Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-03
UPRISING IN KOREA.
AMERICAN RESIDENTS IN DANGER
or BEING MURDERED.
Warning Sent Ia Washington by the Ko-
rean Government--The Baltimore
Ordered to Chemulpo.

WASHINGTON, u. c., June 2.-Orders
Baltimore. OF the Asatc squadron. 10
proceed with all possible dispatch 10 the
coast OF Korea and take whatever meas.
ures may be necessary for the protection
of American interests. An official note Of
thanks will be sent To the King of Korea
for his timely warning OF the rebellion
OF some OF his subjects. which is said to
be directed against Americans
The United States legation at the Ko-
rean capital has been instructed 10 keep
the State Department fully Informed OF
the progress Of affairs as long as they
are serious. and has been notified OF the
orders TO the Baltimore. That ship has
been at Nagasaki, Japan, for the past
two weeks, but probably sailed for Che
mulpo some time to-day. The distance
Is only 700 miles. and this can be covered
in two days.
THE TROUBLE.
The Korean Legation In Washington
received a cablegrafn yesterday from the
Kings palace at Seoul. stating that the
rebcls had gained possession or the south-
ern, and chief of the eight provinces or
the Kingdom. that the lives Of all for
eigners were in danger. and that the
presence of United states war-ship at
Chemulpo without delay, to project
Americans, was urgently requested
The officials of the legation Immediately
presented the facts to Secretary Gresham
and I'm a friendly manner impressed MIN
with the importance of prompt acton.
hat
800 and 40 Americans in the four principal
cities OF Korea, and that the revolution
was really directed against them. Inc
people are divided into two poiltical par
ties. the East and the West the latter
representing the progressive element III
favor of western civilization as typihed
by the Americans. This party supports
the King, who is a warm admirer Oh tne
United States. and who has frequently
given proof OF his friendship as III lhe
present instance.
The opposition adhere TO eastern no
tious. and this party has been rapidly
strenotbenina, in the inaccessible portions
of the country, until. according to the
cablegram Just received. they have sue
ceedcd in selling an important province
not over a hundred miles from seoul inc
capital, and within a few days march
OF the three free ports where the lor-
eigners reside
THREATS OF MURDER.
Unless they are checked by some
stronger power than the government
seems able to exert, it Is considered pro-
bable that many, if not all, the American
residents will be murdered.
A little more than year ago there was
a similar uprising in Korea against Tor
eigners, though the movement was not
50 large. and it was quelled by the prompt
appearance OF the frigate Marion ana
the firing of q royal salute. The news
quickly spread through the country that
n man-of-war had arrived to punish Of
tenders against American citizens, ana
the anti-foreiGn movement was quickly
terminated. A little later the Alert made
three visits to Chemulpo, the port or
Seoul. extending over a period from March
10 August and since that time Ameii-
cans have felt perfectly secure, until late
ly.
The present outbreak IS attributed to
the fact that no American naval vessels
have shown the flag in Korean watcrs
since the visit of the Alert. and that the
natives have conceived the notion that
the foreigners are unsupported.