The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-18
DEMAND HIS
 MEDICATION Crisis in Affairs of Korea. OFFENDED THE MKAD0 Sending of Delegation to The Hague
 Caused Trouble. Premier Presents Views of Cabinet to
 Emperor and Asks Him to - Cult In Favor of

Seoul, July 17.-Followtng caDlnet meeting yesterday which lasted four hours. the Premier had an audience with the Emperor in the evening. con- tinuing for three hours.
 It has transpired that the Premier made a strongly worded representation of the gravity of the situation caused by his majesty's sending a delegation to The Hague. He boldly pointed out the necessity for the Emperor's abdf- cation in favor of the Grown Prince and of his proceeding to Tokio and apologizing to the Emperor of Japan. The Korean Emperor made no definite reply.
 On retiring from the palace the Pre- mier immediately called another meet ing which lasted until ? o'clock this morning. The cabinet is determined to definitely decide on Korea's attitude to- day or by the time of the arrival of Viscount Hayashi, Japanese Foreign ministers will insist on the abdication of the Emperor at all risk.
 The Il Chang Hoi Progressive Asso- citation which Is supporting the pres- ent cabinet, has officially applied to Marquis Ito to help save Korea from the grave consequences of the Emper- or's action against Japan. It is re- ported that the Emperor has with drawn 100000 yen deposited In the bank of Shanghai.
 It is not considered likely that the Emperor will yield to the demand for abdication without a struggle. Despite the perturbed feeling and excitement of the court and cabinet the populace generally is calm. Even the Japanese association has issued a manifesto urging the necessity of a peaceful. prudent attitude at this criti- cal stage of the situation. The Elm peror in the opinion of close observers. has alienated popular affection.
 Beginning of Empire's End.
 The request made by Premier Korea that the Emperor abdicate, apparently Is the beginning of the end of this an cient empire and the inauguration of closer control by Japan than that sh ehas exercised since the treaty of Portsmouth. recognized her predomi- nant influence in the Hermit Kingdom as one of the fruits of her victory over Russia.
 For a long period Korea was under the control of China, but in 1s94-95 Japan drove China out of the peninsula and Korea enjoyed a brief period of independence. In 1906 Japan stepped into Korean affairs with assurance of safety independence and friendship. but since then Japan's influence has grown in extent and power until final ly today Korea faces in the abdication of the present Emperor the final ex- tinction of her claims to recognition as an independent state for the installa- tion of a nominal Emperor. selected by the statesmen of Japan, seems to fndt- cate that Korea is to come wholly and entirely under the sway of the Japa- nese.
 .zlS NPotr ,r1t come as a surprise. For several days past the situation in the peninsula has pointed to just such an outcome and the sending of a deputation to the peace conference at The Hague to pro- test against Japan's attitude toward Korea weakened the Korean throne more than anything that has occurred since the assassination of the Queen. Viscount Hayashi the Japanese For eign Minister. left Tokio a few days ago for Seoul to untangle the knot caused by this latest Korean intrigue. and there is reason to believe that his visit would bring about radical change in the situation.
 Emperor Has Been HI.
 The Emperor recently has been de- scribed in news dispatches as greatly depressed and ill He is said to be living Hn a small building quite apart from his court and to have virtually withdrawn from all intercourse with the high officials of the empire. He is quite unaware of the predicament into which his country has been plunged.
 Of aspirants to the Korean throne there are four. The Grown Prince is regarded as incompetent. Prince Pax Yum Ho. who is supposed to be sup ported by Marquis Ito. and who re- gently has been brought back from exile. Is pro-Japanese, as is Prince Vie Chung Ong, another exile who has been awaiting developments at Fusan since July. Prince Eva, another candidate is also considered to be a protege of the Japanese.
 The Emperor of Korea was 56 years of age in September of last year He was called to the throne in 1864. when he was IS. He was married at the age of 15 to the Princess Min. a woman of noble Korean birth of the same age of her husband. It was she who was assassinated, The son of this union is the Crown Prince.