The new South-news., 1907-11-09


which virtually created = protector
ate. Japan was given iill control
over Korca's foreign relations and a
more or lcas free hand In the reforms
required 10 raise the country 10
level with other Countries Of the
world n is claimed that this treaty
wag forced On the Emperor BY threats.
But when. Ia the treaty OF Ports
mouth. Russia recognized Japan's
sphere OF influence In Korea. all the
other Powers fell In line. all the lega-
tons were removed from Seoul. and
since that time korcas foreign af-
fairs have been handled entirely by
the Japanese Government But the
Emperor has been nghfIng against the
inevitable. He has done everything
IN his power 70 obs,rnc' the Japanese
programme. and as last resort he
sent 20 The Hague delegation to
appeal 10 the peace conference for
aid This plan could not but fail.
and with n came the downfall OF the
Emperor.
Whatever their ofncial statements
may be now. II ls certain that the
japanese plan The gradual absorption
Of Korea and SIS final annexation 10
the Alkado'a empire The country
/ geographically belongs to them. the
Japanese say. and they have con
quered IT time and again. with the
southern extremity 81 korea--which
seems particularly designed for
naval rcndezvous--only four hours
away BY sea from the very centre OF
Japan. II II easy 10 see why Korea. In
the hands OF a yacillating and ire
hponaihlr ruler must ever prove a
menace and n danger TO Japan
Both Prince Ito. the Japanese resi-
dcni-gencral. and Viscount Hayashi.
the japanese minister OF foreign af-
fairs. deny that Japan had anything
70 do with forcing the abdlcation OF
the Emperor. and say that Japan did
not desire ~. But Japan's actions in
the country In the past few years
have not been above criticism. That
the Koreans feel deep resentment
against the JapaneHe is not To be won
dcrcd at For dozen years the Jap
ancse have been pouring into Korea
In great numbers. Since the close OF
the war with Russia some attempt.
ann told. has been made to control the
character OF these settlers. but before
that time Korea was the Mecca for
the ritfran OF Japan. Instead of the
farming classes. FOR which there was
plenty of room in Korea. Japan con-
iributcd few but the lowest dregs
from the cities. who settled In the
Korean towns and cities and formed
colonies which were disgrace 10
Japan The ovcrbearing arrogance
Of the japanese. which is particularly
evident In the lower Glasses. WAS given
fun sway In Korea. and the natives
were abused and ill-trcated In man
ncr almost indcscribablc Land and
movable property OF all sorts were
taken from the Koreans without pay
men,, and complaints were received
with blows and abuse. Now. how
ever. a better class OF Japanese are
sar1nksn~ -rrvs6j - Is as,:.ss1 -; =
class. and, under the guidance OF
Prince Ito. II Is probab BILE that before
long these abuses viii be suppressed
That japan needs Korea there can
be no question. The Mikados empire
is greatly ovcrcrowdcd. and cthdi
tions are growing worse every day
An outlet for the surplus population
was absolutely necessary. II is not
strange. then, that Japan should turn
TO Korea. Whatever else may he said
of the Japanese. they are. in the
main. intelligent and Industrious. aud
they Will make better use OF the
country than the Koreans have done
Under Japanese rule the land will b.
cultivated. industries Will spring up
the Koreans will be taught the newer
civilization, and. when the brutality
and abuse are done away with. kores
will be In better condition than evel
before.
For the Japanese | hold no brief
lIis pride. his arrogance. his disregard
for the rights OF others. will som,
day surely bring him to grief. Bu
as long as the world moves. the ole
md feeble and backward. whether
individuals or nations. must give wa!
to the young and strong and progress
i've. There must be no waste places
on the carth's s,frfacc; and II he VIII.
holds the land. through sloth an,
ignorance. fails to make the best o
II. then must he surrender II to som,
one who has the knowledge. the en-
ergy, to make II bring forth It's beS
fruits. Weekly.