The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1908. THE TRAGEDY OF KOREA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2221, 19 June 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1908. THE TRAGEDY OF KOREA.

Probably no other ; journalist has succeeded' in setting before the Eng-lish-speaking people such readable studies on- tho Asiatic people as lias Mr. F. A. Mackenzie, the well-known “special” of tho ~ London “Daily Mail.” He has rare gifts of observation, shrewd judgment, and a directness of expression that have given to his writings a very wide vogue, and the subject matter, the part the Oriental rices are playing in the world’s affairs, i6'an engrossing one at the presont time. Amongst the countries visited by Mr. Mackenzie in soarch.of newspaper “copy”-was Korea, and bis findings in regard to the conditions of the “Hermit Kingdom” havo been studied with the kocnost interest everywhere. Afore recently tlio “Daily Mail” correspondent has published his experiences and views in book form under tho title of “The Tragedy of Korea,” and the publication is creating a good deal of comment in' London circles. It certainly throws a lurid light upon the Japanese methods of colonisation. Air. Alackenzie calls his book tho story of the awakening and the destruction of a nation. His presentation of this story amounts to an indictmont of the Japanese on tho score of “odious cruelty, needless slaughter, and wholesale theft.” This is strong language, but the author gives chapter and verse for liis accusations, so far as cruelty, slaughter, and theft are concerned, and is borne out iby other witnesses, some of whom he quotes. To decide on the actual degree of cruelty or dishonesty one needs to judge by Oriental standards, and from this respect the adjective “needless” seems too sweeping. Yet, on the whole, he writes with a sense of fairness. No unbiassed observer can deny that Koroa owes the loss of hor independence mainly to the corruption and weakness of her old national administration. It is equally true that Japanese policy on tho mainland has been made more difficult by tlio intrigues and obstinacy of the old Court party. . . . Japan lias broken her solemn promises to Korea and lias evaded In every way her pledged obligations to maintain the policy of equal opportunity because she is driven thereto by heavy taxation, by the poverty of her people, and by the necessity of obtaining fresh markets and new lands for settlement. Thoro ond has the caso in a nutshell—Kolia's weakness and Japan’s need. ]fc is necessary to keep these points firmly fixed in one's mind before trying to pronounce judgment on the events of tho past few years. The ml tragedy of Korea was tho decay of an ancient country up to tlio point when it hag become the natural prey of a strong neighbor. The third element in the situation, and ono which should be examined carefully and scientifically, is the quality displayed by Japan 111- the work of conquest. Putting aside all sentiment and sympathy with the expiring efforts of Korean nationalism, one cannot fail to bo struck with tlio fact that Japan has alienated from herself during the few years of her operations in Korea the sympathies of Europeans and Americans who were previously strongly pro-Japanese. Thero is a practical agreement on the part of all recent English and American writers on the Far East to tlio effect that Japan has been a great disappointment in Korea. AVo expected a good deal .after the conduct of the Japanoso troops In tlio international expedition to Poking in 1900. AA’o expected still more from the men who displayed such powers of organisation in the 'Russo-Japanese AVar. Of course, no Englishman can he expected to like the squeezing out of British trade in Korea, which is now being accomplished by indirect means, such a 6 ignoring patent rights, giving facilities to- Japanese’ goods, and other evasions of the principle of “equal rights.” If Japan accomplishes 'her design of making Koroa a province the high Japanese tariff 'wall will go round the once Hermit Kingdom and .British trade will he directly punished. Concluding an admirable critique on the hook, a writer in the London “Aforning Post” says:—But the conclusion to bo drawn from this book, and from others which have recently appeared in the Far East, is that to imagine British intorcte secured by tlioA-nglo-Japaneso Treaty is t 0 reckon, not without our host, hut without tho necessities of Japan, -which drive her into a policy inimical to all interests save hor own. Air. Mackenzie’s hook is sad reading,, hut it deserves attention by all who are watching developments in tlie Far East.

Reports as to the progress of tho girl Atiss Petersen who was shot nt Paknrao last week -go Jo - show that her improvement is. maintained, .uuu she is rapidly .gaining strength.

A general mooting of the Gisborne branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union will be he’d in tlio Farmers Union Club rooms to-morrow .afternoon, at 2 p.m.

A ballot was hold at the local Land Office yesterday morning to dotormino the successful applicant for tho lease of the Hikurangi grazing block, and Air. Colin Dunlop Gray drew the lucky number.

A sitting of the Native Land Court was hold before Judge Jones yesterday, when a largo quantity of detail work was put through. ’Tho Court will continue to sit hr Gisborne for soiiic time, and some important cases are set down for hearing.

.During tlio great Boston fire two women became mothers while the houses in which they lived were in jinnies, They were successfully, removed on ambulances to hospitals. Ono of them was named Airs iSmoko, uid lived l in Ash street, which is now a heap of cinders.

