Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-11-09
Tire Orizia of tn Japon h no
Wa
Korean letter in the Rockbrdge, Va
News

SEOUL, KOREA, Sept. 90 1S9t.-The troll
bic OF iginated from an outbreak in the South
ern province of Korea, in which the niissiona-
ries of the Southern Presbyterian church are
doing work. The rebels, so called, arose
against their depressing officials. These Off
Gals have cruelty ground down the people,
even going so lar as to imprison and beat
| their subjects upon trumped up charges, I'M
til some rich relative by a large sum of mon-
ey paid their ransom. The king of Korea sent
his nationals to put down the revolt. lis
minister, Min Yong Choung, had the matter
in charge. He managed badly, his forces
were defeated by the ''rebels," and "Chun
Ju,'' the capital of Chella Do, was taken and
partially burnt. Upon this, the minister who
was persuaded by the Chinese consul, called
upon China for assistance. This was done with
out consulting the king, and in violation of The
japanese treaty of 1885. The king was ap
prised of the above by his American adviser
He at once degraded the minister aud tele-
graphed the Chinese troops not to land. The
action was tardy the Chinese landed and this
brought in the japanese. 1t may be well to
remember that when the Chinese came into
Seoul in 81, japanese were killed on sight,
regardless of age OF sex.
The Japanese forces landed at all treaty
ports and large force came to Seoul. For a
long time arbitration was attempted and GER
tain reforms were insisted upon by the Japa-
nese consul. Tired of promises, the Japanese
by a concerted movement took possession of
Seoul. The work was accomplished in very
short time. The palace gate was burnt
through and opened, and it was here and at
the arsenal that the principal fighting was
done. The kings body-guard forces from
Pyeng An (the northern province borderin g
China), fought with some little spirit. About
fifty Koreans and one OF two japanese were
killed. Many Korean wounded have come
into the Christian hospitals and all, without
exception, were shot in the back. | should
say, however, in vindicaton of the Korean
soldiers that they knew that the king did not
expect them to resist. lis majesty felt that
| resistance would cause useless sacrifice of
life, so only show OF resistance was made.
Immediately upon this, war was declared
with China by Japan, A naval battle took
place in which two Chinese vessels were sunk
and one captured. A bomb was sent into the
engine room of one of the japanese boats but
| it failed to explode. An English transpolt
vessel bearing 1900 Chinese soldiers was
caught by japanese gun boats. 1t was order
ed to surrender. The English and German
officers in command of course advised imme-
/ diate surrender. But the Chinese ao0attd re-
cejce no quarter. They tried to use some old
guns on deck, and fired into the japanese
commission who came the second time de-
manding their surrender. 1t is even said that
they fred on the japanese llfc-boats that were
lowered to save the Chinese who jumped
overheard. 1t is not correct, therefore, to say
that the Japanese wilt give no quarter.
Later the japanese routed the Chinese
forces in the South of Korea: fifty of the for
mer and 500 of the latter bit the dust
Later. Sept 18th. japanese and Chinese
have large forces in Pyang Yang. The Chi
nese are in possession of that the capital of
the province, and Northern Korea sides with
China, furnishing supplies, etc. Ii is report
ed that the Chinese have proclaimed the gov
ernor of the province OF Pyeng An king of
Korea.
AS | write Korean friend dropped in to
tell me that the japanese consul has posted
notice on the gates OF the capital stating that
their army has defeated the Chinese cavalry
in the north, 1000 having been killed and
some captured. japanese loss not stated
The japanese are extremely polite and
obliging to foreigners. The day after the
capture Of Seoul, they opened the large city
gates for the entree or exit of Americans and
other foreigners. We, of course, would dread
an occupation of Seoul by the Chinese as
much of their army is a disorganized mob.
But even here there are men who make dis
tinctions of nationality, for an American
missionary who was in the capital OF Pyeng
An when the Chinese occupied it, was given
an escort of several hundred cavalry to carry
him beyond The lines of danger.
We hepe that Japan will succeed in her
work of reform, and trust that the God OF the
nations is using her to open this country to
commerce and thus prepare the way for the
entrance of tie gospel of light and life-the
only true civilizer W. NJ. j.