When we think of the enormous appreciation of land values all along the line we feel as if Koreans ought to inaugurate a campaign of education, to make their countrymen aware of this enhancement of value and to urge them to make the most of it rather than sell to the first bidder who offers them a ten per cent rise upon the original value of the land. If a bag of rice formerly cost nearly its full original value to get it to market, while now it will cost only a few cents to do so, it is plain that farm land has nearly if not quite doubled in value. But there are other factors at work as well, which enhance the value of land, and unless the Korean is apprised of this he is likely to sell for much less than his land is worth.
Whatever sentimental notions one may have about the Koreans it is quite certain that the Japanese have come here to stay and they come with money, ready to buy liberally. One of the most important problems in sight, therefore, is that of the future of those Koreans who elect to sell their fields. They are not accustomed to handle large sums of money and it looks as if there would be considerable danger of their suffering loss. Koreans should be exhorted to hold on to their property at least until they have clearly decided what to do next.
The Koreans will have to learn by hard experience just as the Japanese themselves did between 1868 and 1880. The stories that are told of old worn-out steam-ships sold to the Japanese at high figures in those days would fill a small volume. The Korean must also learn by his failures. We believe that in this school he will develop a fair degree of ability to take care of himself. It will take time and there will be many unpleasant experiences in the process, but it is certain that he is now “up against” a genuine business proposition and unless he can bring to bear upon the situation a keenness and an energy proportionate to that of the Japanese he will go to the wall.
All we ask is that the Korean be given a fair chance. If he is given an opportunity to obtain redress in case he is treated in an illegal manner the rest may safely be left to his native genius. But what he surely should receive from the Japanese is a “square deal.” If this is denied him of course he will have nothing left but to succumb or rebel.
In spite of many cases of injustice which have been reported we still believe that as soon as the war is over Japan will put forth strenuous and successful efforts to govern the unruly element among her nationals in Korea. She may proclaim a protectorate over the country and temporarily impair its independence. This will be contrary to her express promises but there will be no one to make a successful protest and it may be that in time events will so shape themselves that Korea may again be given an autonomous position. Meanwhile there are important lessons of industry and thrift for the Korean to learn and upon his success in learning them will depend in large part the recovery of his political autonomy.
Editorial Comment.
The great event of the month has been the crowning victory of the Japanese over the Russian fleet. The details of the fight are now at hand and enough is known to demonstrate that the Russian fleet was a mere man of straw, to be blown over by the first wind. When we think of the tons of printers ink that have been expended upon a minute description of every movement of this doomed armada from the time it left the Baltic Sea until it was swept away like a mere cob-web by the Japanese navy there seems to be a grim humor about the whole thing. It was a tragic comedy! The thought of the doomed men who went down in this forlorn hope is inexpressibly sad. They were trying to do their duty as they saw it; but when we look at this event as a war measure and see how totally the Russians misconceived of the prowess and the skill of the Japanese we can only say that Russia is lacking in the first essential of war—a knowledge of the forces that she must contend against.
The Japanese command of the sea is now assured so far as Russia is concerned and this will put an end to all speculation as to whether Japan will be permitted to carry out her plans in Korea unmolested. This is a severe disappointment to many Koreans but it may prove best for the peninsula after all. After the strain and stress of war has been removed and the Japanese authorities have time to examine the Korean question in all its bearings, it is reasonable to hope that they will see fit to arrange for the proper jurisdiction of their people in this country. In spite of the views of some extremists we believe that affairs may be so arranged here that the latter state of Korea and of Koreans will be better than the former one.
We see from the Times of London that Dr. Morrison’s recent brief visit to Korea led him to make such optimistic statements, that that influential periodical judges Japan’s work in Korea to be superior to the work of England in Egypt. But we would like to inquire what Japan has done for the common people of Korea that is any way comparable with England’s work for the Fellahin of Egypt. We would not for a moment disparage the splendid work that Japan has done along the line of railway construction and of general trade in Korea but when anyone reports the condition of affairs here in such terms that England’s peaceful achievement’s in Egypt and India seem to be thrown into the shade, then we are compelled to interpose a decided negative. Are the people of Egypt governed better than before the English occupation? Incomparably better. But the Koreans are governed no better than before, if as well. The great public works put through solely for the benefit of the people of Egypt have absolutely no counterpart whatever in this country. The railway was a war measure which will benefit the people of Korea, but such help was a secondary consideration entirely.