The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-11
THE POWER BEHIND
THRONE OF KOREA
Durham w. Stevens to Guide
Hermit Kingdom.
SAYS HE is NOT DICTATOR
What He Says Will CO." However.
Important Post for
American.

THE title of dictator Of Korea is
inaptly applied TO me. have no inten-
tons in that direction
My mission is merely 10 be the for
eign adviser of the government. As such
I have no rank. As a foreigner IT is
impossible for me TO have any official
designation"
This Is the modest disclaimer made by
Durham White Stevens, of Washington.
10 the generally current report that his
appointment to a diplomatic post in
Korea means practically his elevation
10 the throne.
A Novel Position.
Mr.. Stevens is so well known in diplo-
matte circles in this country that the
recent announcer of his change to
high post in the East caused something
OF a sensation. in view of the fact that
this is the first time an American has
ever held so novel a position.
BY means Of a treaty between Japan
and Korea the latter practically be-
comes the ward Of the Mskado. Japan.
SO the treaty reads. has authority to APP
point a foreign adviser to the throne.
and also financial adviser. the latter
10 be a Japanese
Known to Mikado.
Mr.. Stevens IS an American. but he
has for years been identified with the
japanese legation here. and was at one
time secretary Of legation for the Unit
ed States at Toyko. He has been sew
eral times personally received by the
Emperor of Japan, and had an interview
with him as recently as two years ago.
He has been twice decorated by the
japanese Emperor.
Despite Mr.. Stevens, modest denial OF
the high honOrs thrust upon him. il is
not doubted by such as are Acquainted
with the facts that he will practically
have Infinite power in ruling the desti-
mes OF Korea within the Limitation set
by Japan.
Power Behind Throne.
Trusted implicitly by the Mikado. and
holding an Office ali the more powerful
from the fact that its title is yelled be-
hind the person Of the japanese Emperor.
II is readily to be seen that-to use an
American Xpression-whatever Mr..
Stevens says goes
Korea has always had a minister of
foreign affairs and a fully organized
cabinet. The members of il have been
mere puppets in the hands Of q shadow
emperor who himself. according to
tradition, rarely ever knew his own
mind. so surrounded was he with con-
cubines
In Japan's Power.
Korea. the unlucIy,'' has now fallen.
for good or evil. into the power Of
Japan. The Eastern war has IT least
made that point clear
In former years the japanese had COM
piete control. but carried their reforms
of the country too far The people were
not ready for the mOdernization that up
lo-date Japan was ready TO give. The
sudden introduction OF modern methods
was disastrous 10 the prosperity of the
country rather than induciYe To its well
fare.
No Repetition Of Error.
That the Mikado does not in the pres
ent instance intend to make a similar
mistake may be gathered from Mr.
Stevens statement in this connection:
NO, 1 would not say that the Ian
anese plan is 10 bring about Complete
modernizatiOn OF Korea" he explained
Dut the real purpose, as / understand
It. Is 10 Introduce into the governmental
system OF Korea more business-like
methods. This. IN fact, might sum
marize the whole situation.
TO put Korea on high business
footing.
ITO bring its governmental DEPART
ments 70 a modern state Of efficiency.
ITO encourage the Industrial. educa-
tonal, and material welfare OF the peO-
pie.
ITO give each and all an opportunity
10 share the benefits Of "A government
which looks after the interests Of all.
Mr.. Stevens Role.
Relations with foreign governments
are. Of course. an important considera-
ton. and IL will be my effort 70 furnish
whatever advice I may in accomplish
ing the best results.
Az to what trade relations are TO be
/ know nothing definite except that
low tariff viii probably remain in ef-
feet. Japan naturally feels q deep in
terest In the development OF Korea on
account OF Its prOplnquity. and that
country, II any. VIII benefit from a
prospecting neighbor.
'Of course it is not true that the En-
peror Is 10 be dethroneu. He VII hold
his Office iust as before.
no Navy or Army.
once Japan assumes stability OF
government. Korea will be able 10 de-
velop along proper lines without having
10 maintain an extensive military and
naval armament.
The country Is rich IN natural re-
sources There are deposits Of gold
and valuable metals. AlreaGS Ameri-
can capital has been invested theAa
"Once the peace Of the country is as
Eured there viii be many opportunities
for American enterprise
Mr. Stevens will leave Washington
the latter part Of this month. sailing
from vancouver on October 2.
WILL USE MORE OIL AS FUEL.
BERLIN. Sept 1O.-The admiralty has