The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-21
Koreans overawed.

Koreans Overawed. z.
The effect upon his majesty and the
higher Korean official circles of the
Russian naval reverses of the last few
days and the prompt observance of the
demand of the Japanese minister, M.
Hayashi, for the withdrawal of M.
Pavlov and his countrymen from the
Korean capital can hardly be overesti-
mated. The Korean officials who are
known to be of the Russian party at the
capital, and who have been working
with M. Pavlov for the furtherance
of his plans regarding the future of
Korea, are hiding in fear and trem-
bling. Some have fled from the city and
others dare not show. themselves for
fear of Japanese reprisals, now that
they hold the balance of power.
There were no. visible signs of dis
composure among the Russian. party
as it embarked today, but q general
air of sadness hung over 1t and the
friends who had come to say goodby.
The farewells were short and hurried
ly spoken, as though all were anxious
to have an unpleasant though, I'M
ayoidable task quickly over with. And
the question that was uppermost in
the minds of all was, When and under
what auspices will the departing ones
return?
The impossible has happened. The
representative of one power has or
dered the representative of another
power to leave, with all uhis country
men from the capitalof an indepen-
dent neutral country one over which
neither of the powers in question is
internationally supposed to possess an
atom of control. With the with
drawal of M. Pavlov today the Rus
sian flag has disappeared from Korean
soil and it's return will be one Of the
important milestones In Oriental his
tory.
One Weeks Changes.
All this within six days from the
date that Japan announced she would
adopt her own course without further
consultation with Russia if that coun-
to withdraw from Manchuria and of
declining to consider the claims adj
vanced by Japan concerning Korea.
But a few days ago the influence of
the Russian minister was all powerful
at the Korean court, and when his
Japanese colleague requested an i'm
periaI audience he was informed that
his majesty was indisposed.
Ever since the assassination of the
former queen of Korea, on Oct. 8,
1895, the emperor of Korea, his gov
eminent and the Korean people gen
orally have mistrusted the Japanese,
and his majesty has placed reliance on
the pledges offered him by Russia.
Suddenly body of troops arrived
at Seoul, and the Japanese minister,
without deigning to consult the trern-
bling Korean monarch, suggests that
Korea does not need advice or assist
ance from Russia any longer, and her
minister has no other choice than to
obey.
Already the emperor of Korea is
assurances of better government In
future; but whether Russia is able to
pleading for forgiveness and offering
reassert her power with the Korean
government or not, Korea's days of
complete independence have been
numbered and the full number
counted.
1t is good for Korea that it is so,
for more oppressed, downtrodden
people does not exist on the face of
the earth Nevertheless It will be a
work of time, care and patience to
convince the people that their rulers
will no longer be able to squeeze"
them and that they may develop pros
~perity by their own industry.
The Question of Refugees.
One of the last official acts of the
departing Russian minister was to
request the aid Of the American minis
ter in removing the Russian refugees
from Tuesdays naval; engagement at