In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

31. Japanese Endeavor to Establish Relations with Korea About this time, Russia also sent an envoy who arrived at Wŏnsan and asked our government for a trade agreement, but it was denied . Under the growing pressure of the Western nations’ power, public opinion had become divided. Then Japan sent an envoy who came to Tongnae42 and asked for a trade agreement in these words: As Japan surveys the world situation, now that it has established relations with foreign countries, it is clearly aware that it cannot remain isolated as it has been in the past, and that it has no choice but to maintain relationships [with other nations]. It is also aware that such relationships require a wholesale change of politics and custom and that without emulating the new ways, it cannot remain viable. Therefore , officials and the people alike are dedicated to emulating the Western ways, and the effects of the steady enlightenment process are considerable. It is strongly advised that your country, too, strive for wealth and strength by establishing contacts with other countries as we [ Japan] have. The mayor of Tongnae was prevailed upon to forward this letter to the government, which, however, rejected it, saying: “Our country will not accept a letter like this. It should be returned to the envoy who should be promptly expelled.” The Japanese envoy had to leave. The Japanese government made another attempt to negotiate, again without success. In 1870 [sic; 1872], Hanabusa Yoshitada43 tried one more time, also in vain. Later, in September of 1875, two Japanese warships stopped near Kanghwa [Island] on their way from Chefoo, China, to obtain drinking water. The people in the area mistook them for French or American forces and launched a fierce attack with a fusillade. The Japanese troops 159 159 became outraged, landed, threatened the local inhabitants, and set fire to the village before returning to Nagasaki to report [the incident]. At this time, there were divided views within the Japanese government ; some wanted to attack Korea while others considered it unwise. Saigō Takamori became the leader of the Satsuma clique and advocated a prompt assault. He even raised an army to pressure the government, which, however, countered: “It is very easy to defeat Korea by dispatching troops now. But there will be trouble after the victory. With our power today, we cannot settle the trouble. It is not to our advantage to attack and win. We should begin now to build up our forces and prepare for the day we will act. [In the meantime,] we should provide friendly advice to Korea. If Korea accepts our advice, we shall be united and cooperate in stemming the Western inroads, and that will be on the whole a perfect strategy. If Korea rejects our advice, it will not be too late for raising a force and attacking.” Saigō Takamori’s plans were thus rejected. Saigō then raised a large force to oust the government [leaders] and carry out his own plans. A big war ensued, lasting a total of seven years [sic; actually seven months in 1877] and costing more than twenty thousand lives and about 20 million yen. In the end, Saigō lost and the party that had advocated peace won. Korea was spared a major war to the bene- fit of both countries. It is not certain if someone in our government knew of the critical situation facing them; as for the people, they knew nothing and they were asleep. If there had been a war, it would have been the first major war since the year of Imjin (1592), and there is no telling how much damage our country might have suffered. It may be said that Saigō’s idea was absurd , for it assumed that an old nation of five thousand years was like a no-man’s land, and it was so certain that [ Japan] would not suffer any setback. That the Japanese government did not follow his proposal was a sign that it had a clear vision of a long-range strategy. The people of our country should be profoundly grateful to [ Japan’s] attempt to help awaken, as much as possible, a neighboring nation that was still in the dark, and to cooperate in preserving its integrity. 160 The Spirit of Independence ...

Share