MURDER OF THE QUEEN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4299, 3 August 1921, Page 4

MURDER OF THE QUEEN.

The Japanese then killed and burned the Queen, took the King prisoner, and placed the old proJapanese Regent in power. Then all the great Powers began to take in interest in the fortunes of Korea, Russia and Japan taking the lead, first one and then the other being’ paramount. At this period Korea became favourable to the missionaries, and begged American aid. Schools, hospitals, and missions were started, •and the missionaries met with wonderful success, exerting a profound influence upon the people. But the’ King was weak, and the Government corrupt; indeed it is mainly to the weakness and corruption of her old national administration that Korea owes the loss of her independence. The opening of the Twentieth Century found Japan and Russia struggling for the mastery of the East. Russia’s actions in the East —the drunken orgies of her officers and officials, and her attempts to keep out other traders from Manchuria, had impressed England and America unfavourably, and in 1902 Japan secured an alliance with England which recognised amongst other things, the entire independence of Korea, and abstinence from interfering in her in-' ternal affairs. Then Japan began to make great naval and military preparations. Russia disregarded England and America; Japan placated them. Then as soon as her preparations were completed, the latter Power made impossible demands ©n Russia, and drew her into the war of 1904, declaring that her purpose was,, to maintain the independence and teritorial integrity of Korea, and the policy of the open door. In the same year Korea agreed, under pressure, to engage Japanese financial and diplomatic advisers. At first the Japanese treated the Koreans well and were much liked, but as victory after victory followed their arms they began to act in a tyrannical and cruel manner. They seized the administration and exercised the powers of Government. The Russians had given great offence by meddling with the Korean women, but now 20,000 Japanese coolies came in, outraging, robbing, and murdering with impunity.' Vast tracts of country were taken up in the excuse of paltry payments. The British and American representatives protesting, the Japanese got them recalled —surely a disgrace to their respective Governments. By 1905 it was clear that notwithstanding all her protestations Japan intended to annex Korea in her own dominions. America had engaged in the treaty of 1882 to assist Korea, but in Korea’s hour of need failed her. In 1907 the Japanese made a great show of forcing Seoul and compelled the King to sign a treaty ceding the powers of Government to Japan, subsesquently deposing the King and setting up his so. It was again declared, however, that Japan had no intention to annex the country. But in 1910 all disguise was thrown off, arid Korea formally annexed to the Japanese Empire by decree of the Emperor. The results of the annexation I shall describe in my next article.