Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-15
NO CAUSE FOR WAR
Citations Between Russia and Japan
Friendly.
COREA TO Be KEPT INDEPENDENT
Agreement to That End Concluded
at St Petersburg.
MINISTER PAVLOFF'S VIEWS

In view of the reported imminence of war
between Russia and Japan, concerning
rights in Corea, the statements made today
by Mr. Alexander Pavloff, the Russian min
lister to Corea, who happens to be in Wash
ington as the guest of Count Cassini, the
Russian ambassador here, are most oppor-
tune and important. Mr.. Pavlof is an
accomplished diplomat with extended eX-
perience in the far east, and a direct per
sonal acquaintance with those affairs in
Corea which have been the basis of the
wariike reports set afloat of late. He was
on the staff of Count Cassini at Peking
when Russia acquired Port Arthur and
Talien Wan and later he was advanced to
the post of minister to Corea.
Mr.. Pavloff was seen at the Russian en-
bassy today and spoke quite frankly of the
recent war rumors.
COrea to BE Kept Independent.
Il left Corea,' he said, only four months
ago, going to St. Petersburg, so that my in
formatio is quite direct and official, and
| assure you there is no basis whatever
for the reports of conflict between Russia
and Japan over Corea. on the contrary
the two countries have entered into two
formal compacts by which it is agreed
thal the Independence of Corea shall be
maintained. These compactS were con-
Guided at ST. Petersburg and Toxic and
they are so explicit that the reports of
confllct as to sovereignty over Corean ter
rltory show an entire ignorance of the writ
ten agreement under which Russia and
Japan are acting toward Corea.
II ne war rumors appear to be based on
an alleged conflict over the court of Masan-
po II happens that | am personally ia
miliar with this affair, as it developed be-
fore l left Corea. Masanpo is one of the
new treaty ports on the southern coast of
Corea Originally, Corea opened three
treaty ports, and these have gradually been
increased until there are now five open
ports, Masanpo being the last. There has
peen no question as to the freedom of the
ports to all nations alike. and no questions
OF favor or discrimination between Russia
and japan have occurred to the port of
Masanpo.
Ownership of Lots Disputed.
But a purely personal and private diff
ierence arose some months ago as to the
ownership of certain lots at Masanpo. Rus
sian residents had secured a right to pur-
chase the lots, and were awaiting the assent
OF tle Corean government. Pending this
consent. Japanese citizens purchased the
same rights. This, however was purely a
private difference, in which the govern
ments OF Russia and Japan had no part.
IL was a most trifiing occurrence, the same
as though small piece of real estate here
IN Washington was subject to dispute be-
tween two private individuals. 1t has no
International aspect, and the effort to make
the Masanpo affair basis for war rumors
SHOWS the extreme to which these reports
are carried.
COrea, Peaceful and Slow,
Il am glad to say that Corea is pro
crossing, although slowly, under the IA
vorable influences exerted by Russia and
Japan. The people are peaceable and or
derly, but without that ambition for mod
ern methods displayed in some other quar-
tiers of the east. They are retarded also
py lack Of wealth. They are opening their
ports, however, and inviting the outside
world to the country, although the interior
is not yet free to the outside world, except
py special grant or concession of mining
or other privileges. The reported differ
ences between the rulers are greatly exag-
serated, and when the outside world hears
cf an uprising in Corea it generally amounts
TO street brawl, which two policemen can
dispose of. In general, it may be said that
Gorea is progressing peacefully, and that
lhere Is no ground for considering II a
source OF controversy, much less of war
between Russia and Japan