The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-11-07

which virtually created protector.
ate Japan was given Ill control
over Korea's foreign relations and q
more or less free hand in the reforms
required to raise the country to q
level with other countries OF the
world. 1t is claimed that this treaty
was forced on the Emperor by threats.
But when, in the treaty of Ports
mouth, Russia recognized Japan's
sphere of influence in Korea, all the
other Powers fell in line. all the lega-
lions were removed from Seoul, and
since that time Korea's foreign af-
fairs have been handled entirely by
the Japanese Government. But the
Emperor has been lighting against the
inevitable. He has done everything
in his power to obstruct the Japanese
programme, and as a last resort he
sent to The Hague a delegation to
appeal to the peace conference for
aid This plan could not but fail,
and with it came the downfall of the
Emperor.
Whatever their official statements
may be now, it is certain that the
Japanese plan the gradual absorption
of Korea and its final annexation to
the Mikado's empire. The country
geographically belongs to them, the
Japanese say, and they have con-
quered it time and again. With the
southern extremity of Korea-which
seems particularly designed for a
naval rendezvous-only four hours
away by sea from the very centre of
Japan, it is easy to see why Korea, in
the hands Of vacillating and ire
sponsible ruler, must ever prove a
menace and danger to Japan.
Both Prince Ito, the Japanese resi-
dent-general. and Viscount Hayashi,
the Japanese minister of foreign af-
fairs, deny that Japan had anything
to do with forcing the abdication of
the Emperor, and say that Japan did
not desire it. But Japans actions in
the country in the past few years
have not been above criticism. That
the Koreans feel deep resentment
against the Japanese is not to be won
dered at. For dozen years the jap
anese have been pouring into Korea
III great numbers. Since the close of
the war nth Russia some attempt, I
am told, has been made to control the
character of these settlers, but before
that time Korea was the Mecca for
the riffraff of Japan. Instead of the
farniuu rIocccc For xyt,;oh &hon, -,su
plenty of room in Korea, Japan con-
tributed few but the lowest dregs
from the cities, who settled in the
Korean towns and cities and formed
colonies which were a disgrace to
Japan. The overbearing arrogance
OF the Japanese, which is particularly
evident in the lower classes, was given
full sway in Korea, and the natives
were abused and ill-treated in a man.
ner almost indescribable. Land and
movable property of all sorts were
taken from the Koreans without pay
ment, and complaints were received
with blows and abuse. Now, how
ever, a better class of Japanese are
going to Korea, the hard working,
intelligent, progressive, agricultural
class. and, under the guidance OF
Prince Ito, it is probable that before
long these abuses will be suppressed.
That japan needs Korea there can
be no question. The Mikado's empire
is greatly overcrowded, and condi-
lions are growing worse every day.
An outlet for the surplus population
was absolutely necessary. It is not
strange, then, that Japan should turn
to Korea. Whatever else may be said
of the Japanese, they are, in the
main, intelligent and Industrious, and
they will make better use of the
country than the Koreans have done.
Under Japanese rule the land will be
cultivated. industries will spring up.
the Koreans will be taught the newer
civilization, and, when the brutality
and abuse are done away with, Korea
will be in better condition than ever
before.
For the Japanese / hold no brief.
His pride, his arrogance, his disregard
for the rights of others, will some
day surely bring him to grief. But
as long as the world moves, the old
and feeble and backward, whether
individuals or nations, must give way.
to the young and strong and progress
i've. There must be no waste places
on the earth's surface; and IL he who
holds the land, through sloth and
c-sf II
it, then must he surrender it to some
one who has the knowledge, the en-
ergy, to make it bring forth it's best
fruits. --Leslie's Weekly.