The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-17
WHAT JAPAN PLANS
TO DO WITH KOREA
Purposes TO Establish Pro-
tectOPate.
STEVENS HERCULEAH TASK
Years Before He Can Suppress Official
Couuption-DangeIs He Must
Encounter

LONDON. oct. 1.-THE British SOW
eminent has made minute Inquiries TeIa-
tive to the intentions OF Japan i'm Korea
in the event of ultimate japanese sue
cess I'm AIanchuria. The reply has come
without lodging from Tokyo that the
Mikado viii establish "a pr0tectorate.
Great Britain is satisfied with this
program. The United States. fl is be-
lieved here, VIII iuterpOse no Objec-
ti0n- No other powers need Doe consId-
cred.
Ii is appreciated here that Japan's
vehement desire TO retain control OF
Korea is prompted not SO much by BUSH
ness as by sentimental considerations,
From This digger. pointed AT the heart
OF Japan" as Korea. has been styled by
"a Japanese statesman, flowed Japan
early civilization.
Commercial Privileges.
Great Britain expects considerable
commercial advantages once this pro-
tectorate has been established. For
TINS reason the development OF the stu
alton under the guidance OF the Ameri-
can consular agent. Durham White
Stevens, IS closely watched.
The government has already received
intimate advices OF the turn things are
taking The author of one or these re-
ports. high English OThcial, expresses
the opinion that AIr. Stevens task is
herculeans that he may accomplish il,
bat that il VIII take years before the
first gratifying report can be sent by
him from Seoul.
The compiler of the report states with
out minCing OF words that Korea Is more
barbaric than China The koreans he
says. have an the vices of the Chinese
without their redeemlng virtues OF III
geuulty and industry
Omcial Corruption.
AS a race he considers them cowardly,
and, according 10 the testimony of the
best-informed foreigners he could obtain,
OF very limited intelligence. Added 10
all their other defects is the dishonesty
OF the official hierarchy.
Ii is announced that Ar. Stevens has
begun 10 lay his ak 10 the root of this
rotten tree and thar he mas already en-
countered opposition which would be apt
TO discourage a less determined man.
What makes his task more difficult Is
the fact that he is in Seoul by japanese
authority, and the Korean hates th=
Japanese as the latter hates the hus-
sian. notwithstanding all that has been
said and written about Korea pro
japanese leaulngs-
BIr. Stevens. the report says. viii have
10 keep a WaIchful eve on more than one
pretended friend 10 defeat the attempts
that win constantly be made 20 defeat
his efforts.
Autonomous and Independent.
As 10 the staus OF Korea among the
countries Of the world. the report says
she viii undoubtedly be permitted 70 re-
tain her autonomy and independence.
1yomiualIy she viii conduct her own for
eign relations even after Mr.. Stevens.
task has been accomplished, but the de-
pendent position in which she is being
forced toward Japan in commercial mat
III
The absolute assurance his been re-
ceived by the British agent that Japan
does not intend 90 wall Korea In DF a
high tariff. but that. on the contrary,
existing restrictions are more than ike
IL 10 be removed ia order 10 invite for
eign capital