The record-union., 1894-08-11
HHE CAUSE AND STATUS OF TIE
COREAN DIFFICULTY.

Both China and Japan some years ago
agreed that Corea should be deemed an
Independent nation, but China declined
TO yield her claim of suzerainty, while
Japan insisted upon her right to consider
Cores as her pupil in the lessons of
progress. In the very nature of things
such situation could not lohg continue.
All Americans who have resided in
Eorea or had close business relations
with the Hermit Kingdom" which it
was our fortune to open to the world as
we did the empire of Japan. agree that to
the Japanese the Coreans owe whatever
progress they have made along the paths
Of civilization and in the development Of
the resources of the country. China,
however. has viewed with growing
jealousy all such movement and has not
spared pains to keep Corea in the dark.
ness of ignorance and exoIusiveness.
In pursuance of that policy the pro-
gressiveness of the Japanese in Corea and
the influence of Japan upon that country
have been held to be offensive. An in
stance of this is found in the success of
the Japanese In inducing Corea to set up
limited postal system, and a Postoffice
was opened at Seoul, whereupon China
fomented riot that resulted in the de-
struction of the Office.
o. 80 ..
engage in an improved system of silk
culture. but the Chinese influence
crushed it. Various manufactures were
established later, mainly through Japan
ese influence. but under the natural inac-
tivity and Unborn sloth of the Coreans and
the Vaccinations of Chinese jealousy,
they all failed.
About 1887 Corea. stimulated by Japa-
nese example, set up mint and began
to coin money, but it never got beyond
the issue of some copper representatives
of value, and these were presently with
drawn. When in 1890 the effort was
made to introduce the telegraph and the
locomotive into Corea, Chinese agents
were successful in convincing the Coreans
that they were dangerous devices of the
s'foreign DEVILS"
More recently the Coreans Of the lower
and middle class became and still are
active in hostility amounting to re-
belIion, against the ruling dynasty and
its adherents. This rebellion has been
smoldering, with occasional outbursts,
for many years, and it is born of oppres-
sions by the rulers, of the most cruel
character.
Within recent years not q few of the
official class have sided with the rebels,
because of the outragsously corrupt prac-
tees of the ruler and his henchmen. Out
of this situation grew a secret society
known as the "Togaku-to." composed of
the more conservative opponents of the
King and his party. The members have
repeatedly Joined in the revolts, though
ct must not be assumed that they repre-
sent progressive ideas, on the contrary
they are grossly superstitious, and at this
time make their chief appeal for antagon-
ism to the ruling power through tradi-
tion that no dynasty can reign more than
500 years. whereas the present one, the
Bin family, has ruled SOB years.
These rebels, opposed to reform as well
as to the rulers, strange as such a state
ment may seem, since rebellion is to be
supposed to represent reform, have been
most active in the present year, snd are
said to have $4,000 men under arms.
They demand the expulsion of al
foreigners and the re-establishment oi
Ehe worship of Corsa's ancient saints.
On the last defeat of the Government
troops by the rebels, the King called on
both China and Japan to aid him. The
Mikado promptly sent over an army
we'll equipped. and China as promptly
demanded their withdrawal. under claim
of suzsranity over Corss. Japan refuses
to retire and war has followed 1t seems
that, though he called on Japan TO serve
him, tbs Corean King, cosrced by fear
yielded to China's claim that he is itE
vassal. The result is reported to be thu
capture Of the King by the Japanese and
his detention as prisoner.
Japan very properly holds that. al
shsrs are 10000 Japanese In corsa sns