The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-30
OUR INTERESTS IN COREA.
A Crisis Has Probably Come to the King
dOm's international Relations.

A Crisis Has Probably Come to the King
dom's international Relations.
Washington Special.
The departure of the Corean minister for his
home, although primarily due to i'll health, and
not accompanied by the formal withdrawal of
the mission, which remains in charge of its
American member. may prove to have some
thing mere than a personal significance. in view
of what is going on at Seoul. The removal Of
Judge Denny, the American, from the impor-
taut post he has long held as adviser of the King
Of Corea has been demanded by China. Accord
ing to one report this demand has been
complied with, while another represents that
LII Hung Chang has retorted with q request for
the withdrawal of Yuen Su Kwai, the Chinese
resident at his capital. The latter officer has
long been hostile to the policy pursued by
Denny as foreign adviser. which has certainly
not been in Chinese interest; it Is even alleged,
on grounds somewhat vague, that the Chinese
resident has stirred I'D popular prejudice
against the reignine dynasty on the ground OF
its surrepdering Chosen, as the natives call
their country, to foreign guidance.
At all events, Corea now seems to have
reached a stage in her career on whose issue
her political future will depend. The influence
of the Americans, who have acquired a stronger
and stronger foothold ever since the United
States concluded a commercial treaty with
Corea in 1882. has been thrown In favor OK the
comrlete independence of the country. AL
though tributary to the Middle Kingdom for
generations, the vassalage of the peninsula has
been little more than nominal, its specified
displays being confined to sending an embas-
sador once a year TO Pekin and notifying the
imperial government of the accession Of q new
sovereign. The American advisers of the King.
however. seemed to have resented even this
formal show OF allegiance, end to have urged q
declaration OF complete autonomy. A con-
spicuous step taken for that purpose was the
dispatch Of the present embassy TO Washington,
in a way designed to give the impression to the
world that it was a sovereign act on Coreais
part, Invested Of any consent OF China. Hence
the latter made public a document purportiug
10 come from the King Of Corea. and asking
China's consent to send out the embassy, while
acknowledging vassslage in the customary
fowery phrases of Oriental diplomacy. On its
arrival st Washington, however. the embassy
was presented with what seemed to be a
studious ignoring Of Chinese relations to il.
While these general influences have been at
work TO excite Chinese discomfort, two recent
matters have brought the dissatisfaction to q
head. One is the charge. traced apparently 10
Judge Denny, that Chinese authorities had
been countenenciug a plot 10 stir up a riot at
Seoul, during which the troops called In TO
preserve order should kidnap or kill the King,
while the sovereign power should be trans
ferred to q relative who would be O mere tool
in Chinese hands. II may be that
at the last session Of Congress Senator Mitchell
mentioned this charge. making IL the occasion
for q call upon tho Secretary OF State for all
documents received from our Minister at Seoul,
Hugh A Dinemore, bearing on the relations OF
China and Corea- Judge Denny il from Oregon.
Senator Mitcheils State, and the source OF the
information is apparent. 1t Was impossible
that with the previous causes of complaint,
crowned by this, China should rot try to pro-
cure the removal of Judge Denny. whatever the
facts about the alleged plot.
There has been a still more recent cause OK
complaint. A short time ago IL was announced
that Russia had succeeded in making q treaty
with Corea for spscial commercial privileges