A number of small farmers in tlio Bush Districts who havo been dabbling In sheep for tlio past low years, are selling their Hocks (sa-s our W'airur ipa correspondent) owing to tlio low price of wool, and are going back- to dairying, their original industry. •

AVo havo it on unimpeachable authority (says the “Tiiiiaru Post”) that Mr, J. T. .M. Twomey, of Teimilca, is so inconbcd at some of the remarks made by Air. Flatuian in his speech at Teniuka on Tuesday night, that ho has declared hie intention tostand for the Ashburton seat, in opposition to Mr. Flatman- at tho coming general election.

A first offender for drunkenness was convicted and dealt -with in the usual manner by Mr. J. AV. Bright, J.P., at tlio Police Court yesterday' morning. 'Later, in the Magistrate’s Court, before Messrs J. AV. .Bright and V. .Pylce, J.’gP., judgment by default was granted in- tho caso of Janies Whiivray (Mr. Stock) v. F. J. O’Sullivan, claim £ls, with costs £1 10s Gd.

At tho'Validation Court on AYednosday, -Air. Finn-, on behalf of Herowini Patara, made an application for an order against the Commissioner of tho East Coast Native Trust Lands (Air. T. A. Coleman) -for a refund of certain purchase, moneys in connection with tho sale of Nukutaurua block, sold 10 years ago by tho Trustees. Mr. J. AV. Nolan appeared for Air. Coleman. After the hearing of argument, in which Air. Nolan disclaimed liability on the ground tli.it the present Commissioner had nothing to do with the money in question, and further that thero was no money on hand to meet an older should one bo made, His Honor (Judge Jones) will deliver judgment on AVednesday next. ■»

Overcrowded Seatoun cars on Saturday wore responsible for a small army of little Christian Endeavburers, unable to get seats back to town, starting on foot for Aliramar junction. It was cold and dai’k (says tlio New Zealand “Times”), and the little ones were on tho verge of tears; but one small genius, realising tho power of song, struck up an air, and in a few minutes tho army of seven-year-olds was marching on to Aliramar to the swing of “Hold tho Fort,” “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “Waiting at the Church,” etc. An hour later they arrived, mud-splashed and tired, but triumphant, with one casualty—a mite of five years riding pick-a-back on tho shoulders of a kindly stranger.

Tho training ship Amokura was not a happy home for tlio man behind the steam during her last trip, and once or twice she shipped so much water that the engine room was all awash nipl .the bunkers full' of 6ea. Great difficulty was experienced in righting maters, for the gun-boat engines are much confined. The reason' why the boat ships water (says the “Wangalmi Chronicle”) is that there is too much of iter above the water line, the removal of much gear, having unduly lightened her. She will havo tw 0 or tbreo feet added to tho height of the engine-room skylights before going to sea. again. This, it- is thought, will prevent the seas from filling tho engine-room in rough weather.

Air William Car risen, Harbormaster at Port AlcDonnell, Victoria, lost a valuable medal some ten years a<so, while travelling by rail ’from Victoria to Mount Gambler. He was looking out of the window, and, drawing hack suddenly, the medal caught in the woodwork, ami fell between the lining of tlio carriage. All efforts to recover it proved fruitless. Air. Carrison was told that tlie carriage would- have to be taken to pieces before tlio property could he recovered. The medal had been presented to Mr .Carrison in 1876 for assisting to rescue the crew of the barque Agnes which was wrecked about five miles cast of Cape Banks, at ■Carpenter’s Rocks, on July 19th, 1870. The disaster .at ißrnybrook was the means of the recovery of the medal. The captain of the steamer Flinders took it to Port AlcDonnell and gave it to the astonished owner. Just before leaving ALelbourne the captain was asked to deliver the medal, it having been picked up among the debris at Bruybrook.

A young man, whose behavior, apparently, was not in accord with the usual conventions of society, received rather a painful correction in Cathedral Square late last evening (says the “Press” of Saturday) from a well-dres6ed young lady" The young man, with a companion, was crossing the Square when he noticed the lady approaching. After making •a casual remark to his companion he greeted the young lady, but his salutation was not recognised. He then persisted in walking alongside the lady, when, without the slightest warning, she suddenly turned on him, and with a walking-stick she had in her possession, began t<j convince him in a practical manner that liis presence was undesirable. The intruder found his position uncomfortable, and commenced to beat a hurried retreat, the lady meanwhile pursuing and raining innumerable blows on his head and shoulders, lit was not until lie had safelv negotiated the chain fence into the Cathedral grounds that trouble was finally -averted.

