Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-28
ALL WANT COREA
international Complications Between
Russia, China and Japan.
CONFLICTING REPORTS RECEIVED
The Beginning Of the Trouble With
Japan.
INTERESTING SITUATION

Admiral Skerrett's recent Pacific advices
| to the Navy Department concerning the
| alleged peaceful state OF affairs In Corea
are somewhat inconsistent with recent
news from that country received through
other sources. A press dispatch from Tien
Tsin says that japanese troops are in pos
session Of Seoul, the Corean capital, and
that the king Of the country is virtually a
prisoner in their hands. II this report is
true Admiral Skerrett's report that affairs
are In a satisfactory condition must have
related solely to the affairs of the Ameri-
can residents Of Corea. whose interests. OF
course, are paramount from his patriotic
point of view.
Close observers of foreign affairs are said
to be apprehensive Of the political future
of Corea on the general theory that Rus
STA, China and Japan are each secretly in
triguing and maneuvering to secure con-
troll Of the country as a valuable and neces-
sary territorial adjunct 1t is said that
each of the governments named would as
sist in the maintenance of the present gov
eminent Of Corea rather than have the
other nations.
Cause of Troubles.
The recent action Of Japan in landing
troops in Corea may lead to serious entan-
clements. According to a diplomatic au
thority the rights and wrongs of Japan's
grievances against Corea are Of COMPARE
lively little importance. What is important
Is the fact that Japan, by virtually taking
possession of the country, has opened up q
question which may lead TO very serious
consequences before 1t is closed again.
The trouble with the government Of Japan
has grown out of the assassination Of
kim-ok -kiun. at Shanghai by order of the
King Of Corea. Kim had been Corean min
lister to Japan just before the unsuccessful
attempt TO make himself dictator in 1854.
and when he raised his rebellion he was
supported by Japanese troops. After the
failure OF his conspiracy he fled to Japan,
where he was protected by the government
until he was lured away TO China last
greatly tncensed by the murder of its pro-
tege, and its anger was increased by the
line OF conduct pursued by Mr.. iu, the
Corean charge daffaires at Toxic. II will
be remembered that for three days he re-
fused to give up the two brothers Ken,
who fled to his residence for protection
after making an Intellectual attempt to
Kill kim-ok-kiun's fellow conspirator. Boku
Eiko, at Toxic. When at last ne did sur
render them he himself took a hasty and
undignified departure from the country
without giving the government to which
he was accredited any intimation that he
was about to leave. IT was freely rumored
In I1pan 1T the time that he had been
IMPLICATED In the murder OF kim-ok-kiun
and the attempt on Boku Eiko and that
he had bolted to avoid awkward revela-
lions when the brothers Ken came to be
examined In the japanese court.
All these circumstances led 20 a diplo-
matte conflict between the two countries
and eventually the Japanese foreign office
addressed two questions TO the Corean gov
eminent. These questions were: First. why
did the Corean charge d'affaires bolt from
Toxic after the failure OF the attempt to
kill Boku, without going through the usual
Formally or informing the japanese gov
eminent OF his intention? Second. did the
King Of Corea give instructions TO any OF
his subjects or know that instructions were
given to kill a Corean or Coreans who were
living under japanese protection? With
these questions II is said a strong hint was
given OF unpleasant results that would fol-
low unsatisfactory replies The replies evil
IDENTIFY were not TO the japanese taste. and
the present occupation OF the country is
the consequence.
Three Antagonist.
But Of course the matter will not rest
here, nor will Japan be allowed by her
jealous neighbors TO do just as she pleases
In Corea. China and Japan are old rivals
for the suzerainty OF Corea, and in the
trouble between Kim aid the Corean royal
house the true antagonists. who remained
more or less behind the screens and con-
tented themselves with pulling the strings
that made their puppets dance. were the
=
nese. who supported the king. 1t is certain,
therefore. that Japan will have TO contend
with the strongest opposition on the part OF
China.
This rupture between the two countries
will probably be made the most of by Rus-
STA, who. since 1876. has been STRIVING to
absorb the Corean peninsula Russia covets
the country because she wishes to secure IN
the magnificent herbor Of Fusan warner
headquarters for her naval and military
forces on tire Pacific coast than she at pres
ent Possesses at Vladivostock The fact
that her Csun province is largely populated
by Coreans may be regarded as favoring her
hopes. since II gives her that element of
partly assimilated border population en-
which she relies SO much In her annexa-
tons. Such Is the situation. Hitherto China.
Japan and Russia have contented them
selves with jealousy watching each other
without making any decisive move in Corea,
but now that one Of them has resolved to
act the remaining two Of the trio " H. in all