The record-union., 1897-12-29
A REMARKABLE AGREEMENT.

A REMARKABLY AGREEMENT.
Excepting only the Anglo Egyptian
agreement, by which the Khedive be-
came little more than a vassal of Great
Britain, there is no instance in mod
ern history of a nation so completely
surrendering itself to the cotrol of an
other, as that reported in yesterdays
dispatches, indeed the Egyptian COM
pact does not nearly equal it. If the
news as given is verify, Corea has
turned over to Russian administration
the entire control and administration
of its revenue and financial system.
According to the report-and it con-
tains what purports to be most of the
text Of the agreement-Corea requested
of Russia. and Russia has complied,
that the latter country should name a
financial adviser to reside at the Co
Iean court and have complete control
Of all Corean revenues and finances.
True, it is provided that he shall coun-
Sci and advise with the several depart
jilCIlAS Oh lliG 1OCd1 0ONSAIllilGIAty C0t tIAeAl
means very little in view of the further
provision that "the various depart
ments and offices of Corea shall conduct
the financial affairs appointed to them
in accordance with the recommenda-
tions and directions of the financial ad-
wiser, and shall supply him with what
ever documentary assistance or aid of
any kind he may require"
This remarkable agreement for the
creation Of the Office Of financial rev.
enue dictator, to which Office it is said
Mr.. Alexiff has been appointed at the
modest salary Of $4,000 a year, pro-
vides that as Corean Financial Adviser
and Superintendent of Customs" he is
to make provision of (fOr0 the pub
lie expenditures, after consultation
with the departments affected; super
intend all receipts from taxation; re-
ceive the money and keep it and safe
~ and proftably employ it,; pay over
the sums necessary for the Corean
treasury TO discharge costs Of the va
rious offices Of State as provided by the
annual budget; to enter a monthly ac-
count Of all receipts by him, and to re-
port all obligations discharged and new
ones incurred.
While the Corean Departments of
State are 10 conduct their affairs as
so as already stated, 'fn accordance
with the recommendations and direc-
tions of the Financial Adviser who is
to name the local Superintendents Of
Customs, who in turn. is to submit to
him reports of all his transactions,
these reports finally to be sent by the
Adviser to the Corean Government If
the Adviser has to leave his post tenn
porarily, he is given power to name a
person to fill his place If he departs
permanently, then he is to be succeed
ed by another to be chosen by the Co
rean and the Russian Governments
Ordinarily there would be nothing
strange in a nation employing a skilled
fnancier to aid her officials and advise
them IN matters in which they are not
skilled. In such a case it does not re-
quire the consent OF any one but the
person so employed. But here we have
the Corean Adviser selected in pursu-
ance of a treaty or agreement between
the two Governments. that of Russia
naming the officer. Moreover Powers
are given to this Adviser little short OF
then such employe IS nothing more
than the agent and representative ot
the Government OF his own country, not
of the nation to which he is sent
1t follows that the Government Of
Russia viii be all the time possessed
Of accurate knowledge OF the condition
Of the finances and revenues Of Corea
and through such representative VIII be
practically in control of them. This
agent viii, OF necessity, be informed ot
all political situations In Corea, anC
VIII be in position to advise his Gov
ernment Of every movement in Corea.
That a man fit for such a post could
be secured for the beggarly salary o,
$1,000 a year is absurd. Mr. Alexif
therefore. IS TO be compensated by Rus.
sia, not by Corea and this is very sig.
nlfcant. The truth is that Corea has
placed herself under the wing OF Rus.
sia completely, and that nation vii
now control absolutely the entire Co
rean Peninsula. Is II any wonder tha.
the japanese. separated from it by bu
a narrow gut Of water, should fee
alarm and seek in England an ally VIII,
may be able to aid them TO meet thi!
new situation properly?