The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-29
REPORTS
WERE UNTRUE
Durham White Stevens Takes Up the
Cudgels for Japan.
ITO is LIKED BY KOREANS
TREATY NOT FORCED UPON HER
NIT KINGDOM.

w dSnlnStOn, Dec. Zo.-In 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 establishing a Japanese protec-
torate was extorted by force:
I'm Seoul" he says, 1--WE learn that
curiOusly distorted accounts of the oc-
currences of the night of Nov. II have
been telegraphed to America and
Europe. One in particular to the Ber-
lin Lokal AnzeigeT, is especially men,
dacious. 1t speaks of the tragedy in
Seoul of which reports have come
from 'well-infOrmed quarters and as
serts that Marquis Ito, together with
Minister Hayashi and General Hase-
gaWa, accompanied by a large contin-
gent of Japanese troops, forced the
emperor to sign new treaty, which
they had prepared and brought with
them; that the Korean ministers had
fed from the palace in order not to
aftiX the seal of state to a document
which robbed their country of in
dependence; that japanese soldiers
were sent after them, and that they
were forcibly brought back and order
ed to affix their seals. The account
closes with the statement that this
violent act has led to tumults among
the people
China Gazette Story.
Another dispatch to the China
Gazette. Shanghai. states that Mr.
Namano, accompanied by a file of SOL
diers, went to the residence of the min
lister of foreign affairs and forcibly
brought the seal of the foreign office
to the palace, where the Japanese min
lister himself used 1t to seal the treaty.
Possibly other canards equally silly
have gained circulation at home, and
therefore, knowing your interest in
eastern matters, feel sure you would
like toll know the facts.
Marquis Ito came from Toxic with
an autograph letter to the emperor of
Korea from the emperor of Japan. It's
tone and purpOrt were we'll calculated
to demonstrate Japan's friendly inten-
lions and TO soothe Korean susceptible
tiles. The choice of an envoy, more
over, was decidedly happy, as Marquis
Ito is especially persona grata to the
of Korea. He came here on
a somewhat similar mission at the be-
ginning the the war, and several times
since, to my personal knowledge, has
been urgently requested by the en-
perOr to repeat the visit.
Ito a Fair Man.
His reputation for fair-dealing and
regard for Korean rights as
we'll as Cor Korean susceptibilities,
have earned him a high place In the
estimation. On this occa-
sion he presented the autograph letter
at a formal audience, and several days
later had a private audience Of over
four hours duration. He explained the
situation and Japans wishes fully TO
the emperor, and the latter agreed In
principle to the propositions which the
stated would be formally sub
mitted later on by the Japanese min
lister. The emperor stated that the de-
cision regarding the details of the new
arrangement would be left to his cab
met, and gave orders that the latter
should consult with the Japanese min
lister. Conferences then eusued be-
tween the cabinet and Mr.. Hayashi, |
the last one, by mutual agreement and
m accordance with the emperor's order
taking place at the palace. All of the
cabinet ministers came to this meet |
Ing in accordance with the pre-
arranged plan, and there were no SOL |
Tiers present except Korean soldiers |
the palace guard. The Japa-
1ese minister, with his secretaries and |
attended, and there was
4 full and frank discussion OF all of |
the details of the proposed treaty. III !
-imately Marquis Ito was asked at |
attend, and he came accompanied by |
General Hasegawa, but unattended by |
any soldiers save the smaller body |
guar of half a dozen gendarmes, who |
90 about with him everywhere in
Seoul i
Vote of Six to Two.
THE discussion then proceeded for
several hours; amendments were pro- |
posed by the Korean cabinet and ac-
;epted, and finally the amended form |
vas agreed to by a majority of six out |
If eight members of the cabinet. |
rhereupon the treaty was signed and |
sealed by the minister of foreign af- /
airs in conformity with the direct |
order of the emperor. During all these |
there was no show of force /
Ind no unseemly exhibition of any kind |
whatever. The emperor was not per-
'onally present during the conference, |
)ut, as is the custom, remained in his
private rooms. whence he communica-
ed his wishes through the minister of |
he household or by one or another of