The “Investors’ Review” of May 2 states:—Sir Joseph .Ward .is nothing if not optimistic, but if the Colony of Near Zeal and really has gathered in a revenue for the financial year ended March 31 last amounting to £9,055,-9-10. then indeed it should be prosperous. This revenue exceeds by £656,870 that of tlic previous year, and •Sir Joseph Ward boasts that there is an available balance of £850,000 in the Treasury after paying off treasury bills to tbe amount of £150.OUO an<l hail'dinsr £‘Boo.ooo from rovenue to the Public Works Department. Since 1891 tin's Department lias already received £0,430,000, winch Sir Joseph apparently asks us to believe the ordinary revenue provided. Biit last year public works altogether absorbed £1,855.590 and presumably £IOOO of this was borrowed, and Ibe probability is that when the Budget figures appear New Zealand will lie found to have again added upwards of £2.000.?v?.| to I * le aggregate of its debt. While that borrowing system lasts it is impossible to believe in either the present or the future prosperity of the country. At the inquiry held over the accidental ramming of the gunboat Gladiator d-’ring manoeuvres at Spitliead, when so many were seriously injured, it did not transpire whether the pastry for the sailors was cooked in pie plates or not, nevertheless this week its pie .plates for sevenpenco each at Parnell’s Popular . Saturday Sales, 20’fch inst., only. For Children’s Hacking Cought at night Wooas’ Great Peppermint Cure. 1b 6d gjai' 2e pA

Rumor had it Hint tlio bakers were growing tired of coupons, and were going back to credit <says the “Dominion” of Tuesday). Truly, a startling rumor, in view of the fact that not long ago an enthusiastic chorus was raised by the members of the Muster lUakcis’ Union, in approval of the coupon system, and gratification at its success, inquiries by a “Dominion” 'representative proved that rumor was a lying jade. The system is still in vogue—cash, coupons, or nothing—and working very well. “If credit is boing given,” said one master-inker, “it is either by a supplier who is not a member of the Union, or by an employee of a member of the ifnion, without the latter’s knowledge—and lie cannot keep that up long.”

Unfortunate Dominion medals! exclaims the iNow Zealand “Times.” Months, overdue, they are now’to be kept in stock a little longer so that Dominion .Day may como round, and the presentation of the interesting souvenirs bo made on the appropriate date, September 26th. This decision of tlio Education l Department, which lias just boon- intimated to the 'Education Hoards, will cause, disappointment to some school children, . but when the long-awaited medals are finally in their hands they will be the better prized for being presented with some eclat. While New Zealand industries are so much in evidence, it may ho interesting to add that the medals were designed and iriade in Dunedin, and that they are quite as attractive as anything of the sort which could have been imported.

IMITATIVE SUICIDES. While bolding an inquest at-Hack-ney, Dr. Wynn Westeott romai'ked that ho had always retained weapons used by suicides. Some fifteen years or so ago ho gave the widow of a suicide a knife with which the .man had ended his life, and which she said valued. The . result of her possessing the knife was that she took her life with it. On another occasion, lie" gave a widow a fancy glass out of which her husband had drunk poison. She poisoned herself, using the same glass. All such.articles were now kept to prevent imitative suicide. STRIKERS LOSE A CASE. A foreman named Self and thirtythree compositors ami linotype operators were condemned in £6OO damages by a special jury in the King’s Dench Division in England recently, ill ail action arising from a trade dispute at the works of Messrs. J. G. Hammond and Co., Fleet lane. The damages were claimed for alleged breach of contract. The defendants, on the other hand, said they were wrongfully dismissed, 'and counterclaimed for payment for work done immediately prior to the alleged breach of contract. Mr. Dickens, K.C., for the plaintiffs, said in 1906 Messrs Hammond had in their employ both union and non-union men. The latter were prevailed upon to join the union by Mr. T. E. Naylor, secretary of the London Compositors’ Society, and when the plaintiffs declined to have any negotations with the society the men were 1 called upon to leave work at a moment’s notice. Not only did the men come out, declared Mr. Dickens, but they tampered with the machinery. His Lordship, summing up, observed that this was the first in which the trad© union in question had been brought into court since the recent legislation, which practically put the union in a position in which it could do no wrong. The jury, after an absence of twenty-five minutes, returned with a verdict for Messrs. Hammond for £6OO, and also Tor that firm on the counter-claim.

WHEN THE EYESIGHT FAILS. Ono of the most distressing cases related for. some tjme has just come to light in Timaru in the shape of the misfortunes of a man, his wife and three children (says the Christchurch “Press’) The father, a cabinet-ma-ker by trade, lost -the use of both eyes, some eight months ago, through a very simple accident. He was carrying a bath out of a room when the bath struck the lialf-elosed door, arid in some way his spectacles were broken and forced into his eyes. Previously,one eye was weak, and as a result of the accident he hid to have both eyes removed. This, of course, made it impossible for him to continue his trade, and as lie is a. mail of forty, it is unlikely that he will ever be able to earn anything. His wife .lias made a brave struggle to keep a home together and provide for the family by going oiit washing, but little’by' little the furniture has bid to go to .provide bare necessaries, until very little 16 left. They have managed, however, to save the sewing machine, though it has on many occasions served as .a security upon which to raise a few shillings. There are three children in the family. About Christinas time on one occasion there was not a crust of bread or a bit of coil in the house, and the family have had a terrible struggle for existence. They have lately been receiving some assistance from charitable friends. While the wife is away at work the liusbaml is helpless in his blindness, and'as he is unable to keep a fire, alight, he. suffers considerably from" the cold and rheumatism. The man was at one time a prominent' footballer in the North Island, and it has been suggested that the footballers of Timaru might give some assistance to so deserving a case.