The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-09-07
go, Co,rpoad,ne. per stsuuler peu.

YOKOHAMA, August 24-since che last
dispatch Of news to America, circum.
stances have occurred which throws
much light on the long disputed ques-
don 10 TO which side In tho war was 70.
vsrsd by tho King Of Korea. Tho only
voice hitherto heard has been that Of
the ministry, corrupt monarchy com.
posed Of the Ming family and their de-
pendents, who are completely under
tho control Of China. It has been to
their interest to represent that tho SOW
Oreigu was heartily in accordance with
thom, and until the last few weeks their
assurances to this effect have beon gen.
sralIy accepted as true,
Tho queen, who Ia blood relation OF
the Mings, ia undoubtedly under the in.
duence Of China, and as ahe is under
stood TO be greatly superior 10 her con-
sort In intellect and force OF character,
her power to impress her ideas upon
him has been easily CREDITED, and that
tho Mings acted really In the king's
namo and With his sanction was not
seriously questioned up to the timo
when the Chinese diplomatic agent In
Seoul Geserted Shis post and left the
court free from surveillance. Thon tho
Japanese envoy received message from
the kings father. suggesting chat II au
interview could DO arranged In tho pal.
ace his son could DO induced to recog:
nize the Justice and triendliness Of
Japan's intontion without much diff
Guilty.
THE wATcuFUL EXILE.
Tho kings father, officially known as
tho Tai Won Kun, was at ono period
the regent of tho country, but through
tho intrlguos OF tho Mings he was do
posed aoIno ton years ago and con-
demnod to long captivity. Aftor his
liberation he was forbidden to approach
the court, but that he kept q vatchtul
ore upon the course Of events Is proved
by the accuracy OF his statement re-
specting tho sovereign. The Japanese
envoy at once inBtated upon meeting
tho rionarch personally and under con-
ltions that should enable him to speak
bis mind without restraint Boing de-
niod this privilege by royal advisers,
lie determined to present himself with
au armed escort, and sent for detach-
ment from the Japanese forces outside
the city.
As this small guard passed BY tho
palace on the way to tho euvoy's resi-
donce, II was fired upon by Corean col
dIers In tho service OF the Mings.
These shots settled tho fate Of tho
miuistry. Tho native troops were dis
persed with scarcely struggle, and an
hour later tho Representative OF Japan
was in amicabie conversation with the
sovereign, who didn't hesitate TO do
c!aro that he had been under coercion
ever since the beginning Of tho I'M
broalio with China and that he was fur
from feeling the hostility toward Japan
which his government had publicly at
tributed to him.
TAI WON Kus's TRIUMPH.
In token OF his sincerity no had
already rid himself Of his late council
aud summoned the Tai Won Kun TO as
sist him in forming now admintstra-
ton. Before the day wns over cab
met made up OF radical opponents OF tho
Ming faction had boon installed with
tho Tai Won Kun US prime minister
and committee OF seventeen to reor'
gani7e the administrative ayston and
reform tho national laws upon basis
recommended by Japan. Such activity
and enorgy had never beforo boon wit
ncssod since the foundations os the
Korean monarchy wore laid. :,
AS soon as the outgoing cabinet had
left the palace, and without waiting to
consult his now council, ho called to-
gethor tho commanders OF tho tew
troopa remaining aud ordered them in
stantly to Join the Japanese army on tho
way 10 attack tho Chinese ut Asan:
lie was not instigated TO do this py
any body. No ono expected Il OF MIN,
and no one was moro surprised than
the Japanese representative when no
heard il. 4.
His domonsEration is explained rnther
as eignifying his delight at being 70,
lieVod from an irkSome reatraint, ana
his determination to "geteyen" In somc
way with tho men who had kept him
FOR years in leading strings.
Since tho day became In contact Win
the envoy he has shown evory dtspoei'
ton to cooperate 30 far as he was able
with the movements for Korea's rogen'
Grafton. When tho Japanoso army re-
turned victorious to Seoul, bringing
with them tho captured nrma and
I!andards, no sent a deputy to welcome
and congratulate thom.
Tho political and social reforms
which Japan demands arc Designed not
only 10 prevent China from Interfering
hereafter, but also to give the whole
people OF Korea opportunity and power
10 improve their condition apd to pre-:
pare the country for the introduction ot
western civilization.