Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 5.djvu/68

 ally acquired a consciousness of being perpetually baffled, thwarted, and humiliated by China's interference in the peninsular kingdom's affairs.

To appreciate the bitterness of such conditions, it has to be remembered that for the previous thirty years China had treated Japan as a contemptible deserter from the Oriental standard, and had regarded her progressive efforts with openly disdainful aversion; while Japan, on her side, had chafed more and more to furnish some striking evidence of the wisdom of her preference for Western civilisation. In the breast of each nation there had been smouldering a sentiment of umbrage which could scarcely fail to be translated into hostile action sooner or later, unless either Japan reverted to conservatism or China became progressive.

Even more serious were the consequences of Chinese interference when considered from the point of view of Korean administration. The rulers of the little State lost all sense of national responsibility and gave unrestrained sway to selfish ambition. The functions of the judiciary and of the executive alike came to be discharged by bribery only. Family interests predominated over those of the State. Taxes were imposed in proportion to the greed of local officials. No thought whatever was taken for the welfare of the people or for the development of the country's resources. Among the upper classes faction struggles, among the lower, insurrections, began