The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-29
JAPAN USED NO s..
FORCE. ON KOREA
Diplomatic Adviser Of Korea Says
r. Treaty Was Agreed To at =
Friendly Council. L. -.

Washington, Dec; 29.-1n a private
letter to a friend in this city. Durham
White Stevens, diplomatic adviser to
the Korean government, comments as
follows upon recent reports that the
treaty establishingEa Japanese protec-
tofate Was ey5Qreea ny toTc e learn that
curieusly distorted accounts of the oc-
currences of the night Ssof. Nov. 17 have
been telegraphed to America and Eu-
rope. One lin particular, to- the Berlin
Lokal- ,Anzeiger, lis especially menda-
cious. = = .s-s2-a.. - ~ ;,
~ speaks Of the TRAGEDY e Of Seoul esi !
Ct which reports have come . from YEA tSat
Marquis Ito, together with Minister
Hayashi and General Hasegawa, ac G.
companied by a large contingent. OF
Japanese troops, forced the emperor to
sign the new treaty which they had
already prepared and brought with
! them; that the Korean ministers fled
from the palace in order not to aftx
! the seal of state to a document which
robbed their country of Independence;
them, and that they were forcibly
brought back and ordered to affx their
| seals. The account closes with the
statement that this violent act had led
to tumults among the people, y
Great Seal Not Stolen
"Another dispatch, to the China Ga
zette, Shanghai, states hat Mr.. Namano,
accompanied by a file of soldiers, went
eign affairs and forcibly brought the
seal of the foreign office to the palace
where the Japanese minister himself
! used it to seal the treaty. ii
| "Possibly other canards, equally
silly, have gained circulation at home,
and therefore, knowing your interest in
eastern matters, feel sure you would
like to know the facts. ~,
So Marquis Ito came to Korea with an
1 autograph letter from the emperor of
Japan to the emperor Of Korea. This
! letter expressed an earnest hope for a
closer union between the two countries.
Its tone and purport were well calcu-
lated to demonstrate Japan IS friendly
intentions and to soothe Korean sus-
capabilities. The choice Of an envoy,
moreover, was decidedly happy, as Mar
quis Ito is especially persona grata to
the emperor of Korea.
! "He came here on a 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 the
visit. His reputation for fair dealings
and the considerable regard for Korean
| Utilities, have earned him a high place
in the emperor's estimation.
4 Korean Emperor Agrees. n.
HOn this occasion he presented the
autograph letter at formal audience
and several days later had a private
audience Of over four hours duration
He explained the situation and Japan Z
wishes fully to the emperor, and thu
!, latter agreed in principle to the PROPOSE
lions which the MARQUIS stated woult
be formally submitted later on by thi
Japanese minister. The emperor statet
that the decision regarding the detail
of the new arrangement would be lef
to his cabinet and gave orders that tn
: latter should consult with the Japanes
! | minister.
" Conferences then ensued betwee
b the cabinet and Mr.. Hayashi, the las
one by mutual agreement and il AZ
cordance with the prearragned plan, an
there were no soldiers present exceL
Korean soldiers forming the palac
guard. The Japanese minister, with hi
secretaries and interpreters, attende
and there was full and frank discus
sion Of all the details Of the propose
treaty.
Ultimately, Marquis Ito was aSke
to attend, and she came, accompanie
by General Hasegawa, but unattende
by any soldiers save the small bod
guard Of half a dozen gendarmes wi
Il 60 about with him everywhere in Seou
The discussion then proceeded FOR Sc
eral hours; amendments were propose
0. by the Korean cabinet and accepte
and finally the amended form W,
agreed to by a majority of six out
! eight members Of the cabinet. Their
!. upon the treaty was signed and seal,
by the, minister Of foreign affairs,
conformity with the direct order Of II
emperor. i = 8 81 ss 81 II sss3A
During all these proceedings the
was no show Of force and no unseen