ART. II. The laborers mentioned in Article I of the same law shall be men engaged in labor in agricultural, fishing, mining, civil engineering, architectural, manufacturing, transporting, carting, stevedoring, and other miscellaneous work. Provided that this rule is not applicable to those who are employed in household services, such as cooking and waiting. ART. III. Permission given to laborers (to reside in the interior) may be canceled by a local governor when he deems it necessary to do so for the public welfare. File No. 7423/31-32. No. 447.] Chargé Dodge to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN EMBASSY, Tokyo, October 12, 1907. SIR: Referring to my dispatch No. 406 of September 12 last, I have the honor to inclose to you herewith a clipping from the Kobe Chronicle of the 4th instant, reporting a further case of expulsion of Chinese workmen. It appears from this article that the workmen in question are not coolies, but skilled artisans, engine builders, and fitters employed by Messrs. C. Nickel & Co. near Kobe, and that the ground for their expulsion is because "the importation of Chinese laborers was contrary to the provisions of imperial ordinance No. 352 of 1899." I immediately requested our consul at Kobe to ascertain the facts of this case, and I have received a reply from him stating that he made inquiry at the Chinese consulate in Kobe and was informed that the facts as stated in the Chronicle's article are correct. The Chinese consul has now referred the matter to the Chinese legation here. It will be noted that apparently permission had not been requested for these workmen in accordance with the ordinance mentioned, perhaps, as suggested in the article, because as skilled laborers they were not thought to be within the term "laborers" as used in the ordinance. I have, etc., H. PERCIVAL DODGE. [Inclosure.] [From the Kobe Chronicle of October 4, 1907.] CHINESE LABOR IN JAPAN-AN IMPORTANT POINT. The latest development of the Chinese labor question in Japan, reported in yesterday's issue, whereby a number of Chinese employed by Messrs. C. Nickel & Co. at their yard at Takahama, near Kobe, have been ordered to be deported, raises an interesting and important point. On inquiry at Messrs. Nickel's offices yesterday, it was learned that the 14 Chinese in question are not coolies, nor even ordinary laborers, but are skilled workmen, engine builders and fitters, earnings 1.50 yen each per day without overtime. Their labor is more expensive than Japanese, but is more reliable and thorough, and they are regarded as altogether better workmen. Soon after the Chinese had started work at the Takahama yard, Messrs. Nickel were informed by the police that the importation of Chinese laborers was contrary to the provisions of imperial ordinance No. 352 of 1899, and that the Chinese must be sent back to China. Messrs. Nickel appealed to Governor Hattori, who referred them to Mr. Uchimura, the chief of police. Several interviews took place between this official and representatives of the firm, but no settlement could be arrived at other than the deportation of the Chinese. The authorities were asked if the Chinese could remain if arrangements were made for them to live in Kobe, and travel up and down the line to work every day, but the reply was in the negative. It is contended by Messrs. Nickel & Co. that the Chinese employed by them at Takahama do not come under the heading of "laborers," as laid down in the ordinance, seeing that they are all skilled men. We believe that the Chinese consul at Kobe also takes this view, and contends, moreover, that the Chinese are entitled to treatment under the most-favored-nation clause. An appeal has been made to Tokyo, we understand, by the Chinese consul at Kobe, and pending developments the Chinese workmen at Takahama are having a holiday at their employers' expense. It certainly seems an anomaly that Chinese tailors, painters, printers, etc., may follow their avocations without interference in Kobe, and some even beyond the city limits at Rokkosan, for instance-and yet these men at Takahama are refused permission to work. If the Japanese authorities do not show more toleration to the stranger within their gates, they have scarcely right to expect it from others when the positions are reversed. File No. 1166/3-13. No. 131.] AFFAIRS IN KOREA. Ambassador Wright to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN EMBASSY, Tokyo, December 26, 1906. SIR: I have the honor to inclose to you herewith an English translation in duplicate of a convention dated October 19 last between Japan and Korea with reference to the joint exploiting by these Governments of the forests and valleys of the Yalu and the Tumen. This translation appeared in the Japan Daily Mail of the 14th instant, and I have since ascertained from the foreign office that it is entirely correct. I also have the honor to inclose a number of clippings, all in duplicate, in regard to Korea. Among these I may invite attention to the clippings giving the official English translation of the new placer mining law in Korea and of the regulations for its enforcement. Of interest is also the editorial from the Japan Times of the 12th instant in regard to the recent visit to Tokyo of the Korean special envoy, H. R. H. Prince Chiyong. It will be seen that various reforms are said to be in progress in Korea, such as the separation of the court from the government administration proper and the foundation of the Korean Economic Association, and that measures are being considered to secure greater safety for life and property as well as for financial reform and for public works. I have, etc., LUKE E. WRIGHT. File No. 1166. [Inclosure. Translation.] JAPAN-KOREA LUMBER CONVENTION. ARTICLE I. Forests in the region of the Yalu and the Tumen shall be exploited by the Governments of Japan and Korea jointly. ART. II. The capital to be employed for the exploitation of said forests is fixed at 1,200,000 yen, of which each Government shall contribute 600,000 yen. a Not printed. ART. III. A special account shall be established for the work of exploitation of said forests as well as for the receipts and expenditures connected with such exploitation. A statement of said account shall be submitted to the two Governments annually. ART. IV. All profits and losses connected with the exploitation shall be divided between the two Governments according to the amount of their respective contribution. ART. V. In case any increase in the amount of the contribution provided in Article II is found necessary, it shall be arranged by mutual consent of the two Governments. ART. VI. In case detailed provisions are found necessary in the execution of this agreement, such provisions shall be determined by delegates to be appointed by the two Governments. ART. VII. In case it is found necessary, in the course of exploitation, to organize a company so as to enable the subjects of Japan and Korea to join in the undertaking, the two Governments shall determine by common accord the means to be adopted to effect such organization. Done at Seoul, this 19th day of October, 1906. