New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18
THEY WANTED sELF-PROTECTIoM

IN point OF fact the Japanese merely desired In that
case to protect themselves and their people who were
engaged In trade with the Coreans; but the Chinese
could not see 1t In that light and they gradually found
the means Of making the japanese position almost
untenable, and at time they actually drove them
out of tho country. In order not to appear TO be act
ing I'm violently aggressive way, they secured the
service OF certain foreigners the first OF whom was
German named Mollendorf, who was in truth directly
sent to COrea by Ii Hung Chang, but who nominally
was engaged by the COrean Government Mr. Mol
lendorPs duty to control the action of Corca in
such a was supposed to be entirely In the
Chinese interest but this fact not allowed to be-
come known the general public. The result Of his
guardianship embroll the Japanese tue Corcans
and Chinese seriously that 1t became necessary
TO recall him TO China in apparent disgrace The
purpose of tho Chinese Government remained I'M
changed however, and 1t decided to select another
emissary to carry out the plans that had been inter-
rupted by Mr.. Mollendorfs excessive zeal
Mr. Denny was chosen in the expectation that he
would exercise greater caution and at the same time
accomplish al that the Chinese deemed requisite Mr.
Denny was formerly United States ConsulGencral at
Shanghai, and appointed by Ii Hung Chang to
serve foreign adviser In Corea in the belief that he
would be plant Chinese tool, az Mollendorf
had previously been Tho position was
one which no honorable man could
long maintain Mr. Denny was expected TO betray
every interest conded to him II II supposed to
conflict in the slightest degree with Chinas scheme
OF dominant authority On several occasions no
demonstrated against the restrictions which were pre-
pared for his guidance but his protests were I'M
avaing in every instance, he gradually dsregarded
the orders of his superiors and followed the course
which he honestly believed to be for the welfare OF
all concerned He is now to be sacrificed and Will
probably DO replaced by less scrupulous agent OF
Chinas intrigue"
In response to request by the reporter that Mr..
House would vouchsafe moro detailed account Of the
origin Of tho trouble. he said that twelve years ago
the japanese Government found 1T necessary to send
commissioners to Corca and to negotiate treaty
From that time they had diplomatic representative
stationed at the Corean Capital, Seoul China was
very much lrriated at this, but having consented to
the intercourse could take any open objection
so the Chinese sent Minister to Seoul aiso and
with him an escort of two or three thousand men,
quite a little army. That freely understood to
be a covert movement against the japanese Influence
and tho Japanese Government then sent small
escort of less than 900 to take care OF their
legation There was continual trouble. The japanese
exercised due caution, but 10 without avail About
five years ago there very serious riot The
japanese were attacked and their legation burned
down. and they had to fight their way to the coast
Many OF them killed. II was entirely Chinese
assault but In the usual way the Chinese dsclaImed
all responsibility, and the Japanese were compelled
TO exact retrfbution from Corea.