Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-05-27
KOREA NOW.
| Japan GaZette.l

while awaiting the tardy WITHDRAWAL
OF Russian troops from Shengking and
Kirin Provinces. public attention Is
now being drawn to Korea. As one Of
the weak States of the world occupy
ing one of the most important posi-
tons Korea must be delightful spot
for the representatives of the various
sparring nations. We hardly ever hear
of II except in connection with some
political intrigue and. 1t may be added
that we are always hearing Of II. The
diplomats there appear to be engaged
in an interminable game of chess and
the moves to the lay on-looker often
seem bCwildcring. The Russian rep
resentative obtains an audience, or
Belgium secures the appointment of an
adviser; Immediately the japanese
Minister gets an audience or files a
protest against the appointment, and
the game goes on. II will be noticed,
however. that Japan plays a largely
defensive game, merely countering her
country rather at a disadvantage.
Just now there are two distinct new
moves in Korea. both of which have
apparently been initiated by influences
hostile to Japan and are being now OPP
posed by the watChful Government.
The first Is the extraordinary treat
ment of Japanese on the island of
Quelpart II is asserted that new
Governor, Hong Chong-u, a Korean
who murdered Kim 0k-kyun in Shang-
hal about eight years ago. has boycott.
ted" the 1900 japanese subjects on the
island He is said to have acted in
concert with, or by the advice or
French missionaries, which seems a
curious state of things. Any way.
there seems no doubt that he has told
the Korean inhabitants that they must
not rent houses to japanese; must not
sell them commodities of daily ncces-
sity; must not work for nor buy from
them; and that, II they do, they will be
liable to penal seryitude To cap the
climax, this island despot is alleged to
have generally added that any Korean
who attends japanese school shall
be beheaded There is something
reminiscent of the Duchess In Alice
in Wonderland" in this casual "0n
with his head" policy. but the Japan
csc represent that the Governor Is in
earnest, that, unless supported, they
will have to leave the island; and they
have according sent to Mokpo for as
sistance. IL would be incredible that
such treatment was inspired by French
missionaries, but some substantiation
of this allegation is furnished by the
terms of the proclamation itself, in
which the Governor says that Quel-
part is not open to foreign residence.
such as by the prohibited japanese,
but that special dispensation is made
In the case Of French missionaries who
have secured a special license from the
Korean Minister OF Foreign Affairs.
The japanese very naturally decline tn
accept the allegation OF such unwar-
and are taking steps to protect their
subjects. Several boat-loads of police
are said to have been sent from Mok-
pc and the warship Saiyen was, on
Friday, despatched to the Island. These
material means, together with firm dip
lomatic representation, will probably
soon bring the anti-Japanese Governor
to his senses. Possibly he Is within
his rights In saying that Quelpart Is
not open to foreign residence. although
the regulation has been obsolete for
many years. but the points to be com
batted are the arbitrary nature OF the
proposed enforcement of the regulation
and its discrimination in favor OF an
other nation.
The second Korean trouble Is more
serious. 1t arises from the recent con-
centration of Russian soldiers on
Mount Paik-ma, on the pretext of pro-
tecting the Russian timber conces-
sion on the River Yalu. 1t seems o
fact that Russia, or a Russian con-
tractor, which is practically the same
thing, has a contract to cut timber on
the Yalu, but that the contract does
not specially provide for the importa-
ion OF Russian troops to protect the
work, nor is 1t clear that any protec.
ton is needed. On the other hand.
Japan has treaty with Russia prohib-
iting the stationing of troops at any
points in Korea except Seoul, Fusan
and Gensan, and therefore this assem-
bly, OF Russian troops in Will seems a
serious contrayention of treaty rights
Mr. Hayashi. the Japanese Minister.