The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1907-08-24

in doubt as to the future develop |
ments in Korea there is one point |
on which it may rest confident, and |
that is that Japan will dominate and |
direct all the affairs Of the kingdom.
This the Japanese are frank to ad- |
NIT, even to the Koreans themselves, |
for Marquis Ito, resident general at
Seoul. said recently in an address:
You may talk all you please about
the independence of Korea, but no
country can be made Independent by
others II It cannot stand alone. One
who wants independence must learn
how to get It," And it may be safely
inferred that Japan in her control or
the kingdom will take good care that
the Koreans do not learn this les
son
There is reason for regret that cir
y cumstances have arisen by which
Korea has not been permitted to de-
velop It's own racial individuality ana
to work cut it's own destinies, but IN
all it's long existence it never has
been, for the Land of the Morning
Calm has always been battlefield
for other nations. Throughout It's
history China and Japan have stimuli
taneously claimed and alternately eX-
ercised authority over the land. Seven
teen hundred years ago Japanese
woman, the widow of a mikado, ap-
peared in Korea with feet and army.
The king of that country submitted
without a struggle. He tied his hands
together and suffered Queen Jingu to
hang her bow over the gate OF his
palace and to inscribe on it THE King
of Korea is the Dog Of Japan" Ever
since the japanese have claimed the
domination of Korea. And recent
events are but repetition of history.
Yi-Heui the erstwhile emperor, was
but following in the footsteps of his
distinguished ancestry, when he alb.
dicated in favor of the crown prince
at the polite but emphatic invitation
of Marquis Ito.
1t is undoubtedly true that 1i-Hieui
during his reign of over 40 years has
done little for his people, but the
DISTINGUISHED rld-spectator is ask
ing the question, viii Japan do more?
For nearly II years now by the right
of conquest and usurpation, the Jap
auese have from time to time eXer-
cisesd sovereignty in Korea.
Their most prominent agents have
been the late Mr.. Hoshi Toru and Gen
Miura. Hosti when he returned to
Toxic api endeavored to introduce the
system of graft and corruption which
had characterized his official conduct
in Scout was promptly aSsassinated,
and Gen. Miura was sent to prison for
making possible, if he did not actually
inspire the horrible murder of the anti
japanese queen. Undoubtedly at times
the intentions of the Toxic govern
ment have been honorable and sim
cere attempt made to elevate Korean
morals and the bureaucratic ideals of
the slothful Yangbans. However, al
most invariably the men chosen for
the difficult task have added by their
activity nut little honor to the war.
like halo OF the rising sun banner.
The political chances would seem to
be in favor of the early removal Of the
emperor OF Korea to Toxic, where he
could play royalty in exile with the
former king of the FooChoo islands,
the last of a royal line with whom
Commodore Perry made a treaty of
peace, aaity and commerce some
months before his memorable entry
into Yeddo bay and the closed world
Of Japan. With the head of their
royal house in exile or prisoner the
sleeping Koreans may be aroused to
the danger of what is more irksome
the dscomforts of their situation, and
once aroused, there is historic preCe
dent TO chow that the Korean can be
an awkward customer. On two sepa
rate occasions and without foreign
assistance he has driven back the in
vader who came from across the Sea
of Japan to rob him Of his beloved
fatherland, his wide-fowing sleeves
and his top-knot hairdress.
But such developments, while not
impossible, are highly improbable
japan has settled down in Korea tC
stay. Yi-Syek, the new emperor will
give TIE official stamp to all that
J - doas, and be content that he
IS pc lifted to live in regal splendor
He was born In 1874 and is the sor
OF Queen Min, who was so brutally
murdered in 1895. The present up
heaval at Seoul is quite in contrast
10 that tragic event, although Their
Japan was an interested factor as
she is now.
hut perhaps it is because Queer
Min was so strong a character anC
her son so weak that the bloodshet
which marked her elimination from
Korean affairs is absent now In the re
cent upheayal Undoubtedly it wa:
the auu-Japanese attitude Of Queer
Min which inspired her murder. al
though the prime corsrirator is al
L.tted 10 have been the national Crane