The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-29
WAS AGREED
 TO BY KOREA Treaty Was NOt Obtained
 by Force. VISIT OF MARQUIS ITo Terms of Covenant Discussed
 by the Cabinet. Flat Denial of Reports That Force was Employed to Bring About Sig
 nature of the Korean
 Emperox.

Washington. Dec. 2s.--In private letter to friend in this city Durham White Stevens. diplomatic adviser to the Korean Government, copmsnts upon recent reports that the treaty ss- tablishing a Japanese protectorate was extorted by force.
 Of stories telling of the use of troops of the Japanes. of the flight of the Ko- rean Emperor and of the forcible sefx- ure by file of soldiers of the seal of the Korean foreign ofhce. tho latter says:
 Possibly other canards. equally silly, have gained circulation at home and therefore, knowinef your interest in eastern matters. feel sure you would like to know the facts.
 Marquis Ito came to Korea with an autograph letter from the Emperor of Japan to the Emperor of Korea. This letter expressed an earnest hope for q closer union between the two countries. Its tone and purpose were well call cuiated to demonstrate Japan's friendly intentions and to sooth Korean suscep~ abilities. The choice of an envoy. Marquis Ito is especially persona grn- ta to the Emperor of Korea.
 Was Urged to Come.
 He came here on q somewhat sinli- lar mission at the beginning of the war and several times since to my requested by the Emperor to repeat the visit. On this occasion he presented the autograph letter at a. formal audi ence and several days later had pri- vate audience of over four hours iura- ton. He explained the situation and Japan's wishes fully to tho Emperor. and the latter agreed in principle to the propositions which the Marquis stated would be formally submitted la- ter on to the Japanese minister.s'
 %The Emperor stated that the de- cision regarding the detnfls of the new arrangement would be left to his cable. met and gave orders that the Ihtfkr &lsnntf ccnsiilf with fItd Japaness Aftf<+ ister. Conferenees then ensued bez tween the cAbinet and Mfr. Hayashi tue last one by mutual agreement, aud In accordance with the Emperof's order. taking place at the palace. All of tho Cabinet Ministers came to this meet ing In accordance with the prearranged plan. and there were no soldiers pres ent except Korean soldiers, forming the palace guard. The Japanese min- ister. with his secretary and intcrpret- CTS, attended. and there was q full and frank discussion of all the details of the proposed treaty.
 Agreed to By Majority.
 'Oitln1ately, maFquiS 1IO was asked to attend. and he came. accompanied by General Hasegawa. but unattended by any soldiers save the small body guard of half dozen gendarnles. who go about with him everywhere in Seoul The discussion then proceeded for several hours, amend- ments were proposed by the Korean cabinet and accepted. and finally the amended form was agreed to by a ma torIty of six out of eight members oe 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 intended, but only SO because l desired you to know my views regarding what seenis to me q deliberate attempt, not emanating from Korean source, to put Japan in ss false position. Of course there was opposition in Korea to the treaty; it would be foolish to deny that patent fact But there is no such thing as popular opposition In the sense in which we understand the word In Amerf- ca"