The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-12

SEOUL, Korea, June 20, 1S94.-One of
the causes of the trouble between Japan
aud China. and the beginning. in fact. of
the present rebellion in Korea. was the
assassination of Kim Ok Kun at Shang-
hal. Kim Ok Kun after his famous con-
spiracy in Korea fed to japan. and he was
for long time under the protection of the
Japanese Government. He was inveigled
over to Shanghai. and was there assassin
ated by friend of the King of Korea.
Japan almost claimed him as subject,
and she thought that his murderer and
his remains should have been carried to
5 Toxic: Ii Hung Chang aided the Koreans
In transporting them to this place, and
-: the maltreatment of the body of Kim was
probably foTeseen by Ii Hung Chang
when he gave the order for the Chinese
vessel OF war TO carry the BODY 10
Korea. This country is a strange mix
: .ture of barbarism and civilization. IL Is
. almost incredible that these people whose
: souls are full of poetry, whose tastes are
believe, naturally refined, and who pride
: themselves on being Disciples OF Contuclus,
: Should act in the way they did with Kim
Ok Kun. His body was brought here TO
: Korea. II was cut into pieces and the diff
the country and hung up as a warning to
traitors above the biggest gates of the
largest of the Korean cities. Seoul went
: mad with joy when the news came Of the
. assassination. Business was suspended,
and the court devoted itself to feasting and
dancing am told that $50 Of those frail
professional maidens, known as gesang or
. dancing girls, were brOughtinto the palace
frh
the other day from Chemulpo l passed one
of these almond-eyed beauties going back
home after her carouSal at the capital.
She was on horseback, riding astride, and
she had q couple of servants with her.
The tale of Kim Ok Kiun's life and
death reads more like a romance of the
dark ages than the story of actual doings
In this year Of our Lord 1894 1t will have
great influence upon Korea's future. and
in it are comprised events which have ma
terially affected the Governments of this
part of the world. China and Japan are
mixed up in it, and it is largely the cause
of the war clouds which are now lowering
over Asia. Russia is deeply concerned by
it. and England is now trembling at the
possibility of its results upon her Indian
empire. This little land of Korea is
the key to Eastern Asia. If the Gar gets
his hold upon it. China will probably be
subjugated by the Russians, and a door
will be open for Russian army into Hin
doostan and Burmah. Korea is within
only a few hours sail OF Japan. 1t is
separated from China by wall of stakes
The lower boundary of Siberia touches IT,
and Russia. Japan and China would all be
glad to call Korea theirs. The most famous
statesman of the Japanese empire were.
it is said, behind Kim Ok Kiun's rebellion,
and it is charged that a Japanese led the
rebels in the fights with the Kings troops
of a few days ago.
The rebellion of ten years ago and the !
rebellion Of to-day are in the interests of
modern progress. as far as the japanese
are concerned, and there is no doubt but
that Korea will come cut of the fight In
better condition than she has ever been in
the past. Kim Ok Kun got his idea Of
changing the Korean Government and of
the introduction of western civilization,