Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-20

to be thrown into one The building i.
mostly one story, but it is SO large tina
1t covers an acre or more. sort of tenn
pie-like projection forms a porte cochere
and it was here that 1 was met by Mr.
f1lsatsuna Furuya, the private secretary
of his highnesS, and led into a reception
room.
After waiting there a moment 1 was
told that the prince was ready to receive
me. We walked down a long hall and
entered great parlor. which was carpet
cd and furnished in foreign style A mo-
ment later Prince Ito entered We shook
hands and he led me to q seat and sat
down at some distance away opposite me
There was sofa at the side between u.s.
and little later, in order to show his
highness one Of my former interviews
with him. / moved to this and thus sat
at his right hand, almost touching him as
he talked. During the conversation one
of the attendants brought in two small!
cups Of delicious Japanese tea. IT was
very hot, and L noticed that his highness
drank it without cream putting in two
Jumps OF sugar to sweeten it. There were
cigars on The table, and Prince Ito
smoked as he talked.
During the conversation the subject OF
Korea came up. and 1 asked Prince Ito
whether it was his intention to Japanize
that country and whether Korea was 10
be wiped out as an independent nation.
That depends on Korea herself" re-
piled the Japanese resident general II
should like to see Korea independent
provided its independence could be ar
ranged in such a way that we can be
sure that 1t will always be the friend OF
Japan. The geographical situation OF
the country Is such that it is necessary
to our peaceful existence as a nation
that it be friendly to us, and that to
a certain extent it be controlled by us
If the Koreans could convince us that
that would be the case and they would
hold to their promises, they might be
Independent. Otherwise they must be
subordinate to Japan. If not they will
be forming alliances with other nations
and they would be sure to bring us
trouble of one kind .or another
LAS to Korea for the Koreans I hope
that We shall give the nation a continue.
existence as such. although it may be
4 sort of dependent Independence. We
want to aid them in developing their
country along the lines of the new civii-
cation: and that we are trying to do Our
quiet. orderly and !aw-observing. We
are trying to wip- out injustice and eXtor-
ton, and are establishing courts. we
have instituted a few schools. We have
built some railroads, and as soon as We
have money we shall build more. Ny
chief trouble at present is III lack of
money. II takes more than good will
to create civilization: and that is what
VIC have to do in Korea.
How about tn, naw Emperor Of
Korea. your highness?" / asked. Does
he show any ability
Yes; he has developed much since
he vas Put on the throne. He now goes
about outsiGC the palace and his eyes
seem to be opening to the possibilities;
Of his country. The crown prince. his
brother. is bright boy: ana l should
not be surprised to find that he will
make Il good ruler. He is row with
me, her. in Japan; and IS learning some
thing of the great world outsite Korea :"
AT this point Prince Ito showed me
!! photograph which he had recently had
;ukeR .ef hims' Ii with tie little crown
ptGcc Standing beside him.
mex; referred to the great awakening
that is going on in Asia, spec king OF III =
unrest In Persia. India and Turkey. and
thu new movement In China. and asked
his hfghness to tell me what he thought
Asia might be fifty years hence. He re-
piled:
THAT viii not venture 10 predict. but
tn" changes will be many"
How about tie yellow peril? VIII the
yellow races with their many millions