Mr. Griscom to Mr. Hay.

No. 60.]

Sir: Since my last dispatch in relation to the general political situation, the principal event of importance has been the signature, on the 23d ultimo, of a protocol between Japan and Korea. * * * A copy of the protocol was handed to me by the minister for foreign affairs on the 25th ultimo, but as he informed me that it had been telegraphed in full to the Japanese minister in Washington I refrain from telegraphing it to you.

The intentions of the Japanese Government with regard to Korea seem to be clearly expressed in this protocol, and all my information leads me to believe that it has every intention of respecting the integrity of the Korean Empire. As the question is so largely dependent on the outcome of the war, any speculation as to the future course of Japan would seem to have but little value. However, I think it may be said that if the matter is ultimately left to the decision of the Japanese Government the Empire of Korea will remain intact, although its administration would continue to be under the close Japanese supervision which has already begun.

Marquis Ito has been sent to Seoul as a special ambassador from the Court of Japan to the Korean Emperor and left here on the 13th instant. In order to ascertain the exact nature of his mission I made inquiry of Baron Komura and was informed that it had no political character whatever. Marquis Ito represents the Japanese Court, not the government, and he is not in possession of full powers. He is the bearer of a friendly message from one Emperor to the other and will remain in Seoul but a week.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

Lloyd C. Griscom.