the summer of 1907, when he was forced to abdicate and his son enthroned in his stead.
In this sketch it is not possible for me to trace all the events which led up to the beginning of the final conflict which resulted in Japan's complete victory over Russia and opened up the way for her to take full control of Korea. I must not close without giving a few of the leading facts for the benefit of those who will not take the time to read the entire history. Those who wish to make a further study of the facts will do well to read Professor Hulbert's "Passing of Korea."
The first gun was fired and the first battle fought in the harbor of Chemulpo on February 9, 1903. The Japanese had won and were now moving north with a large land force, when the night of the 23d of the same month saw the signing of a protocol between Japan and Korea which at once swept from Korea all claims to neutrality which she had loudly proclaimed. Again I quote from Professor Hulbert: "Korea granted the Japanese the right to use Korea as a road to Manchuria, and engaged to give them every possible facility for prosecuting the war. On the other hand, Japan guaranteed the independence of Korea and the safety of the imperial family. It is needless to discuss the degree of spontaneity with which Korea did this. It was a case of necessity; but if rightly used, it might have proved of immense benefit to Korea, as it surely did to Japan."
After the close of the war, it became quite evident that Japan was not going to consider herself bound to
