The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-09
THROUGH MANCHURIA.
Winter VIII Not Keep the Japanese
Troops Back From noukden.

CHEMULPo, Oct. 12-Affairs are not
working smoothly in Seoul. The promises
of the Tai-Won-Kun, profusely rendered
while the question of his appointment to
the prims ministry was still undecided, are
now adhered TO only as suits his cOnve-
nience or fancy. Many Of the great re.
forms to which he pledged himself are re-
tarded by his direct interference. The
most important of these have been duly
proclaimed and to a limited extent put in
operation, but it is becoming daily more
evident that if Japanese pressure were not
strongly eXerted the kingdom would be
allowed to drift back to its former stats of
degradation without a sign OF opposition
on the part of the native rulers, aud prob
ably with their concurrence. The Tai
Won-Kun's devotion 10 the old order OF
things is most stubbOrnly manifested in
matters of ceremony and etiquette, and is
sometimes carried 10 ludicrOus extreme.
Among other Improvements introduced By
the Japanese, new police organization
was prominent. II was modelled upon the
system of Toxic, aud as mater Of dis
cplins the officers were instructed to salnte
all Government dignitares in the usual
military way. by standing erect and touch
ing their caps.
When the Tai-Won-Kun was first made
the object of this supposed courtesy he
went into a rage, had five policemen sum-
marily arrested aud imprisoned, and
caused the Chief OF Police TO be dismissed
for issuing orders subversiys of imme-
mortal Korean uSages and traditions. For
a wretcEed guardian of the public peace
TO appear conscious of the presence of
magnate of his rank was, under any cir
Cumstances, an unheard of piece of pre-
sumption, but to offer a salute In any other
form than that of grOveling upon the
earth was past all tolerance Unfortu-
natey the Tai Wou-Kun's caprices are
not all Of so harmless nature. He not
only resists every measure which he thinks
calculated TO weaken the privileged classes.
but has already begun to exercise his
especial faculty or intrigue in dangerous
directions. His intellectual superiority to
the officials by whom he is surrounded is
beyond dispute, but his abilities are ex-
erted exclusively to his personal adyan-
tage and that of his fayoIte relatives
For the son who Teigns he has nothing but
contempt and his strong desire is to de-
pose the actual monarch and place another
OF his children upon the throne. Alb
sorbed in this project. he gives no heed to
the remOnStrances Of the Japanese Min
lister, and appears wholly uHmindful of the
fact that the power which restored him 10
political eminencs may at any moment
again consign him to obscurity.
The situation has become 30 awk ward
that firmer hand than that OF Mr.. Otori,
the present envoy from Japan, Is re-
- AL
chances, the representatives OF the island
empire, though generally able men, have
successfully failed TO satisfy the highest
necessities of their office, ever since the
establishment of diplomatic relations in
1876. More than one of them has had re-
markaDle opportunities for winning great
distinction, but in no case have these
chances been improved. Hanabusa. who
was driven out OF Seoul by rioters ten
years ago. might have made himself
potent and renowned. but the occasion
slipped away before he had the resolution
to grasp 1t. DISH, who was sent in 1893
to repair the errors of an inefficient prede-
cessor, could find no way Of exhibiting de-
termination and inflexibiity but that of
treating the Korean Ministers with a
harshness little short Of cruelty, and thus
cfealeQ Scduual WHICH cOulQ ONLY be al
layed by his hasty recall. Otori, who fol-
lowed him, appears to have done his worl,
conscientiousiy and well. with forbear
Rncs for all weaknesses, yet with full de-
termination to fulfill the instructions Of
his superiors; but the task of reconstruct
Ing an utterly corrupt and worthless sys-
tenn of government has proved to be be.
yond his strength.
Perhaps a higher degree of authority
than that welded by an envoy is essential
in dealing with an unmanageable Prime
Minister who is also the father Of the
sovereign, and who considers himself in
fnitely superior in rank to any Japanes,
be has yet encountered. That this /:
likely TO be the case is indicated by the ap
pointment of Count Iuouye, member o.
the Japanese Cabinet, TO the post of Elm
bassador at Seoul. The standing and til,
qualifications OF Count Inouye are vel