Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-01-21

GUS bear. Fer centuries there was
relation of suzerainty between Korea
and China. japan long disputed this
suzerainty, and in 1891 proved her
contention in the test of arms. The
Chinese gateway near Seoul. at which
the kings of Korea had for centuries
dcne obeisance to China's ambassa-
dor, was torn down and a handsome
modern structure erected, named In
depenence arch. A few miles from
Seoul there is a celebrated stone tor
tOiee, one of the several works of art
set up il Korea to symbolic Chinese
domination. 1t was held that so long
as this enormous tortoise remained
right SIDE up the rule of China IN
Korea would be undisturbed AS
soon as the Mongolians disappeared
down the horizon, under the active
stimulation of Japanese bullets, the
yietcrs went out and Topped this
| igneols testudian over like a flapjack
He now lies with his toes turned to-
witness of the fact that the Monaghan
is doing no visible governmental bust
, ness in Korea at this writing. And
what is more, the japanese, in order
to prevent any misunderstanding as to
the significance of this .bouleverse-
side day and night. Thereafter
Korea has been nominally independ-
ent, but Japanese influence has been
constantly gaining dominance in all
the subtle ways that could be devised
by an ambitious and clever race, ur-
gently in need of tributary territory to
accommodate the teeming population
which overfows Japan's narrow
borders On the other hand, Russia
has met intrigue with intrigue and to-
day seems willing to meet force with
force. A Japanese statesman, in an
interview, has thus stated Japans at
titude toward Korea, in answer to a
question why Japan interfered in the
internal affairs Of country whose in
dependence was guaranteed by treaty,
] Count Inouye said:
For the reason that Korea needs
our help, and without it she would fall
at once into anarchy, we are CONNER
cially interested in her, we have more
Of our people settled upon her soil
than any other country, she is filed
with distraction and we cannot afford
to see her go to pieces. The war with
China was undertaken for the reform
alton and welfare of Korea, and we
must go on with the struggle.
The present war cloud arises di-
rectly from the Manchurian situation
Japan realizes that Russia's control of
Manchuria checks the Japs in their
ambition to get control of China and
Chinese commerce. Hence Japan de-
mands that Russia evacuate Man
churia and in order to get coign of
vantage to menace Russia in that Chi
nese province Japan needs Korea and
threatens to throw troops into that
country; she sends a feet to support
these troops and Russia hurries war
ships into Korean waters, as a counter
move.
AS territory, the average breadth
of the Korean peninsula is about $50
miles, and the full coast line extends
about LOO miles. The area is S4,424
square miles, or more than one-third
larger than the New England states,
or about the same size as Great Britain
or the state of Minnesota. The popula-
ton is about 10,5OO,O00. While the
state of Minnesota has a popu-
lation of 16 to the square mile, Korea
has ia to the square mile-about
one-half as much as the most densely
populated parts of China The climate
resembles that of North America, but
the extremes are more marked and in
tense. The most prominent physical
feature of the country is the mountain
range which constitutes the backbone
OF the peninsula and extends through
its whole length. From this mountain
range numerous spurs extend in every
direction, enclosing many pleasant and
fertile valleys and river basins. In
physical appearance the Koreans re-
semble the Japanese more than the
Chinese, but they are taller and stout
er than either. The upper classes
are pOille, cultivated anu pTluo lHeIu-
selves on their correct department,
while the lower classes are social,
vivacious and laxative. They are
neither Industrious nor clearly, and
although they are surrounded by
abundant natural resources, they live
in depth of squalor unknown in
civilized countries.
Korea's enc characteristic product is
ginseng. No American can realize
what ginseng is to the Chinaman. To
him it is a sovereign, all-inclusive
cure-all He chews its bark or drinks
its tea for every pain and ache, and
when nothing is wrong with him he
uses it as a preventive That Korea is
the granary of the world may very
well account for Chinas willingness to
fight Japan for the possession of the
hermit kingdom. There is a sort of
ginseng in Indiana, and some millions
of dollars worth Of it is exported to
China yearly r,lt IL is of inferior mali