The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-17
THE CoREAN IMBRoGLIO.

We made no comment on the story that
Admiral Belknap had interviewed actively
in the recent turmoil in C0rea, because we
felt certain that the Admiral has far too
much sense to do anything OF the kind.
What it will turn out that he did is what
every naval captain does when riot occurs
at Southland few files of marines to
protect the foreign embassies.
The position of the Hermit Kingdom is
peculiar. 1t is eight years since the King
made treaty with Admiral Schufeldt con-
ceding to Americans the right of living In
Corea, and embarking in business there.
This was unpopular among the rabble OF
the capital, and they rose in instruction,
murdered the Queen, drove out the foreign
Ministers and overthrow the Government
Anarchy prevailed for several months, I'M
til Chinese army of 1000 marched into
Seoul, restored the King, and enabled the
foreign Ministers, who had taken refuge on
board q British man-of-war at Chemuipo,
TO return to their posts. In order 10 pre-
vent a recurrence of riOting, the King re-
tanned in his service force of Chinese and
japanese. who guarded his person and the
public offices. This eXpedient which was
obviously n temporary device, averted dis
turbance for a couple of years. In 1854 the
Chinese and Japanese troops quarreled and
fought, and the King had to get rid of both.
Then followed six or seven years of COM
paratiye quiet, the powers taking care to
have one Ut more men-of-war at Chemulpo,
within striking distance of the capital.
Some weeks ago, one Of the chronic popular
riots to which Seoul is subject, broke out,
and the Ministers sent to Admiral Belknap
for protection. He dispatched his marines
to the scene of disturbance, and their mere
appearance seems to have restored order
Corea is one of those difficult problems
which it will devolve on the next generation
to solve. 1t is not quite as large as Califor-
MIA, with a population of seven millions.
Its soil is fairly fertile, its gold mines rich
and its climate aStonlsningly varied from
sub-glacial to sub-tropical. China has al
ways claimed that it was a tributary prov
ince Of the empire. Japan, desiring to
weaken China, has insisted, on the con-
trary, that it was an independent kingdom.
An attempt was made a couple Of years ago
to induce the United States into recog-
milton Of the Independence of Corea by
sending an embassy from Seoul to Wash
ington. The ENJOYS were received in lgnor-
ance of the significance of the step, but the
reception was afterward explained away.
IL Is DOI clear ildL we nave any lultItSL III
the matter one way or the other. Corea
has been lately ordering some mining ma
chinery on this Coast, and importing Cali
fornisns to handle it; but this traffic would
90 on equally well whether the country is
regarded as an independent empire or as
tributary State.
One of the curious anomalies of the pres
ent regime in Corea is the position of an
American as foreign adviser to the King.
This person, MI. 0. II. Denny Of Oregon,
served some years ago as Consul at Shang-
hal. While filling that post he attracted the
attention of Lii Hung Chang, and shortly
after his return home he was appointed by
the latter private counselor TO the King Of
Corea. who, al that time, was under Lis
control He has spent the past five years
at Corea, and his name has figured from
time to time in newspaper accounts OF the
court intrgues AT Seoul. AS he fills no Office
under the Government ut Washington it
was perhaps not to be expected that he
should work for this country in his new
home, and in fact he has not Whether his
presence at the Corean court has been bene-
fetal to the Corean monarch or his people,
persons on this side of the Pacific are not
qualified TO determine.