The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-12
NO DANGER OF
 YELLOW PERIL KurinO Talks on the Situation
 in Korea REPORTS ARE ERRONEOUS Says Japan Does Not Seek to Annex Any Territory on the Mainland,
 But Is Defending
 Herself.
REPORTS ARE ERRONEOUS

Paris, March 11.-M. Kurino, until re- gently Japanese minister at St. Peters, burg, has arrived here on his way to Genoa, where he will embark on his way home. IL was first thought that he might remain in Europe, but his departure for Japan appears to indicate his belief in prolonged hostilitles.
 Tt is remarkable fact said the min- ister that Korea is in worse condition than when l was there ten years ago. At that time a general state of ignorance pre- vailed owing to the governments policy against modern methods Recently the French minister at Seoul passed through St Petersburg on his way to Paris, and told me the condition of ignorance and in- competence were worse today than when 1 observed the condition. For that reason I do not think that the reports of Marquis Itos mission to Korea is to introduce reforms is correct. The court l know tried that some years ago without success. The danger of the situation is that the intro- duction of mere reforms of modern civ illzation Is not enough, for what they need is the substance the essence of mod ern methods instead or more outward forms"
 Erroneous Reports Spread.
 When asked what would be the result of an entrance of the Japanese into Ko- req, the minister said
 There are many erroneous reports con- cerning Japans intentions and policy to- ward Korea. It seems to be the prevail ing idea that Japan Is bent upon absorb ing Korea territorially and the politcal- ly, but as matter of fact she has no such purpose and the reports are due to failure to comprehend Japan's settled policy Japan has entered among the sis terhood of nations. She recognizes the benefit of modern methods, intercourse and communication. She has established new steamship lines and raplacfG old .reatiea with new ones This shaYs ler real policy of joining with the rest of the great nations and spreading the bene- fit of modern methods and modern civil zatlon. Therefore she does not seek the petty narrow advantage of acquiring Ko- req all to herself and locking her up against the rest of the world If Japan has ambition it is the noble ambition to advance with the rest of the world, but not the ignoble ambition of setting off little exclusive domain for her private oceupacy and advantage.
 Kurino spoke with intense earnestness and continued:
 Does Not Seek Domination.
 Japan therefore does not seek to annex Korea or politically dominate her nor does she want any other country to annex Korea to Japan's detriment and menace. The recent Japanese Korean treaty ex- pressly protects Korea's territory. More over it is net Japans policy to annex ter rltory on the mainland In that respect Russla's policy Is exactly the reverse of Japan's for wherever Russia goes she seeks to annex and acquire exclusive polit- ical domain Japan does not ask and does not want political domination. She wants 10 be one of the liberal world powers which are extending benefits of commerce, communication and civilization"
 NJ Kurino was asked concerning Rus sla's claim that Japans success created yellow peril" why should Japan wish to be arraigned against the white races of Europe?' he asked in reply "Is not Japans interest the same as those of en- frightened white races? Moreover. Chna's 100000 .O00 people. which form such q large part of the yellow peril could not be united in any general movement for China Is not a single nation, but small and com parative independent states having differ ent interests. Therefore the socalled vel low pril' is an impossibillty.'