The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-19
THE EVACUATION OF KOREA.
Japan Not Coerced by Russia-The Mill
tary Reason For 1t.
Tokyo Letter in London Times

Tokyo Letter IN London Times.
The announcement that Japan IS about 70
withdraw the remnant Of her troops from
Korea has produced considerable excite
ment In the East among journalists and
politicians apparently ignorant OF the cir
cumstances by which she is Influenced
The fact is that when, at the instance OF
Germany. Russia and France the japanese
government last April pledged itself 70 re-
store the Leaotong peninsula 70 China, II
also pledged itself. construcGvely, though
not explicitly to recall its troops from
Korea: for the maintenance OF a military
force in the latter country must cease TO
have any raison d'etre so soon as Japan
surrendered her territorial acquisitions in
Manchuria.
That will be easily understood II we re-
member that after the Chinese forces had
been driven across the Yalu, the engineer
corps OF Field Marshal Yamagata's army
set about constructing a line OF telegraph
from Wiju via Tatung and Takushan,
along the northern and eastern coasts or
the yellow sea, so as TO bring the peninsula
OF the Regents Sword and the Japanese
outposts In southwestern Manchuria into
telegraphlc communication with Korea,
and thence with japan. Korea, in short,
then served as JapaD's basis OF operations
for her Msnchurian campaign, and, pend
ing the laying OF a submarine cable from
Talien TO some point IN the japanese ISL
troops could be maintained only by means
OF the line passing through Korea from
F'usan to Win, and thence by the coast OF
the Yellow sea 10 hinChua, Halcheng and
Yingkau. The most arduous duties devolv-
iug upon the japanese forces IN Korea dur
if,- the winter OF 1885 were TO preserve
the telegraph line against unremltting at
tempts 10 rnjure Il by the Tonghaks and
other NI-disposed Koreans, and 10 repel at
tacks constantly made upon commlssarlat
stations and provision trains. These
troubles disappeared after the complete
collapse OF China and the subJugation OF
the TonEhak rebels. and for some time past
the japanese troops IN Korea have been
virtually without employment. Their
withdrawal has been deferred only until
terms were finally arranged for the retro
cession OF the Leaotcng peninsula and ia
pans other territorial acquisitions In Man
churIs and, since Z has now been decided,
by conference between the Chinese and ia
panese plenipotentaries in Peknig, that
leaotoag is to % evacuated within three
months. the forces remaining IN Korea viii
naturally be brought home about The same
time.
The programme IS simple. and no sinister
significance Of any kind attaches 10 the last
step. But a determined attempt Is being
made especially by some OF the local Eng
ush Journalists IN Japan. to represent the
Korea "a A direct result OF Russian men
aces. and this view OF the matter is elabor-
ated By sweeping illusions 20 the hum.lia-
ton that the statesmen IN Tokyo have
brought upon their country. ana by intafn-
r1stor-v predictions that the ration VIII
rise en- rlasse against such invertatrats and
bnnrlinz diplomacy. In truth the local
TuRUsh press in japan defes any reason
able sxulara Ton Journals Published "a
FeV-ot for the furtherauce OF French Inter-
asts devote themselves with scarcely more
s~sor or unscrIpu.oUsness % impeding
Great R~fthlu's alfrn.r. StTatIve task than 90
so-se Of the English journals q Japan %
attacking the cabinet and fomeating 20
Iitira1 agitation. The excellent effect pro-
daced by The British governments eault-
able ana friendly attitude towards Japan j.
seriously rnarred by these snischievOgs To-
cal d.snlays n point % fact. the ruaiutsl-
ance OF a japanese military force IN Korea
has never been a subject OF discussion be-
tween the governments 10 s. Petersburg
ant Tokyo. nor has Russia. either directly
o. Indirectly. required Japan 70 evacaats
the peninsula A unique occasion 70 pre-
FER such a demand RAs offered 5v the re-
cert coup d'stzt tn SesIl. when. a section q
TIE japanese soldIsEy having been tmpii-
Gated in the erneute. & usght have been
plausloly argued that Their presence n the
Korean capital constituted a factor ct 13s-
order rather taan OF tranquility Yet Rus
sla made 40 move. Beyond a casual remark
addressed ~ Prince Loban31 % Baron NJ
shl, the Japanese representative "a =.
Petersburg. 70 IRE EJECT that the japanese
f-0ops IA not appear . have played ar.y
very use<zl roe, TIE matter elected 10 o.
fetal comment RGss.a's statesmen must
have understood perfectIy from the outset
that they nalght co111e themselves strictly
70 the Lines % negotiation indicated IN ire
ro.e addressed ~ the three powers %
Jaraa last Aprl = the complete With
1xaHAl =. Japan tro<2 Aa1c14rA& could es