen-
dence in time OF war. and could never be-
come fully developed commercial sea-
port. 1t is of the utmost Importance TO
ANNoSfo ~ LaFO a hHtCH Will D6
open all the year round.
The point which observers of the
present war must watch is, therefore, st.
Petersburg aud not Seoul. The Chinese
and Japanese may fight for long time in
Korea without reaching decisive results.
Japan Is not strong enough to drive the
constantly increasing Chinese levIes out
of the peninsula, and China has no mill
tary system which would enable 1t to
undertake campaign of conquest. Ii no
foreign power intervenes peace will come
when both nations are exhausted, and
things will revert 10 the status quo. But
Russia may at any favorable moment
order cessation of hostilities, and may
charge as the price of its mediation some
such port as Chemuipo.