New-York tribune., 1908-02-01
Literary .NetOs and Criticism.

picion- a great deal of water will pass under
the bridge before August l., 1915, when the alli-
ance expires by limitation.
Much valuable ard interesting information
about a little known country is gathered in
The Passing of Korea" by Homer B Hubert.
The author, long resident in Korea writes with
sympathetic appreciation of its people, of whom
he says: They are overshadowed by China. on
the one hand, in respect of numbers and by
Japan, on the other, in respect of wit. They
are neither good merchants Ike the
good fighters like the other, and yet they are
far more like AngIo-Saxons il temperament
than either. and they by far tie peasantest
people in the Far East TO live amongst" That
the japanese have marvellous mastery of the
press agents business was abundantly shown in
the Russian war. but it is not less clear in the
impression they have created that the Koreans
are degenerate, contemplate and inferior peo-
pie. incapable Of governing or protecting them
selves, and, of course. much better off under
japanese rule than Independent. Mr.. HuIbert's
pages furnish a calm. dispassionate answer TO
these charges. which he tells US have been
formulated with deliberate purpose that reached
its elimination on November L. 1906. when at
the swords point. Korea was compelled to acquI-
esce, voluntarily" IN the practical destruction
OF her independence forever. The part that the
different powers. including the United States,
played IN this national tragedy is laid with con-
vincing detail before the reader. The case
against Japan is made clear and unanswerable
and backed by numerous illustrations of hard
ship and unfairness The usual devices for keep
Ing the subject country in debt to its masters
were resorted to, land and property were Sc
questrated without compensation and needless
brutality manifested TO the poor and defence
less.
The Koreans have been called people Of in
feTior intelligence but the truth j. rhat in pure
dipomscy. hnesse. they have outyitted the Jap
century. In 1888 i'm lS4B in 4994 the K Ioresus out
nlanoslJvred the Japanese in dipIorlacy and ii
was Only 10y coming with the sword that the
latter Carried her point At the beginning 0f the
promise to preserve the independence the Korean
government Japan felt called upon give this
namely ilIe psssiyity Of the Korean peonIe and
ineir good VIII during the war. Korea believed
Lle promise, but when the need Of keeping her
QLlel l-dO passed Japan ny an act OF unparalleled
JTeaCnery proved that her word was not as good
as Russta's, for, while Russias retention OF Man
CllUrIa was only the pcstponement Of promised
Evacuation. the seizure Of Korea abso-
igte ana unhlushing refusal 70 pay. for favors
SHOWN, the price that had been definitely agreed
While the arraignment of Japan is severe the
book is rot merely a bitter diatribe The au-
thor recognizes that nothing IS so wearisoule as
perpetual grievance. Besides stating the case
and soliciting sympathy for Korea and urging
upon the humane the opportunity of uplifting
her people by education. he provides readable
and instructive chapters upon her habits and
customs. upon her monuments her industries,
arts and superstitions. The illustrations are
unusually attractive and well selected