The situation in Corea has throughout the week continued to
look threatening. The Japanese have already some ten thousand men in the Peninsula, and have chartered sixteen steamers from English owners to convey a still larger force. The Japanese Minister, however, has informed a Reuter representative that Japan in no way desires to inter- fere with China, and has never requested her to withdraw her troops. The Japanese troops will remain till order is restored. China, as yet, says nothing, and appears hardly aware of what is going on, but her infinite power of resistance and of getting her own way remains unimpaired. The tortoise is a slow animal, but in the words of the American song, she "gets there just the same." Meantime the Press Association announces that on Thursday Lord Kimberley "proffered the good offices of Great Britain with a view to a settlement of the dispute between China and Japan in Corea,. Japan has accepted this offer, and there is every reason to believe that China will do the same." If China and Japan have in effect asked us to take action, all is well. If not, it is a most momentous step, and may have very grave consequences. What is to happen if we decide in favour of Japan, and China refuses to be bound by the decision P Are we in that case bound to support Japan P
