The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-21

 moment later Prince Ito entered We shook hands and he led me to a seat and sat down at some distance away opposite me. There was sofa at the side between us and a little later, in order to show his highness one of my former interviews with him, I 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 noticed that his highness drank it without cream, putting in two Jumps of sugar to sweeten 1t. There were cigars on the table, and Prince Ito smoked as he talked.
 Corea for the Coreans,
 During the conversation the subject of Corea came up, and I asked Prince Ito whether it was his intention to Japanize that country and whether Corea was to be wiped out as an independent nation.
 That depends on Corea herself" re- piled the Japanese resident general "I should like to see Corea 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 IS a nation that it be friendly to us, and that to
 
 If the Coreans 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.
 "As to rCorea for the Coreans,' I hope that we shall give the nation continued existence as such. although 1t may be sort of a dependent independence. We want to aid them in developing their country along the lines of the new civli- zation; and that we are trying to do. Our first purpose is to make the country quiet, orderly and law-observing. We are trying to wipe 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 My chief trouble at present is the lack of money. It takes more than good will to create civilization; and that is what we have to do in Corea.'
 How about the new Emperor of Corea. your highness?" I asked. Does he show any ability?"
 ''Yes; he has developed much since he was put on the htrone. He now goes about outside the palace and his eyes seem to be opening to the possibilities of his country. The crown prince, his brother, is a bright boy; and I should hot be surprised to find that he will make a good ruler. He is now with me. here in Japan; and is learning some thing of the great world outside Corea." At this point Prince Ito showed me a photograph which he had recently had taken of himself with the little crown prince standing beside him.
 The Yellow Peril.
 I next referred to the great awakening that is going on in Asia, speaking of the unrest in Persia. India and Turkey, and the new movement in China. and asked his highness to tell me what he thought Asia might be 50 years hence He replied
 That I will not venture to predict, but the changes will be many"
 '"How about the yellow peril? Will the yellow race with their many millions organize and combine to fight the white ones?"
 ''The yellow peril" said Prince Ito, lis the most spectacular chimera that has ever been brought forth by the diseased imagination of the sensational newspaper. I believe they call it the yellow journal in your country The idea Is absurd. Upon what basis could there be such , a combination? Take the matter of re- ligion! Buddhist faith which is generally held in Japan and also largely in China, is far more liberal than the Christian When we adopted our constitution we proclaimed freedom for all religions; and we still allow every man to think and believe for himself. You can never make military combination of nations or fight war on any such basis. We could not combine against you on the ground oi religion.
 'Then there is the matter of color! We may not like a man for his complexion but nations do not make war on such grounds. Besides, color is not national