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith translation of a law recently promulgated relating to the forestry enterprise in Korea on the banks of the Yalu and Tumen rivers. According to the text of this law the capital for the enterprise in question is to be 1,200,000 yen, one-half of which is to be furnished by the Korean Government. The Japanese Government, however, may supply, if necessary, from its general funds the amount to be received from the Korean Government. The profit and loss of the enterprise for each fiscal year are to be shared by the Japanese and Korean Governments in proportion to the amount of capital furnished by each, respectively, I also inclose extracts from the Seoul Press relating to the plans of the Japanese Government for the development of forestry in Korea. It appears that nine model forests are to be established 'during the next five or six years in the neighborhood of Seoul, Pingyang, and Taiku, at an expense of some 300,000 yen. Private enterprise in the way of developing forests will also be encouraged by various methods, and in order that the necessary technical experts may be trained among the Korean officials a school of agriculture and forestry was established in September of last year. I have, etc., LUKE E. WRIGHT. a Not printed. [Inclosure.-Translation.] [Official Gazette, March 29, 1907.] We hereby sanction and cause to be promulgated the law of the special account of forestry enterprise in Korea, which has received the approval of the Imperial Diet. THE LAW OF SPECIAL ACCOUNT OF FORESTRY ENTERPRISE IN KOREA. ARTICLE I. A special account shall be established for the purpose of carrying on forestry enterprise along the banks of the Yalu River and the Tumen River, and the proceeds of the said enterprise shall be applied to the disbursements of the same. ART. II. The capital of the special account of forestry enterprise in Korea shall be 1,200,000 yen of which one-half shall be furnished by the Korean Government. The capital mentioned in the preceding paragraph may, if necessary, be transferred as needed from the general finances (of the Japanese Government) or be received from the Korean Government, but equipment used for the enterprise may be put up as the portion of capital to be supplied by either Government. ART. III. The profit and loss of the enterprise for each fiscal year shall be shared by the general finances (of the Japanese Government) and by the Korean Government, according to their respective amounts of capital furnished as in the preceding article. ART. IV. The Government shall every year draw up the estimates of the income and expenditure of the special account of forestry enterprise in Korea and submit the same to the Imperial Diet together with the general budget. ART. V. The estimates of each fiscal year shall contain a reserve fund in order to respond to the call of any calamity, emergency or unexpected deficit. ART. VI. The enterprise of the general account may, according to circumstances, be entrusted to a corporation the object of which is to carry on forestry enterprise. ART. VII. The provisions relating to the receipts and disbursements of the present account are to be determined separately by an imperial ordinance. SUPPLEMENTARY CLAUSE. This law shall take effect on April 1, 1907. File No. 1166/41-45. No. 237.] Ambassador Wright to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN EMBASSY, SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith an account of an important speech delivered by Marquis Ito at a meeting of the Economic Society held at the Japanese Club in Seoul on the 17th instant. The gist of the Marquis's remarks is that Japan owes her present high place in the estimation of the world not alone to her military prowess, but equally to the discovery that Japan's actions are not guided solely by selfish motives. She had fought for the independ • Not printed. ence of Korea and for the principle of the open door and equal opportunity in Manchuria. By doing so she had incurred the responsibility before the world of adhering strictly to the principles defended by her in Manchuria and, in her dealings with Korea, of consulting the interests of the Korean and of other foreign nations as well as her own. He welcomed the expression of unbiased and independent views of trained observers as to how he might best discharge his duty toward the Korean people, and to that end he had invited Professor Ladd to visit Korea as his guest. Professor Ladd emphasized the necessity of viewing economic and political questions from an ethical standpoint. I have, etc., LUKE E. WRIGHT. File No. 1166/79-80. The Japanese Ambassador to the Secretary of State. No. 51.] JAPANESE EMBASSY, Washington, July 26, 1907. SIR: In pursuance of instructions received from the Imperial Government of Japan, I have the honor to announce to the Government of the United States the conclusion of a new agreement between the Governments of Japan and Korea, a translation of which I beg to inclose herewith. For your reference I may add that Article I of the protocol between Japan and Korea, signed on August 22, 1904—this article abrogated by the agreement now concluded-reads as follows: The Korean Government shall engage as financial adviser to the Korean Government a Japanese subject recommended by the Japanese Government, and all matters concerning finance shall be dealt with upon his counsel being taken. Accept, VISCOUNT S. AOKI. [Inclosure. Translation.] IMPERIAL JAPANESE EMBASSY, Washington. Agreement between Japan and Korea, signed at Seoul, July 24, 1907. The Government of Japan and the Government of Korea, being animated by the desire to attain speedy development of the strength and resources of Korea and to promote the welfare of her people, have, with that object in view, agreed upon the following stipulations: ARTICLE I. The Government of Korea shall act under the guidance of the resident-general in respect to reforms in administration. ART. II. The Government of Korea engage not to enact any laws, ordinances, regulations, nor to take any important measures of administration without the previous assent of the resident-general. ART. III. Judicial affairs in Korea shall be set apart from the affairs of ordinary administration. ART. IV. The appointment and dismissal of all the high officials in Korea shall be made with the concurrence of the resident-general. |