The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-29
COREA AGREED ID
 JAPANESE TREATY Reports of Hostility in Seoul
 Are Exaggerated ITO WAS PERSONA GRATA Treaty Was Frankly Discussed and corean Emperor Affixed Signature
 Voluntarily and With
 Good Grace.
ITO WAS PERSONA GRATA

Washington, December 2s.-In private letter to a friend in this city, Durham White Stevens diplomatic adviser to the Corean government, comments upon re- cent reports that the treaty establishing a Japanese protectorate was extorted by force.
 Referring to stories telling of the use of troops by the Japanese, of the flight of the Corean Emperor, and of the forcible seizure by a file of soldiers of the seal of the Corean foreign office, the letter says:
 Possibly other canards, equally silly, have gained circulation at home, and, therefore knowing your interest in east ern matters. I feel sure you would like to know the facts.
 Marquis Ito came to Corea with an autograph letter from the Emperor ot Japan to the Emperor of Corea. This let ter expressed an earnest hope for closer union between the two countries. It's tone and pnpase were well calculated to demonstrate Japan's friendly intentions and sooth Corean susceptibilities. The choice of an envoy, moreover, was de- cdedly happy, as Marquis Ito is especial ly persona grata to the Emperor of Co., req. He came here on somewhat sim liar mission at the beginning of the war and several times since to my personal knowledge has been urgently requested by the Emperor to repeat his visit At this occasion he presented the autograph letter at a formal audience and several days later had a private audience of over four hours duration
 Emperor Agreed in Principle.
 He explained the situation and Japan's wishes fully to the Emperor and the lat ter agreed In principle to the propositions which Marquis Ito formally submitted. and later on by the Japanese minister.
 The Emperor stated that the decision regarding the merits of the case will be left to the cabinet, and gave orders that the latter should consider with the Japa- nese minister. Conferences then ensued between the cabinet and MT. Hayashi, the last one by mutual agreement, and in accordance with the Emperor's ideas taking place at the palace. All of the cabinet ministers came to this meeting in accordance with the pre-arranged plan and there were no soldiers present. eX-
  guard.
 Treaty Discussed Frankly.
 ''The Japanese minister with his sec retary and interpreters attended and there was full and frank discussion of all the details of the proposed treaty. Ulti- mately Marquis Ito was asked to attend and he came accompanied by General Baregawa, but unattended by any sol ders, save the small body guard of half a dozen gendarmes. who go about with him everywhere in Seoul. The discussion then proceeded for several hours, amend ments were proposed by the Corean cab- net and accepted, and finally the amended form was agreed to by majority of six out of eight members of the cabinet. Thereupon the treaty was signed and sealed by the minister of foreign affairs In conformity with the direct order of the Emperor.
 'I have inflicted a much longer letter upon you than l intended. but only so because I desired you to know my views regarding what seems to me a deliberate attempt not emanating from Corean source to put Japan in false position. Of course there will be opposition to the treaty in Corea, 1t would be foolish to deny that patent fact. But there is no such thing popular opposition, in the sense we understand the word in Amer ica.'