Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-09


,anenese f. acknowledged to be hu-
name. intelligent. and fairly progressive
rrIsr. but the country Is rent by factions
and the reopis are hovriSIy oppressso w
fhtr marharfns The Kings fntnsr
strongly prp-Ch,nrsc. and IL the ieadef oI
tire Conservative party, while the Sueen
"a the head OF the Min family. VINO are
the leaders of the progressive efemen,.
The Korean tmbroglio II saih 20
.,perfect jumbo Of politics. amiy Isu"
and personal grievances or amoi.on,r
year or more ago there srose ."e ios
nav or .Orfcrtai PARTY" whose waten-
,,oyd. arc "Kora for Koreans; away WIN
The Japanesc and westcrncrs! fhese,
having tHlxen up arm'. are cniied uI-
arebeis'' IN the dispatches. IN 1872 trou-
bjes arose and both chinese ana Japnnesc
froops were sent 10 Korea Nheh ina'.Ss
vers settled II was agreed between inc
,vo countries that on the cessation OF
any disturbances in Korea both armies
should withdraw. Now the chinese Suy
the disturbances have been put down ana
both nations should withoraW tn.I
tyoops. while the Japanese say tndt "hh,
the Korean government Is so corrIp, a,i'
,na prople 50 dissatisfied, new outbreaks
WIN occur IL their troops are recalled.
China agreed to Japan's proposition 10
{na,st ON reforms and then receded. As
.Tapan refused to withdraw her army nj
present, China began TO pour IN troops,
.Japan viewed this az threat ana urea
To stop H. which lrrl 10 the sinking OF the
Chinese transport flying the English nag
and to the subsequent naval engagements
THE PROBABLE OUTCOME.
Az to the outcome: Tie western govern
ments are trying and may succeed In
making peace II matters have not gone
too far England and Germany probably
sympathize with China. while Russia ana
France probably incline 20 the side OF
Japan. Amy active Interference OF these
nations may bring on n European war.
In addition TO the eastern question,
they have the "fsr-eaStern question on
their hands As 50 the two Asatfc powers
themselves, japan viii probably be sue
cessful at the outset. a. her soldiers are
brave. and she has a better armament on
sea. Her people however, are apt 10 be
rash and fiery, and may be discouraged
by reyerses. China il very persistent,
though she may be slow to move ana ner
resources In men and money are superior
II the war Is fought out to the bitter END.
think China will prove the hnal victor.
As to the effect OF tire war on mission
work. | presume that mission work IN
Korea Will be at standstil for a sea
suffer personal violence remains to be
sen. but their work will almost certainly
suffer Some American missionaries have
been quite high in the counsels Of the
government against which so many OF
the people have risen. This may pre-
judice the people against the cause. Per
sonaIly, / think that IL is much better for
missionaries 10 content themselves with
the simple preaching OF the Gospel ana
In ri
tan truth than TO endeavor TO gain po-
litical influence. though the latter is gene
rally considered as "A great triumph "
Christianity. In Japan. presume, the mis-
| sonarfes will be protected, a. there Ia but
little lawlessness in that country, and tn
government Is not distinctly anu-foreign.
In China the people are 50 lawless ana
so easily excited by designing leaders.
and the litera,i, who are the accepted
| leaders OF the people as class. are
so much opposed to Christianity
and TO foreigners, that II Is am
cult 10 say what may take place. The
government, | think, will try 10 protect
| the missionaries, as they feel the impOr-
| lance of Keeping on good terms with
England and Germany. and other western
| powers but the mandarins are so gwen
| 70 dupncity and yield 80 much TO the
| popular feeling that 1t is impossible 10
| say what may occur In mhlF'duai IN
| stances. What, perhaps. Is most 10 DE
| feared is that bodies of lawless men
| taking advantage Of the governments be-
| ing engaged In foreign war, may at
| tack mission houses and assault the native
| Christians for the sake of plumber and 70
| gratify their hatred Of the foreigners ana
| their religion. These men and their
| leaders know very well that, whatever the
feelings of the central authorities at
| Picking may be, the local mandarins ana
| gentry Will almost always, secretly II
| may be. but really, espouse the cause OF
| heathenisIn against Christianity and the
| Chinese against the foreigner. So they
| feel that. though one or two helpless
| vretches and dupes may be made To suftef
| under pressure from western powers, the
| real instigators and leaders Will escape
scSt-frGe.
| The situation Is sufficiently grave to De
| mand the special and constant prayers OF
| Gods people here at home for their
| brethren who have gone forth as mis-
| slonaries, and for the Chinese who nave
| identified themselves with the name oil
| our Lord Jesus. In these troublous times
1 all our missionaries IN China. Japan. ana
| Korea should always be remembered be-
| fore God in the public end private
| prayers of Gods children here at home
| Il. II. GRAVES.