The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-07-19
VII !!!i!!.,a Not Yield His Throne Without
a Struggle
Cabinet is Determined to Decide
horea's Attitude-Country Like
ly to Come Under Full Sway of
Japan-WillN Not Affect Ameri-
can Interests.


meeting yesterday, which lasted four
hours the premier had an audience
with the emperor in the evening, con-
tlnuing for three hours 1t has trans
plred that the premier made a strongly
Worded representation of the gravity
of the situation caused by his majes-
tvs sending a delegation to the 4eace
conference at The Hague. He boldly
pointed out the necessity for the em-
perOr's abdication in favor of the
crown prince and of his proceeding to
Toxic 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 cabi-
net meeting which lasted until 2
o'clock this morning. The cabinet is
determined definitely to decide on Is y
rea's attitude today, or by the time of
panese foreign minister. 1t is believed
that the ministers will insist upon tie
abdication of the emperor at all risk.
The II Ching Hoi Progressive Asso-
citation, which is supporting the pres
ent cabinet, has officially applied to
Marquis Ito to help save Korea fr'm
the grave consequences of the emper-
or's action against Japan.
1t is reported that the emperor has
withdrawn 100000 yen deposited in the
Bank of Shanghai.
It is not likely that the emperor will
yield to the demand for his abdication
without struggle.
Toxic, July 17.-Although Korea is
under an absolute monarchy the demo-
cratic custom has existed since olden
days of demanding the retirement from
the throne Of a sovereign whose con-
duct endangered the national welfare.
When such an occasion arises the US
age prevails that all of the cabinet
ministers shall appear before their
ruler. One acting as spokesman num-
bly, states the advisability of the en-
perOrs retirement in favor of a right
full successor. When this state is
reached the emperor is morally bound
to abdicate.
The request made by the premier Of
Korea apparently is the beginning Of
the end of this ancient empire and the
Inauguration of a closer control by
Japan than that she has exercised
since the treaty of Portsmouth recog-
nized her predominant influence in
the Hermit Kingdom as one Of the
fruits of her victory over Russia. For
q long period Korea was under the
sovereignty of China, but in 1S94-5
Japan drove China out of the peninsu-
lar and Korea enjoyed brief period
of independence In 1904 Japan step
ped into Korean affairs with assurance
of safety. independence and territorial
integrity, but since that year the Jap
anese influence has grown in extent
and power until finally today Korea
faces, in the abdication Of the present
emperor, the final extinction of her
claims to recognition as an indeDend-
ent state, for the installation OF d
nominal emperor, selected by the
statesmen of Japan, seems to indica1e
that Korea is to come wholly and en-
tirely under the sway of the Japanese.
Washington, July lit is not seen
| here how American interests can be
| adversely affected by what has taken
| place in Korea. for although certain
| Americans are in possession of conces-
sions for railway and mining exploita
| tions in that country, it is assumed
that Japan will faithfully regard such
Obligations the event that she comes
nto control of the country. 1t is trle
that by treaty the United States
one time undertook to guarantee tn
Integrity of Korea. but in recent year!
it has been held that the development
of affairs in the east have absolvet
America from that obligation.