The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-04-24


the intrigucs OF China, Russia and
Japan. all Of whom kept old China
out Of the game, and later the llttl"
people TO the south have bested
Russia at intrigue, as at arms. So
Korea lay at the mercy Of Japan.
1T did not suit the purpose Of the
1 latter, and il would really have been
impolitical to annex Korea at once.
The latter was an independent ma
ton, having treaties with the great
nations of the earth. But, IN one
way and another. Japan's control
increased TO the degree that in
| November. 1905. she offered TO no
rea a treaty giving the actual mani
agement of the nations affairs over
into the hands Of the Japanese.
This incident was sensational
enough 10 satisfy the most faded
lover of Observation-Disclosures litera-
ture. Marquis Ito. the japanese
Resident-General, who had under
taken the rehabilitation Of Korea,
led a company Of Japanese soldiers
into the cabinet meeting where sat
the Korean King and his counselors.
This treaty which practically
brings TO an end KOrea's existence
as one Of the two oldest nations on
the earth, was offered TO the King
and cabinet to sign. They refused.
The japanese urged, argued, cajoled,
clustered. threatened - all in vain.
The cabinet meeting was dissolved
and the Japanese efforts continued
with individuals. Some Of the
weaker men were overcome.
Then Marquis Ito ordered an
other meeting. but the Prime Min
lister refused to convene IT, The
Japanese went ahead anyway, with
out a properly called cabinet ses-
sion. The Minister OF Finance
signed. and the Prime Minister
slapped him in the face and called
him a traitor. The Prime Minister
himself never signed the treaty
neither did the King. The latter
afterward gave out letter, under
his own seal. declaring that he hal
never signed, and that the treaty
was null and void. From four dis
tinct and trustworthy sources I
have had assurance, while in Seoul,
that the story really happened a.
related above, and that the King is
still opposed to the japanese usur-
patton Of power. The japanese Of
flcials refused TO let me see the
King, although | asked permission
Of Marquis Ito himself was in
formed by those in close touch with
his majesty that he would be will
ing aud glad to give audience TO an
Americn journalist. But the King
is prisoner in one Of his own
palaces: nobody is allowed to sec
him without Japanese permit.
I'VE do not treat street ours in
America as the lowest japanese
Coolie feels free to treat Korean
gentleman. Only this morning the
Japanese porter carrying my bag
wanted to pass an elderly Korean,
who stood with his back toward us,
in the railway station. Did the
coolie turn to one side or ask the
other 10 move? Not he; with an
imprecation. he gave the man
shove that knocked him out of the
way. That sort Of thing is so gen.
eral that the sixty thousand Jap
anese now in Korea are feared by
the twelve million Koreans 10 the
point of AFFECTION; for an appeal 10
japanese official justice seems 10
bring nothing but increased trou-
Bile.
"A Japanese broke into the house
of an English-speaking Korean
whom | know, because the latter
would not sell his property at the
japanese figure, and smashed the
furniture. ornaments, and hanging
lamp. The Korean, with the help
OF another, tied the offender TO a
chair and sent for a policeman.
When the latter la Japanesel came
the only crime he would consider
was that Of barbarian tying up a
civilized man; and he took away as
evidence the rope with which the
Korean had committed this heinous
offensel Is IL any wonder, as one
Of the leading natives in all Korea
said TO me, that the villagers
throughout the country would
rather see the black death enter
their community than a Japanese2
80 much OF this sort OF thing