The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-29
Nortbern Montana News

passing through Corea from Fusan to
wiju and thence by the coast of the
Yellow sea to Kinchua. Haicheng and
Yingkau. The most arduous duties de-
volving upon the Japanese troops
volving upon the japanese forces in Co
rea during the winter of 1S94-s5 were to
preserve the telegraph line against unre-
hitting attempts to injure IL by the
Tonghaks and other ill-disposed Coreans,
and to repel attacks constantly made
upon commissariat stations and provision
trains. These troubles disappeared after
the complete collapse of China ana the
subjugation of the Tonghak rebels, and
for some time past the japanese troops
in Corea have been virtually without en-
ployment. Their withdrawal has been de-
ferred only until terms were finally ar
ranged for the retrocession of the Leao-
tong peninsula and Japan's other terrific
rial acquisitions in Manchuria, and, since
II has now been decided, by conference.
between the Chinese and Japanese pleni-
potentiaries in Picking that Leaotong Is
to be evacuated within three months, the
forces remaining in Corea will naturally
be brought home about the same time.
The programme is simple, and no SIMS
ter significance of any" kind attaches to
the last step. But a determined attempt
is being made. especially by some of the
local English journalists in Japan, to
ans forces from Corea as a direct result
of Russian menaces, and this view of the
matter is elaborated by sweeping allu-
sions to the humiliation that the states
men in Tokyo have brought upon their
country and by infiammatory predictions
that the nation will rise en- masse against
such invertebrate bungling diplomacy. In
truth the local English press in japan de-
fies any reasonable explanation. Jour-
nails published in Egypt for the further
ance of French interest devote them
selves with scarcely more ardor or I'M
scrupulousness to impeding Great Brit
aims administrative task than do some of
the English journals of Japan to attack
ing the cabinet and fomenting political
agitation. The excellent effect produced
by the British governments equitable
end friendly attitude toward japan is Sc
siously marred by these mischievous To-
cal displays. In point of fact the mainte-
nance of japanese military force in CO.
rea has never been a subject of discus
sion between the governments in st. Pc
| tersburg and Tokyo. nor has Russia,
either directly or indirectly, required JAP
an to evacuate the peninsula. unique
| occasion to prefer such a demand was Of
| fered by the recent coup d'etat in Seul
when a section of the Japanese soldiefy
having been implicated in the emeute, II
might have been plausibly argued that
their presence In the COrean capltal con-
stituted a factor of disorder rather thar
| of tranquility. Yet Russia made nc
move. Beyond a casual remark addressed
! by Prince Lobanoff to Baron Nishi, the
4 japanese representative in ST. Peters
burg, to the effect that the Japanese
troops did not appear to have played any
very useful role, the matter elected M
| official comment. Russia's statesmen
must have understood perfectly from the
outset that they might confine themselves
| strictly TO the lines of negotiation indi
Gated in the note addressed by the three
| powers to Japan last April. If the com
plete withdrawal of japan from Manchu
| ria could be contrived, then the recall o.
her troops from Corea must follow II
| natural sequence. The series of EVENT.
| mapped itself out quite clearly, and 4
lay Independent stress upon a corollar!
| Inherently connected with the main prop
osition would have been vexatious ant
clumsy diplomacy.