KOREA AND JAPAN.

Feilding Star, Issue 325, 24 July 1907, Page 2

KOREA AND JAPAN.

(bt blbctbio tblbgraph— coftbight.2 [pbb pbbßß association.] Seoul, July 23. The Palace plot led to the arrest of the elder Statesmen, who appointed the Minister of the Imperial Household, also Tithoboi, Chief Chamberlain, and four officers, on suspicion of having incited the riot., The Emperor persuaded his son, who is weakening, to refuse to sign the Government proclamation, urging the people to preserve order. The late Emperor ia actively intriguing to inflame the Korean troops. Politicians distrust each other, and public disaffection is spreading throughout the peninsula. Every Japanese soldier is needed to guard the barracks, where most of the Korean troops are interned, consequently it is impossible adequately to guard the foreign quarters in Seoul. Japanese reinforcements are expected on Wednesday, and it is reported that three Japanese cruisers are expected at Chemulpo. [M. Izvolsky, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, hinted before the Budget Committee of the Douma that more cordial relations between Russia and Japan are probable. He said: "The Portsmouth Treaty was first regarded here as a mere armistice. It ' was believed that both Russia and Japan would seek for revenge and prepare to renew the conflict. . Opinion has now changed radically, and, in addition to a commercial arrangement between the two countries whioh will promote trade and industry, a stall closer rapproachement to Japan is possible, more particularly as the same tendency is noticeable in connection with the relations of France and Japan."]