The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1894. CHINA AND JAPAN.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 188, 13 August 1894, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald . with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1894. CHINA AND JAPAN.

The war between China and Japan, the two chief Asiatic Powers, may lead to possibilities affecting the peace of the world. Corea, which is described as a beautifully wooded territory of 90,000 square miles, is the bone of contention. Since the eleventh century China has exacted implicit recognition from Corea as her territory. A Manchu army invaded Corea in 1G37, and dictated terms which continue to govern its relation with China to-day and imposed an annual tribute of a specified number of Ivoku of rice as an outward sign of acknowledgment of her sovereignty, but practically the lethargic Chow has permitted Corea to manage her own affairs. In 1876 the Japanese and Coreans concluded a treaty and arranged for the interchange of ambassadors and consuls and the opening of Gensau and Tusan as trading ports. Japan has make good use of her privilege, and the whole external trade of Corea is almost exclusively with Japan, while the number of Japanese residents in Corea was in 1892 estimated at 25,000. In 1882 Corea, acting as an independent power, accepted intercourse and made treaties with Great Britain, G rmany, United States, France, Russia and Italy, while in the same year China herself entered into a treaty with the Coreans as to the trade regulations on the common frontier, and it is a question whether China did not waive her Suzerain rights when she allowed these treaties to bo entered into without comment. By an old treaty Japan is debarred from sendin * troops to Corea without the consent of China, and the Suzerain rights -nhich the latter power claims involves the responsibility of China for any violation of Japanese rights in Corea. For some time past anarchy lias reigned in Corea, the native Government has been incapable of maintaining order or defending the lives and property of foreigners. On the 25th .May last a

tight took place at Konan between rebels and Government soldiers, the 1 latter being worsted, and maintained I themselves by looting the inhabitants, I native and foreign. The Japanese were the principal suflVrers through ! this disorderly state, of affairs, and the ! Government of China exhibited extreme indifference in the matter. The Japanese, impatient with the attitude of China, took action itself and sent a j man-of-war to each of the ports of Tns.vn and Uanyowan. The Chinks now showod some interest, and the despatch of troops by both Powers has been followed by a declaration of war, I which may involve the peace of the world. It i 3 to Russia we may look for any surprises. True, the European Powers interested in Corea have agreed to observe neutrality, but it is a wellknown fact that it has been foryearsltussia’s ambition to secure a port within the temperate zone which could be made the basis of naval and military operations, and Russia’s chief desire is to secure t he harbor of Tus&n, which would at once afford a winter harbor for her warships and within short steaming distance of every part of the Pacific Ocean. It may be that Russia is fomenting the quarrel between those two Asiatic powers with ulterior motives, at any rate her attitude will be carefully watched. The light is a very unequal one, for China shows supremacy in men and material. In 1898 the number of warships of nil classes owned by China was 101 as against 80 possessed by Japan: the Chinese army consists of 188,000 regulars and 1,200,000 irregulars, while Japan enn only show a total war strength of 110,212 regulars and 178,100 of a reserve force. So far the Japanese appear to have had more victories than reverses, and it; may he that China will bo laughf a lesson by the progressive Japs. Put what about Corea, the bone over which the dogs .snarl and quarrel. It will be to Corean interest to be mopped up by some other nation, and if Japan secured the supremacy the cause of eastern civilisation would receive an impetus, me;.' mi than under Chine .e administration. Great Prilain’s interest lies in preventiu •; Russia ;.vur Japan secures the control of rh • II known; it hni npwritten history. Tb ■ population is estimated at 10,000 000, and the Coreanm are poor, unclean, and effeminate. The moral tone in very l w, ;ind women are not legally responsible for tin ii Motions. Ail ci lor worship is the principal religion. Thu King ha > attempted many reforms,

providing funds from his own private purse, but these efforts, while costing a fortune, have been a dismal failure. It will be a gain all round if Japan secures the supremacy.