The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-08-06


pressed with especial force those Jap
anese gentlemen interested in matters
Of education who happened TO be pres
ent.
The Korean Situation.
The Japanese Times comments on
recent advices from Korea. which it
says are far from satisfactory. TO
begin with, the facts thus far elected
concerning the recent disturbance in
the island of Che-ju point to the ex-
istence in Korea Of the same popular
grievance against missionary methods
as in the neighboring empire Of Chi
ma. Whether the alleged proclivity on
the part of the Catholic missionaries
to interfere with local affairs is so
strong and general as seems TO be as
sumed by most people may well be
doubted. 1t also seems only fair TO
suggest that the alleged irregularities
on their part may probably be excusa-
BILE. if not justifable. in view of the
inability or unwillingness of Korean
officials to afford due protection to the
native converts who form disliked
minority in the community"
The Times confesses it does not
- ,.olI o.,.t-,,ft1a+e,d
mass of facts to enable it to discuss
this aspect of the question. but says
there seems to be little room for
doubt as to the existence of a bitter
feeling of antipathy against the Cath
Ole missionaries and their followers
on the part of the unconverted Kore--
ans. This feeling the Times further
says lis strong and general enough to
make those who entertain it break out
into acts of fatal violence. as proved
by the recent incident in Che-ju. The
existence of such a state of affairs
constitutes danger of the gravest
sort, and demands the serious atten-
ton of those who are interested in the
preservation of order and tranquility
in the peninsular kingdom"
The Times is apprehensive that such
local disturbances might develop into
a magnitude defying all the repressive
sources o fthe Government at Seoul
Another piece Of news of an unpleas-
ant character. though of far less i'm
portance." the Times goes on to say.
sis connected with the attitude of the
Korean Government towards this
country. Those in power at Seoul APP
pear to have somehow taken il into
their heads that they must apply
check to the legitimate growth of Jap
anese interests in their country It
gives several instances in proof of
such an attitude and concludes with
the following argument. for the benefit
of the Korean Ministers. of the propo-
sition that the continuance of such
policy will prove in the end Injurious
to the true interests of their own
country:
~Self-assertion is healthy thing
in its way. and we should be the first
to welcome it on Korea's part. if it
were supported by spontaneous reso-
luton and genuine capacity to make
it good. Nothing would please Japan
better than to see Korea capable of de-
veloping her resources by her own en-
terprise and intelligence. for in that
case the Far Eastern problem would he
the simpler by the disappearance Of
one Of it's most disturbing elements.
But as things now stand. it will not be
difficult for any sober-minded Korean
to perceive that the growth Of Japan's
interests in the peninsula is not only
inevitable but highly conducive to the
civilization and prosperity OF the coun-
try. Whether or not this truth finds
recognition among the Koreans. as we
sincerely hope it does. the path that
Japan has to follow with respect to
Korea is clear and straight Japan is
charged with a mission there which
she cannot without injustice TO herself
abandon at anybody's bidding.