Evening star., 1895-10-18
RUSSIA TO LEND A HAND
Will Take Steps to Prevent Disorder in
Corea.
Made to the Japanese
Minister at st. Petersburg-An In
terview With Minister Kurino.

PARIS, October 1S.-A special dispatch to
the Eclair from St. Petersburg, which is
published today, says that an exchange Of
communications has occurred between the
Russian government and the Japanese min
lister at st. Petersburg with reference to
the recent disorders at Seoul, the capital of
Corea. 1t Is added that the Japanese min
lister assured the Russian government that
the culprits would be punished. But Russia
is said to have replied that she would be
forced, in consequence of the riots, to take
the steps necessary to preserve order and
make the Corean government Independent
of foreign Interference.
What Japan's Purpose Is.
Minister Kurino of Japan consented to-
day to be interviewed as to the recent
stirring events in Corea attending the dis
appearance of the queen, and the reported
significance Of the trouble in showing
Japan's purpose to establish protectorate
over the hermit kingdom
Japan has no purpose whatever of es-
tablishing a protectorate over Corea," said
the minister. This can be stated with alb
solute positiveness. The treaty of Shimo-
noseki, signed by Japan and China, recog-
nized the complete independence of Corea,
and Japan has fully complied with the let
ter and spirit of the treaty. The Japanese
soldiers now in Corea are there for police
Ii
army of occupation or conquest, and no
Significance can be attached to their pres
ence except that Japan is desirous of pro-
tecting her citizens in Corea.
Soldiers There Under Treaty.
1.-THE Japanese are so numerous in Corea
that our government sought the privilege
by treaty Of maintaining an armed force
there as means of protection. treaty
to this effect was made, so that Japanese
soldiers are in Corea under a treaty This
step was positive necessity on the part
OF Japan. Ihe Japanese residents and mer-
chants in Corea could not be protected in
thelr trade or persons by the weak and
inadequate police and military authorities
of Corea. The local force is antiouated
ana the officials have no comprehension of
the protection due to foreign interests IT.
therefore, the Japanese were to be protect
ed at all, it had to be by their own soldiers
and to this Corea assented.
Need of This Protection.
THE need Of this protection has been
shown In many ways Of late In one in
stance the local officials prohibited the ex-
port of corn, rice or beans. This caused
great loss to the japanese merchants en-
gagged in that trade. The prohibition was
directly contrary to the treaty with Japan,
which stated that there should be no pro-
motion except in case of short crops in
Corea' and 1t was put into effect when
|
reans, having no regard for treaties, STOP
ped the grain export Later they agreed to
pay $4,000 indemnity for the damage to
japanese merchants, but the treasury was
unable to pay. In another instance they
prohibited the export of root which is a
large article of commerce.
Evidences of Corruption.
These ac-s would not be so Irritating If
they were not accompanied with clear evil
dences of corruption. The local officials
are ready to withhold the prohibitions for
CASH consideration. and not getting this,
the restriction is imposed, causing the at
tendant loss to japanese merchants
Under such circumstar ces. the need of
self-protection is evident. and the policy of
Japan in securing order, honesty and fair
dealing is Of as much interest and benefit
to the rest of the world as it Is to Japan.
Our people have been hopeful that Corea
could be placed on the road to civilization
that her commerce could be opened with
the rest Of the world, ard Japan's entire
interest in Corea is to help along this civil
lZing process"
The-d;spatch continues: "As to the course
proposed, Russia will do her duty, what
ever is entailed, without stopping TO in
euire whethe, other powers like it, or do
not like it. She will never abandon Corea
and will protect her against all encroach-
mentS."