The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-05-04

The Japanese immigration and the
Conditions of Today-A Birds Eve
View of the Country-A Land OF
Few Cities and Thousands OF Vii
laees-Its Forests and Farms
something About the People
Transportation and Travei-The
New Roads, Etc.
copyright, 1900. by Frank G.. Car
penter.)
SEOUL. Korea. 1909.
How would You like to be a bone
eNerlastlngly fought over by hungry
dogs? This has been the position OF
Korea IN the past. and it will proba-
bly, be 50 in the future. The country
lies at just the right place to be the
battlefield OF three nations. 1t hangs
down like a great nose on the east face
of Asia, It's bottom almost touching the
hungry, over crowded empire OF
Japan. It's top ends at Manchuria,
beyond which is Siberia with her Pa
ciIic ports, icebound halt the year
round and needing it for an outlet to
the warm open seas. On the west is
China, with its vast horde of almond
eyed subjects h are Just beginning
~ duopt the ltlOUtTn c"lNlilZdliOn ana
Will soon coNet the world. All OF
these powers would like to chew at
the bone Of Korea. The Chinese dog
IS still too weak to more than snarl at
it. n Russia. for the time. has been
driven back by the iron teeth Of Japan.
The sweet morsel now lies in the paws
of the latter and she is wondering
whether she dare eat it or not.
Korca'S Past Troubles.
Korea has been ravaged by Japan
and China again and again h
Japanese came here as lar back as
A. D.. 200 and under the Empress
lingo conquered the country. About
100 years after Columbus discovered
America they again overran it under
their "M~onkey-faced General Hide
yOShi, who had taken an army across
the strait, intending to proceed on
ward to the conquest of hun am
not sure during which invasion it was
that the Koreans took the skins OF
the Japanese and used them for
drumheads; and the Japanese, III turn,
carried back home with them several
hundred thousand human ears which
they buried near one of their temples
in the city Of kyoto. During both
invasions, however. Korea suffered
greatly, as she did also in her roubles
with china
The Chinese practically controlled
Korea up TO the Var with Japan, and
that var was brought about over dis
putes as TO the rights Of the Japanese
here. / was in he country the
war broke out. and the King of Korea
was then sending tribute to Picking.
Yuan-Shih-kai, who was consul gen.
eral from China to Korea. was then
practically the dictator Of this coun-
try's foreign policy. and he had a way
Of riding with his retinue through the
main gate of the palace which etiquette
-,l 80 r-1Ceriha far hjS m lpCtN
alone.
After the war, the Japanese took
he lead and began to bulldoze Korea.
At the same time, Russia drew nearer
and nearer the bone and began to
chew round the edges. She was plan
ming the taking possession Of certain
islands when the japanese declared
war upon her, an dthe result was the
great fight in Manchuria, which has
now thrown Korea into the paws OF
Japan.
Will Japan Eat Korea?
The live question before the Worlo
today is whether the great Japanese
dog Will eat this fat and juicy Korea.
i have come here to find out, ana IN
these letters hope to tell you OF just
what the morsel consists and all l can
learn as to its prospective mastlcatloh
During the past few months l nave
been traVeing in Japan. and, II munger
IS any lnucX, tneTe Is ITO 1uo'.ioH
that Korea Will eventually rest IN tie
Japanese stomach. Just now the gov
is acting somewhat on 'he
humanitarian plan. which we nave
adopted as to the Philippine lsiahds
This was originated by Prince Ito. anu
as far as he and his assistance can 20
it is being carried out in good lal.ii
The situation. however. is such that II
is doubtful whether this can be Ions
continued.
Let me give you one phase or IL IN q
nutshell. Japan now has hfty nlilioi
Of the most industrious. most agsrea.
SiVe and most entertaining Souls upon