The morning call., 1894-07-25

exacted the most complete reparation for in
jures inflicted upon her subjects and their
property In Korea. For centuries she had re-
peatedly invaded the peninsula and the only
excuse she had recently advanced for such
proceedings is that her people have large fnan-
cal interests in the country. There was a
time, long ago, when Japan asserted that Korea
was her vassa but she has done nothing for
ages to make the claim valid. In fact Korea
has for hundreds OF years been one of the vas
sal States of China, and, though Japan pretends
to ignore this relationship, she knows very we'll
that it exists. 1t is her present attempt TO
revolutioniZe the traditional state of things in
Korea that may very easily give rise 10 compli-
cations of formidable kind
Japan has now come forward with entirely
new demands. She says she is tired of sending
armies into Korea for the purpose of protecting
her large interests there. There is no doubt
that she Is deeply concerned In the peace and
prosperity of Korea. Her people who live
there in trade far outnumher all the other
foreigners put together. They have absorbed
nearly the entire export trade of the country.
They control the Mint, though il does not ap-
pear that they have done much 10 improve
Korea's circulating medium. They have es-
tablished banking business at The capital and
the amiable King is a large borrower. He has,
very likely. forgotten the time when he ana his
Government were free from fina nclal obliga-
tions TO Japanese money lenders. But with all
their active and prominent participation in the
business Of the country the Japanese are most
unpopular They treat the Koreans as their
interiors and are cordially hated for
their superoiiieus and arrogant airs.
Nobody, however, can blame Japan
for trying TO safeguard her interests;
and it cannot be denied that, though China col
lects the customs, is recognized by King Ii Hsi
as his SuZerain, receives the tribute that annu-
ally Wends its3way from Seoul TO Peking, man-
tains resident at the capital whose word Is
usually respected as q royal mandate and
always responds with her regiments TO Korea's
appeal for military aid, Japan has valid and
important interests in the country.
A few weeks ago Japan demanded that China
join her In imposing fiscal reform upon the
country and in the correction OF political abuses
so TO do away with the periodical insuTec
tons that completely upset the country and In
fict great annoyance and damage upon all
foreigners engaged there. This seems TO be a
progressive and laudable Idea, but conservative
and suspicious China has declined the proposal
with thanks. Her answer was that it has been
her traditional policy not 10 interfere fOrcibly
in The Internal affairs of vassal state. There
upon Japan replied that if China would not help
her reform The country she would undertake
the task herself. 1t is this new phase of Ko-
rean affairs that may lead to ugly complica-
tons and make The Pacific border of Asia for a
while an object OF particular attention TO all the
| nations.
At this point Russia thought 1t timely to
make few remarks. she has warned Japan
that she viii not be permitted 10 acquire terri
tOrial rights in Korea. This is what might have
been ptcled. China and Japan long ago
would have been at odds over the Hermit ma
ton If both Of them had not feared that. if they
quarreled. Russia would make that disturbance
pretext for occupying Korea. Russia longs
to add this fine peninsula to her Aslatlc do
main. Korea would give her the straleGetlcal
and commercial position on the Pacfcawhich
her icebound northern coast does not afford
The Koreans in considerable numbers. are al
ready living ia the Cars province of Ussuri,
and Russia finds them a hard-w0rk1ng people
who are helping TO make the province a field OF
fruiIfuIness. Some of the finest hal bors in The
world lie along KOreas coasts, and Russia.
with only Vladivostock, icebOund nearly half
the year, looks longingly southwark 10 the
splendid harbors of Gen-san and Fou-San,
wher her warships might ride at anchor In
the most furious gales with no danger of being
held by an ice blockade.
In many ways Russia is constantly showing
her deep interest in Korea OF late years her
officers and agents have been pushing their
surveys far and wide n Korean territory, and
the only decent map we have of the country
emapates from Russian sources. The Cars
pioneers never lose an opportunity TO cultivate
the fiendllest relations with their rather un-
sOciable neighbors on the south. and have cor
daily invited them to move over the border and
live in the Russian villages We do not lose
sight of the fact that eight years ago China
obtained from the Russian Gov ernment a dis
rinct official pledge that she would not occupy
Korea. China ana Japan, however, are not de-
ceiyed as to the value OF such an engagement;