Some observers supposed that Japan, having all the substance of
power in Korea, would not trouble to insist on 'annexation. We do not think, however, that objection can reasonably be taken to a nation's insisting on the reality of facts and regularising -her position. It will be remembered that it was China's attempt to occupy Korea which led to the Chino-Japanese War; and. scaraely had China been compelled to abandon her pretensions when Russia took her place as the menacing Power and compelled Japan to enter on the Russo-Japanese War. In 1904 Japan signed a Treaty with Korea by which the latter put her internal affairs under Japanese control. The next year even the external relations of Korea came under Japanese officials, and Marquis Ito became the real ruler of the country as Resident-General. He was so much hindered in his administration by the Korean Court that in 1907 the Emperor was forced to abdicate, and his son was proclaimed in his stead as a more amenable person. Since 1907 Japan has governed Korea as though it were a piece of Japan. Could any one doubt how such a series of events would end ?
