JAPAN AND KOREA.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 November 1907, Page 12

JAPAN AND KOREA.

Toklo, September .21. Tho Marquis Ito ; tho Japanese ResidentGeneral in Korea,- will leave for Seoul tomorrow. In tho course of an interview boforo his investiture as a Princo by the Mikado at tho Palaco tivday, tho Marquis spoke on tho subject of tho future of Korea. During tho month ho has spent in Tokio, Marquis lto (to call him still by his formor and well known title) has devoted his entire attention to Korean affairs, and tho Emperor and the Ministers arc in unanimous approval of his programmo for the reform of tho Korean administration; and never, excopt during the war, have Japaneso politicians been so united on one policy. Discussing tho situation, tho marquis exhibited an amount of feeling unusual in a Japaneso. "It is right," ho declared, "and therefore it must bo dono; and 1 must succeed if tho task is possiblo of human accomplishment."

"Somo peoplo in Japan believed it was a mistako not to annex Korea, but I am convinced that annexation would havo boon merely a crude and cruol way of securing the desired friendship and assistanco of Korea in order to build up tho two countries which ihavo common • interests. Annexation forms no part of the Emperor's plan, unless it is proved to be quite un&voidablo. Annoxation would mean a loss of self -respect to the Koreans, and would bo too violent a remedy. Tho producing masses of Korea havo been sufferers from corrupt misgovernmont and political intrigue, and tho oppression of the agriculturists; and all development has boen hindered, tho situation thus created becoming .a menace to Japan.

"There is no reason for not taking the public abroad into my confidence. Ido not dosiro secrecy. Tho ten niillions of people in Korea would become- tho frionds of Japan moro quickly if they wore acquainted with the fact that my programmo is directed ontirely to tho relief and assistance of the pooror classes by moans of enactments respecting tho land laws, eqnitablo taxation, education, and justice

"I want | British missionaries to know that lam anxious to help thorn. We aro all working for a common, object—the building up of civilisation. Missionaries should not bo concornod in politics, but should attend to their work, whilo I for my part will attond to mino and each wUI certainly help tho other. What does it matter about tho colour of my skin or my roligious belief, if I am working for tho good of humanity? Unthinking people may hamper, but ;they will not prevent tho attainment of our purpose Wo aro going ahead in Koroa in spite of opposition from any sourco or any country. I concur with the dictum that 'in diplomacy as in individuals, honesty is tho best policy.' Japan has counted tho cost of reform] in Korea, and nothing. ehall prorent us from carrying it out. "It is truo that tho Koreans thomselvcs may prevent tho accomplishment of our purpose to give them their own system of goTernment end thoir own army; but Koreans all tho world over must understand once for all, that tho political supremacy of Japan in Korea will remain firmly established. Wo aro not asking tho advico of any ono regarding this policy. If tho Koroaus rofuso to accept fair and friondly assistnnco, then they will, by their own act, writo annexation into history. As a nation divided in sentiment from Japan. Korea canuot stand."-