Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-03-10

EtASIky>s.-slIy 30 GSs<S
Angus Hamilton, for two years
special correspondent in the far east
OF the Pail Mall Gazette, writes: Rus
sia regards Corea as the completion of
her dominian in the far east, while
Japan looks upon the little kingdom in
the corollary to that expansion which
is essential to the existence of the is
land empire. Russia in bIanchuria
and Corea, with her shadow projected
over China, would mean a sentence of
perpetual restriction and shrinkage for
Japan. But similarly, Russia, from
her position at vladivostok and Port
Arthur, must regard the occupation of
Corea by Japan as a wedge with its
point projected toward the center of
her Manchurian communications
The expansion of Japanese interests
IN Corea has not been without politi-
cal design. The integrity of her neigh
Dor is bound up in her own existence.
The security of Corea emphasizes the
safety of her own borders; and, as her
own empire has developed into first
class power, this desire to see the
Kingdom respected has become more
and more the spirit of the policy upon
which she has concentrated her in
dividual action. She has fostered the
trade with Corea because it drew to-
gether the ties which connected the
two countries. She has urged the
concession of ports, and still more
ports, to foreign commerce. because
the preponderance of her trade in these
marts substantiates her claim to be the
lawful champion of the race.
The extraneous evidence of the
power of the Japanese irritates the
Coreans. increasing the unconquerable
aversion which has inspired them
against the Japanese through cen
turtles, until, of the various races of
foreigners in Corea at the present,
none are so deservedly detested as
those'hailing from the island empire of
mikado. Nor is. this prejudice remark
able when it is considered that it is
the scum of the Japanese nation that
has settled down upon Corea.
Their conduct in COrea shows them
TO be destitute of moral and intel
lectual fiber. They are debauched in
business. and the prevalence of dis
honorable practices in public life
makes them Indifferent to private
virtue. Their Interpretation of the
laws of their settlements, as of their
own country. is corrupt Might is
right; the sense of power is tempered
neither by reason nor justice nor gen.
erosity Their existence from day to
day, their habits and their manners.
their commercial and social degreda-
ton, complete an abominable travesty
On the civilization which they profess
to have studied.
The importance of the American
trade in Corea is undeniable. 1t is
composite in its character, carefully
considered. protected by the influence
of the minister supported by the
energy of the American missionaries.
and controlled by two firms whose
knowledge of the wants of Corea is
Just forty-eight hours ahead of the
of that want by the Corean.
The Seoul pronounced SooD Elec
trio Car company, the Seoul Electric
Light company and the Seoul (Fresh
Spring. Water company have been
created by American enterprise. The
railway concession
was also secured by an American, Mr..
Morse the agent of the American
Trading company. and subsequently
scld TO the Japanese company in whom
the rights of the concession are now
vested. The charter of the National
Bank of Corea has also been awarded
10 these Americans. and is now in pro-
cess of creation. The only mine in
Torea is owned by an American syn
iicate; and, by the way, DIR. Allen, the
igible comprehension of the Corean
tongue.
Corea is an extremely mountainous
Islands, barbors and noun
aims are its most pronounced natural
features. and nearly the whole of the
,oast consists of the slopes of the
various mountain ranges, which come
Town to the sea. There are many
patches upon the west, where the ap-
,roaches are less precipitous and rug
yed than upon the east. The coast
seems to follow the contour of the
II presents, particularly
ipon the east. that lofty and inacces-
,ible barrier of forest-clad country
which has won the admiration of all
lavigators and struck terror into the
learts of those who have met with dis
tr mon its barren and rocky shores.