The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-21
THE TROUBLE In COREA.

History of the A1air-Admirai Rodgers In
structed by the Navy Department to Punish
the Natives for the Massacre of Americans
In the Wrecked Ship General Sherman-The
War to Go On-Description of Coren and
the Corenns.
WASHINGTON. D. c., June %, 1871.
Five years ago the American ship General Sher-
man went ashore on the COrean coast. The crew
were captured and horribly treated and tortured
some being put in cages and carried around and ex-
nibited to the natives. One OF the men escaped and
reaching an American man-Ofwar detailed these
atrocities. Admiral Bell, then in command OF the
Aslatic squadron, sent the United States steamer
Shenandoah to the Corean coast 10 inquire into
the matter and demand redress. On approaching
the Corean coast the Shenandoah was fired OIL by
shore batteries, manned by large numbers OF
Coreans; but as her commander had no orders to
return the fire he lett and reported the
matter to Admiral Bell. Here the matter ended,
until Admiral Rowan in the Delaware, took com.
mand He left this country with orders 70 settle up
both the Formosa and Corean difficulties. When he
got the stauon he found that the FOrmosa matter
had been settled, and before proceeding against the
COreans the department sent word for him to await
further orders. No further orders were given him,
and when Admiral John Rodgers sailed IN the Colo.
RADIO 1t was understood he mad fu authority TO de-
mand redress from the Corean government, and If
was refused to chastise them to the extent OF his
aDlllty with THIS Ill veW ne carried In the n0ld or
the Colorado battery of field pieces, battery Of
Calling guns anu other means OF lighting on land,
having lull powers In the matter.
As the initial step taken by Admiral Rodgers has
excited considerable interest throughout the coun-
try and there VIII probably be other and greater
difficulties encountered before the question Is finally
settled, 1t may not be amiSS TO state something
about the country which our navy has undertaken
to chastlse.
Cvrea Is a kingdom on the eastern coast OF Asia,
northeast or China, comprising an area OF about
90 900 square miles and population numbering from
10000,000 to l20u0.O0O. Ii comprises peninsula 400
miles long and $50 miles broad The adjacent islands
and part OF the nelghbOring Continent Inc total
length OF the country from north TO south Is
what less than 600 miles, between latitude $500 and
43 north. The coast Is rugged and barren, and the
northern portion cold aud mountainous, but IN the
western part the climate Is more genial and the SOIL
more fertile.
The government Is despotic and though tributary
to China and Japan the freedom OF It's action is
640,oO0 men, ana the navy 800 vessels war junks)
carrying from ten 10 twenty guns each (old twenty
and thirty-p0unders). The political organization Is
similar to that Of China.
The archipelago Of COrea Is group OF small
Islands In the Yellow Sea, on the west coast OF the
peninsula OF Corea The islands are chiefly granite
and some OF them rising to q height Of 1000 feet
above the sea. The navigation In Corean waters Is
both difficult and dangerous, and comparatively
little is known Of the channels.
Considera lie anxiety Is felt to hear from Admiral
Rodgers as 1t was fully expected he would make
another attack upon the Coreans the day after the
date OF his last despatch TO the Navy DepaI tment
that the combined forces OF the European govern.
ments now on that station is not sufficient to meet
and punish the aggressive spirit exhibited by the
Coreans.