JAPAN 10 6i 



Komura (b. 1853), whose political services to his country were crowned by his diplo- 

 macy in making peace with Russia, (E. B. xv, 892), died November 24, IQII. He was 

 created Marquis in 1910 in connection with the annexation of Korea. 



In 1912 Japan came to an understanding with Russia for defending the interests and 

 policy of both countries in Mongolia. The year was chiefly memorable however for the 

 death of the Emperor Mutso-Hito (b. 1852; d. July 3oth), under whom modern Japan 

 had been created (E. B. xix, 100); and for the dramatic suicide, on the occasion of the 

 Emperor's funeral, of General Count Maresuke Nogi (b. 1849; d. Sept. i3th), the hero 

 of Port Arthur and Mukden (E. B. xix, 733; xxiii, 926 et seq.}. 



In 1909 the Japanese Cabinet was formed as follows: Premier and Minister of 

 Finance, Marquis Gen. T. Katsura; Foreign Affairs, Count J. Komura; Home Depart- 

 ment, Baron Dr. T. Hirata; Justice, Viscount C. Okabe; Education, E. Komatsubara; 

 Agriculture and Commerce, Baron K. Oura; Navy, Baron Vice-Adm. M. Saito. This 

 Cabinet lasted until August 1911, when, in consequence of differences on financial policy, 

 Marquis Katsura resigned. Marquis K. Saionji then became Premier, the following 

 being the principal other Ministers: Foreign Affairs, Viscount Y. Uchida; Finance, 

 Tatsuo Yamamoto; Home Affairs, K. Hara; Justice, M. Matsuda; Agriculture and 

 Commerce, Baron S. Makura; Education, S. Haseba; Communications, Count T. 

 Hayashi; Army, Baron Y. Uehara; and Navy, Baron Saito. 



A Cabinet crisis occurred on December 2, 1912, by the resignation of the War Minis- 

 ter, Baron Uehara, as the result of his colleagues unanimously deciding, on grounds of 

 economy, against his scheme for establishing two military divisions in Korea. The 

 Prime Minister was faced with the difficulty that, under the regulations in force, the 

 head of the War Office had to be a soldier, and military opinion was entirely on Baron 

 Uehara's side. Being unable to find anyone to take the War Office in his place, on 

 December 4th the Marquis Saionji submitted- the resignation of the Cabinet to the 

 Emperor. The Council of Elder Statesmen met on December 6th, consisting of Marshal 

 Yamagata, Marshal Inouye, Marshal Oyama, and Prince Katsura, and recommended 

 the Emperor to send for Count Terauchi, the governor-general of Korea, to form a 

 government. The situation was however a new one in Japan, the struggle being definite- 

 ly between the military party, controlled by Marshal Yamagata, and the supporters of 

 a policy of retrenchment. Eventually, on December igth, a new Cabinet was formed 

 under Prince Katsura as Premier, with the following as his colleagues: Foreign Affairs, 

 Baron Kato; Home, Baron Oura; Communications, Baron Goto; Agriculture, M. 

 Nakashoji Ren; Finance, M. Wakatsuki Reijiro; Justice, M. Matsumuro; Education, M. 

 Shibata Kamod; Army, Lt.-Gen. Baron Kikoshi Yasutsuna; Navy, Baron Saito. 



Korea. 1 The Peninsula of Korea was annexed by the Japanese Government as a result 

 of the Russo-Japanese War. This annexation took place in August 1910, and a Governor- 

 General was appointed by the Japanese Government. In the 1910-11 Budget the total 

 revenue was 694,475 an d the expenditure 694,455. For 1911-12 the total revenue 

 amounted to 4,874,178. This revenue was devoted to road-construction to the extent of 

 1,024,275; to Customs Accommodation Works to the extent of 847,263; to railway con- 

 struction and improvement to the extent of 3,703,895, spread over a period of years. The 

 estimated revenue and expenditure for 1912-13 amounted to 5,289,220. The industrial 

 products of Korea include cotton and linen goods, coloured papers, earthenware, hides, wood 

 and bamboo work, metal work, etc. The staple industry is agriculture, the chief product 

 being rice, while wheat, barley, millet and beans are also produced. Cotton, tobacco, hemp 

 and ginseng are also cultivated and the raising of live-stock is carried out to a small extent. 

 The most important mineral products are gold, copper, iron, graphite and coal; the export 

 of gold amounting in 1910 to 921,848. The fishing industry, although carried on in a 

 primitive manner, is extensive, and the value of the annual catch reached in 1910 a total 

 of 819,420. The chief fish caught are cod, sardines, lobster, herring, salmon, mackerel, 

 whale, etc. The forests have an extent of about 12,500,000 acres, red-pine and other conifers 

 being the principal trees. The total foreign trade in 1910 had a value of 7,169,927 and in 

 1911 7,471,539. Imports were valued at 4,074,567 in 1910 and exports at 2,039,332; 

 in 1911 imports were valued at 5,540,068 and exports at 1,931,471. 



The chief railway is the Seoul- Wiju Railway, which is 309.9 miles in length. The con- 

 struction of a bridge over the Yalu, commenced in August 1909, was finished during 1912. 



1 See E. B, xv, 908 et seg. 



