The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-08-23

ancient caste distinctions are Still rigidly
in force. They do not cut off their hair,
nor are their women kept under such
restraint as in China.
The language differs widely from both
Chinese and Japanese, but it is like the
latter in its polysyllabic form, and its al
phabet OF % letters. The higher classes are
well educated, use the Chinese characters
in writing, and are followers OF Confucius.
The mass OF the people are Buddhists.
Roman Catholic Missionaries have been
laboring in Corea since 1882, and in 1857
there were 1920 converts. On account
OF the strict laws against them, the mis-
sionaries work in secret. The Coreans
oppose not only the introduction OF
Christianity, but OF all foreign c%iviliza-
ton and commerce..
The only intercourse allowed with
China is officially confined to W points,
viz, Picking, which is visited annually by
an envoy accompanied by a few privi-
legged traders, and the agate town. near
the city OF F~unghwang in Liaotung, on
the frontier dividing the two countries,
where a fair is periodically held. But the
Chinese manage secretly to carry on
trade at the islands on the coasts OF
Corea. Tn principal manufactures are
SUR, cotton, cotton paper, grass cloth,
rice paper, arms, and horsehair caps;
which articles, with ginseng, skins, gold,
silver, iron, rice and oil are the chief
exports. The principal trade is with
Japan, from which are imported pepper,
aromatic woods, horns, and European
and Japanese made goods.
The unfrieodly attitude which Corea
had assumed toward Japan lin 1870 is
Isatd to have been induced by the disap-
proNal OF the government OF the former
country OF the new policy OF Japan en-
trring into relations OF friendship and
intercourse with European nations. An
embassy was sent from Japan to Corea to
exact satisfaction for the firing upon the
Japanese man-of-war Unyokuen by
Corean soldiers, and settle all the differ
ences between the two countries. 1t was
entirely successful, and concluded Il
treaty OF peace February 81, which pro-
yided Tor a full restoration of intercourse
between the two countries, and which
change 1t is said would eventually open
Coren to the world. The king OF Corea
first objected to signing this treaty, and
it developed hat he never did sign Il
paper OF any kind, such a thing had
never been done, but as iorvihly insisted
upon 1t he was persuaded to attest it.
The treaty consists OF the usual terms
between nations showing that the Orien-
tails are diplomates equal to the Cauca-
slams If uhpliLh.J th. fnr,,.r
OF annual tribute to Japan, and engaged
the Corean government to establish trade
with the japanese, and open to them two
ports within twenty months from date.
establish consuls, protect any vessels
wrecked in their waters, etc. Since the
Corean waters are very dangerous on ac-
count OF the numerous islands and rocks
with which they abound, the japanese re-
ceived permission by the terms OF the
treaty totake surveys in the places where
they have not been made, and construct
photographic charts showing the course
nf currents and the depth OF the waters,
for the safety OF the shipping OF both
countries.
The government is ~despotic, and AS
regards the mass OF the people is unre-
strained; but powerful parties among
the mobiles appear to exercise a certain
control over the kings actions, and
decide questions OF disputed succession,
which frequently arise. Absolute power
over the lives and property OF the people
seem to be in the hands OF even the low
est officials, and frightful w~hippings are
often inflicted by their order on persons
guilty OF only trining offences. The king
formerly paid tribute to China and
Japan. The ministry is divided into five
departments, and the country into eight
taos or administrative districts. over
each tao is Il governor responsible to the
n King. These taos are suh-diyidcd into
forty-one koons, with thirty three towns
OF the first class, thirty-eight OF the sec
ond, and seventy ri the third, Kionghi-
, tao, or Wangking AS the Chinese call it,
literally royal capital tetlied by the
French Seoul the capital, is at a short
g distance inland on the river Han. The
- other principal towns are Kieng. Tsicn,
q P~iengyang on the Tatong river, and
Hienching on B~roughton's bay.
The whole population is liable to mill
m,ir,,irod rnlass :, b., - ,a IT,
king Tbo, rnow a~ocnrdia,I, nathtn,
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y OF matchlocks, which, in spite OF their
/ primitive description, exhibit a very
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