But the theory as to the equal consolidation itself was clearly different from that of Japan's annexation of Korea (Korea is supposed to depend on Japan and be colonized abandonning their sovereignty), rather, taking into account the fact that Japan cut off even Isshinkai as a worn-out after the annexation and launched the colonial domination, many of the researchers also have a sympathy that 'Isshinkai is also one of victims and what they did is not necessarily accusable'.
しかし、対等合併論自体は日本の朝鮮併合論（朝鮮が日本に従属し、主権を放棄する形で植民地となる。）とは明らかに異なり、寧ろ併合後の日本が一進会すらも用済みとして切捨て、植民地統治を開始したことを踏まえて、「一進会もまた犠牲者であり、必ずしも責められるべき点ばかりではなかった」とする同情的意見も強い。