New-York tribune., 1907-07-18
A THRONE IN DANGER.
ABDTC4TTON IN COREA
Demand Made on Emperor-B Belief
Sovereign VII Yield

yesterday which lasted four hours. the Premier
had an audience with the Emperor in the even
ing. lasting three hours The Premier made
strongly worded representation Of the era,,i+,,
Of the situation caused by his ma jesty's sending
delegation TO the peace conference ut Tho
Bague He pointed out the necessity for the
Emperor's abdcation in favor of the Grown
Prince and Of his proceeding to Toxic and apol
ogtzing TO the Emperor of Japan. The Corean
Emperor made no definite reply
on retiring from the palace the Premier i'm
mediately called another Cabinet meeting. which
lasted until o'clock this morning. The Cabi-
net viii decide on Corea's attitude by the time
of the arrival OF Viscount Hayashi. the Japanese
Foreign Minister Il is believed that the min
listers vii! insist the abdcation OF the EN-
peror.
The Il Ching Hoi Progressive Association
which Is supporting the present Cabinet has
officially applied to Marquis Ito TO help save
Corea from the grave consequences of the En-
peror's action against Japan.
II is reported that the Emperor has Withdrawn
100000 yen deposited in the Bank of Shanghai.
Il IS not considered likely that the Emperor
VIII yield to the demand for his abdication with
out a struggle.
Despite the perturhed feeling ard excitement
Of The court and Cabinet the populace generally
IS calm Even the ti-Japanese Association
has issued a manifesto urging the necessity Of
peaceful. prudent attitude at this critical stage
Of the situation.
The Emperor. in the opinion Of close observers
has aienated popular affection
Toxic, July 17-Although Corea IS under an
absolute monarchy. the democratic custom has
existed since olden days Of demanding the re-
tiremeut from the throne Of a sovereign whose
conduct endangers the national welfare. When
such an occasion arises. all the Cabinet minis
ters according TO tradition. must appear before
their ruler. one Of them. acting as spokesman.
humbly sets forth the advisa bility of the En-
perors retirement in favor of rightful sue
cessor. When this action is taken, the Emperor
IS morally bound TO abdicate
London. July 17.-The abdication Of the En-
pe-Cr OF Korea would cause surprise here.
Matters have been drifting in that direction
ever since the japanese occupation Of that
country. and the japanese government evidently
regards the dispatch OF q Corean delegation 10
The Hague as afIording her the long sought pre-
text for putting end to the present anoma-
lous condition of affairs in Corea
The mission Of NisCOunt Hayashi, the japanese
Foreign Minister. who left Toxic on Monday for
Seoul seems TO point 10 q decision on the part Of
Japan 10 secure the deposition Of the Emperor
and assume the entire control Of the country
The request made by the Premier of Corea that
the Emperor abdlcate, apparently marks the begin
Ming cf q closer control by Japan than that which
she has exercised since the treaty Of Portsmouth
-eo5r-ized he dominant influence n the Hermit
Knedo- as one Of the fruits OF her victory over
Rlssa For q long period Corea was under the
suzerai-ty Of China but in lss4-s5 Japan drove
China cut Of the peninsula ana Corea enjoyed
bret period Of independence. In 1874 Japan stepped
into Corean affairs with assurance OF safety IN
dependence and territorial integrity but since that
year -he japanese influence has grown IN extent
and power To-day Corea faces in the aodlcauoh
of TIE present Emperor the eXtinc4oa OF eF cla4filS
To recognition as an independent state for the in
sralletion Of a nominal emperor. selected by the
Statesmen Of Japan. seems TO indicate that CoTea
f- n 1=rr I il
Fer several days The situation in The peninsula
has r--.r-ed 70 such an outcome The sending Of
de7utetlon tie peace conference al The Hague
70 protest against Japans attitude toward Corea
weakened the Corean throne more than anything
that has occurred since the assassination OF the
Cueer Viscount Hayashi, the japanese Foreign
Minister. left Toxic \ few days ago for Seoul 70
u1tancle the knot caused by this latest OF ~orean
The Emperor recently has been described IN news
dispatches as greatly depressed He IS said 70 be
Igtng q small building apart from ms court ana
70 have virtually withdrawn from all intercourse
with rhe high officials Of The empire
There are four aspirants 70 the Corean throne
TIE Crown Prince IS regarded incompetent
Primo PAX Yum 10, who IS supposed to be sup
ported by Marquis ITO and recently has been
brought back from exile is pro-Japanese. as Is
Prince u Cheung Yong another exile, VINO mas
been awaiting developments at Fusan since July
= Prince Eva. another candidate, also Is consid-
cred 70 be favorable TO the japanese.
Soon after the outbreak OF war between Russia
and Jauan on February g. 1884 agreement be-
tween Japan and Corea was signed Under TINS
Corea undertook 10 adopt the advice Of Japan in
Improvement IN administration. and tle
japanese government undertook 70 insure the
safety Of the imperial household Of Corea. and
guaranteed the independence and territorial integ-
rty d rEe COroan Empire
BY another agreement. signed August p 1904
Co-ea uE5ertoOk TO regulate her finances and her
foreign relations according the advice Of Jap
an-se financial adviser and foreign diplomatic ad
wiser recommended by Japan, and 70 consult with
the japanese government before making treaties or
conventions with foreign powers.
By the peace treaty between Russia and Japan
the paramount interest OF the latter country in
Ccrea Was acknowledged. This treaty. in Article
T. says
The imperial Russian government. acknowledge
Ing that japan possesses in Corea paramount po-
Ancal military and economical interests, engages
neither 0ostruct nor interfere with measures for
guidance protection and control which the imperial
government q Japan may find necessary TO take
Il COrea."
4 treaty between Corea and Japan. signed at
through the Department Of Foreign Affairs in To-
ko should control and direct the external relations
and affairs OF Corea; that Japan should be repre-
sented the court OF the Emperor Of Corea by a
Resident general at Seoul and have the right 70
other places in Corea a II might deem necessary
The Emperor Of Corea was hfty-six years old In
September last year. He called TO the throne
IN lsS4 He was married az the age OF hIteeh 10
the Princess Min a Corean woman OF nopIe OH IN
Of the same age as her husband II was She %tIo
was assassnated IN 1855. The son from THIS union
h the crown prince