Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-07-21

narD0r, Dut IL is better than NladiVOS-
took and its location at least renders il
suitable for Russia's purpose. 1t has
also been stated that the Russian gov
eminent desires to obtain the conces-
sion of this port in order that the rail-
way may be extended to Fusan, a port
in the southern part of Corea How
ever that may be, one thing is certain,
and that is that the occupation by Rus
STA of any portion of Corean territory,
save under the most exceptional cir
cumstances, would be fraught with the
gravest consequences, and might result
in the most serious complications. AS
before intimated, anything which may
be said upon this subject can only be
the merest surmise, in no sense con-
veying any definite or authoritative
knowledge. What Russia really in
tends to do she alone knows. One
thing, however, is reasonably certain,
and that is that it has never been Rus
sia's habit in dealing with Oriental ma
tions. to excite needless animosity or
to precipitate useless complications. To
seize a Corean harbOr by force, or TO
occupy Corean territory without recog-
nizing the validity and force of the in
terests of others, as some Russopho-
bists in the past declares that she in
tends to do, would be a radical depar-
ture from Russia's traditional Asiatic
policy. Russia's advances in that part
of the world have been steady, but
never violently aggressive. Her policy
has been one Of aggandizement, no
doubt, but it has almost invariably been
tempered by the considerable treatment
of the people brought within the grad
ually extending lines of the Empire.
She has sought to conciliate and not to
offend or TO ALLEVIATE those with whom
she has had 10 deal. 1t would conse-
quently be strange if at this late day
she changed this policy by prematurely
and unnecessarily precipitating a set
Element on which others are as deeply
interested as herself.
The circumstances attending the oc-
cupatlon of Fort Hamilton by Great
Britain in 1885 will perhaps throw some
light upon the present situation. In oc-
cupying this Corean island without the
previous consent Of Corea the Brit
ish government made no cOncealment OF
the fact that their action was dictated
by an anticipation of future evcntuali-
ties" with which Russia had TO do. The
instructions given to the British admiral
to raise the British flag upon the island
at the moment hen a Russian vessel
appeared clearly indicated the nature OF
the contingency contemplated by TINS
diplomatic phrase. Presumably the
British government thought, as many
others certainly thought, that Russia
had designs upon Corean territory.
Russia however, did not follow Great
Britain's example and the incident fl
nally terminated by the evacuation of
Port Hamilton upon a guarantee given
by China to Great Britain that in the
event of the temporary occupation ceas-
ing, neither the group Of islands III
which Port Hamilton is situated, nor
any part of the Corean territory shall
be occupied by another power WhetA-
er or not recent events have, in their
own estimation absolved The Chinese
government from this obligation is a
question. BY the treaty of peace with
Japan they formally renowned their
claim to suserainty over Corea, but
still the forcible seizure of any por-
ton of the territory Of tina country by q
foreign power would be a menace to
China. SO it undoubtedly would be to
Japan, and Great Britain has con-
clusively shown by her past action that
she holds the same views as regards her
own interests
Taking all the circumstances into ac-
count il is most reasonable to conclude
that no such occupation Of Corean ter
ritory is probable. The consequences
would be too momentOus and too far
reaching to be rashly Of thought
lessly provoked. If the interests Of any
nation demand a REIMBURSEMENT OF the
present situation diplomacy and not
force will doubtless be the agency en-
ployed.
In view of these various contingencies
the situation in COrea is a matter OF
great consequence. Unfortunately the
reports which we have concerning it
are not at all encouraging. One thing
is clear. namely: that the japanese
government have tried sincerely and
faithfully to carry out the programme
which they laid down at the outset
The rehabilitation of Corea is a mat
ter of vital consequence to them, and
they have omitted no effort to bring
it about Possibly it is yet too soon
to anticipate the complete success OF a
project involved in so many difficulties,
but it must be confessed that even the
partial measure of success of success
which might not unreasonably have
been anticipated seems to be lacking.
('OTQn
bv one of her ablest statesmen, Count
Inouye. He is thoroughly familiar
with the country and its people, and his
great abilities and untiring zeal are
guarantee for the skilful management
of any enterprise which he may under
take. From reports which have reach
ed this country il would appear that he
has met with innumerable difficulties
and has at times almost despalred OF
success. Corea. sunk in the sloth and
corruption of centuries, does not seem
capable even of responding to efforts
intended solely for her own good.
Rut however slow may be the process
of regeneration. one thing may be de
Dended upon. that the japanese govern
Inent will continue to preserve In their
efforts to place the Hermit Kingdom
in a position which shall entitle it to
the respect and consideration of the
world. Japan has put her hand to the
Dlough. and cannot turn back, even If
She would. For it should not be for
gotten that she has not entered upon
merely quiXotic enterprise FOR the
benefit of her neighbOr. The mainte-
nance of former conditions in Corea
was not alone hurtful to that country
hut also a menace to Japan, and ia
mans present action is, therefore, in
nerfect accord with those principles Of
"enlightened self-interest' which should
guide every nation.