The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-08-02
TIE KOREAN WAR.

over the possession of the semi-independ-
ent Kingdom of Korea. This is a
mountainous peninsula, lying opposite
the southern portion of the United
States, and having about as much terri
tory as Indiana and Illinois, and the
population of those States and Michigan.
Its principal city-Seoul-has 100000
inhabitants, or about as many as there
are in Pittsburg OF Washington. The
people are much lower in civilization
than the japanese or Chinese, and all
their arts and institutions are in q very
crude stage of development. Yet the
trade of 100000 people who are
doing anything at all is quite important,
and there has been much rivalry for it,
not only between Japan and China, but
also among European nations.
China has from time immemorial ex-
ercised kind of suzerainty over Korea,
received small tribute from the coun-
try, and sent the Government the official
calendar before the beginning of every
year. The country lies very neighborly
to the coasts of both Japan and China,
and intercourse with it is easy for both
countries. Both would like to have
complete possession of If, especially
Japan, who is looking for fresh outlets
for her teeming, active, manufacturing
and trading population. Undoubtedly,
Japan aspires to be the England of the
East, and her geographical position, re-
sources and the genius Of her people
Justify her in having such aspirations.
If she can gel possession Of Korea it
will be in the direction of progress, be-
cause she will compel higher eiviliza-
ton and greater activity in all manner
Of production. If, on the other hand,
China retains control, Korea will remain
in the same backward stage she has
been for unnumbered centuries.
Russia is also believed to have designs
on the peninsula, to round out her
Pacific Coast, and give her seaports far
Their south than she can now have.
1t is claimed that Russia is backing
Japan in the present struggle, and Eng
land China, and that therefore it may
lead to the long-anticipated collision
between England and Russia over SD
premacy in the East.
If Japan and China are left to fight it
out alone Japan will probably win.
Though China has fully 10 times as
many people as japan, and in the ag-
gregate vastly greater wealth, her re-
sources are not so concentrated and
available. China has over 400,000,000
people, but they are distributed over
about twice as much territory as there is
in the United States, and they have little
community of interest or conference in
ideas. The country has really no ma
tional life. The people are essentially
peaceful and non-military. Some at
tempts have been made to introduce
Western ideas as to armies, modern arms,
tactics, and naval equipments, but these
do not appear to have taken deep root.
On the other hand, Japan has 10000
900 people, concentrated in a territory
not so large as California. They are an
intensely live, progressive people, full of
national spirit, proud of their country
and themselves, yet quick to perceive and
initiate any superiority they see in foreign
ers. They have always been fighters, and
held the military profession in high
honor. They saw at once the advantage
of Western arms and ornaments, and
began Immediately to get up an army
and navy on the European plan. While
their soldiers would not be at all equal
to the same number of European or
American troops, they are undoubtedly
much superior to any other Asiatic SOL
diers, and ship for ship they will prob
ably win every time against the Chinese.
The Koreans have for years been en-
deavoring to organize an army in the civil
lied way, and Gen. VIM. Nee. Dye, who
was Colonel of the Goth Iowa, and COM
manded brigade in the Army of the
Tennessee, has had charge of the work.
But the Korean army does not seem to