Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-04
THE KOREAN LEGATION
Mr.. and Mrs. Ye Cha Yum and Their
Home in This City.
IMBIBING WESTERN I'D EAS.
The New Legation Residence and Its Fur
ni-hing--Hew Mrs Yum Has Been Emanci-
pat.d With American BOnnets-She Has
Gained Greater Liberty.
Written for The Evening Star.

TNHE KOREANS ARE ESSENTIALLY A
Il progressive people and of this assertion
there Is no stronger proof than is presented in
the hospitable Korean legation residence on
Iowa circle.
The Korean representatives in the United
States have developed marked advance
towards modern civilization in their ready
adoption Of our dress and manners. The ia
miliar and amusing story OF the ingenious
manner in which the two bright little wives OF
Korea Outwitted their husbands and won their
Independence upon their first arrival in
Washington and their bold defiance OF
the commands Of their leige lords in sue
cessful midnight exit from the embassy by
means of the pantry window. with the determi-
nation to join in the occasion of large even
ing reception attended by members of the
various legations is of too recent occurrence
To need repetition Ii will be recorded in the
history Of the future marking the first step
toward the final emancipation of Korean
women When II Is realized In what blind
state of heatnen slavery the race has so long
dwelt and the almost hopeless bondage of the
women he voatler grows
Since the recall of Mr. PAX Chung Yang. en-
voy extraordinary and minister plenipoten-
rary 10 the United States, Mr.. LIE Cha Yum,
secretary Of legation. has acted "a charge
d'affaires. ard under his able diplomacy the al
ready established spirit of friendship has been
warmly cementsd between the ruling powers.
According to official etiquette among the 10
reans the absent minister still retains his ap-
pOintnent 10 the natural expiration of his
three years term and no successor can I'LL his
office previous 10 such date.
THE LEGATION RESIDENCE.
The spacious brick residence occupied by the
legation since their establishment in the city
commands a beautiful outlook on Iowa Circle,
at present a blooming bower OF green lawn
and shady walks situated in the very heart of
the city. Tbs mansion was originally leased bv
the embassy for term of two years. and of
late the property has been purchased by the
government for the sum of 80 900 Extensive
improvements have already been started.
and before the opening of another official
season the addition of spacious ball
room, opening of from the dInning hall.
will be completed. well the en-
larging of the upper chambers through the
tanning capaeity of the dwelling will also be
largely augmented in an extension Of the front
walls across the parking as far as the building
hne. These important changes will be fol-
lowed by thorough refurnishing and
fresh interior decorations. With this
view the secretary and his enthusiastic
little wife. acting in cOEgenial unison. have been
busily engaged for some weeks past in the Sc
lection of furnishings for their American home
until shopping excursions have assumed vast
Importance Their changing and from an
American point of view improved tastes is
evidenced by the fact that they daily become
aware OF necessities at one time unknown or
overlooked in their domestic economy.