The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-03-08
p AND KOREA.

Their Rotations Explained by Secretary
Mntsui-T The Reforms Demanded by
Japan Are beginning to Manifest
Themselves.
WAsulSoToS, March IA now secre-
tary to the Japanese legation at WASH
iust on, Mr.. X. Matsui, has just arrived
here, having been transferred to his
post at Seoul, Korea, where he recently
passed through the exciting events by
which Korea, precipi,atcd tho war be-
tween Japan and China. The trip
from Seoul to Washington. with q short
stop ut Yokohama, has taken about two
months.
Mr.. Matsui is one OF tho keen young
men, speaking English iluontly, who are
distinguishing japan for her diplomacy
as vol nd hor military powers. "The
Koreans were suspicious and fearful at
tho outset" said Mr.. Matsui, "lcst
Japan had come 10 conquer and absorb
them, but they have gradually como to
realize that the enlightened reforms
suggested by Count lnouyo. Japanese
envoy there. arc for the advancement
and modernization OF Korea. lie ia
we'll equipped for this work, as be
signed tho frat treaty OF peace and
amity made with Korea nearly twenty
years ago, and was again concerned
with that country in 1854. But the
work OF reform Is very slow, and it will
DO years before the country will emerge
from tho darkness Inherited FROM China.
Tho lattor country mas long claimed
Eoioa as q dependency, and Chineac
conservatism has boon impressed on
the country. There arc about 1000
Chinese ut Seoul. and these, with tho
outer Chinese influences, have kop.
Korea in tho old ways. and havo pro-
vented contact with tho outside world.
'But tho reforms urged by Japan arc
beginning TO manifest themselves. Tho
king and Quocn, "a well as tho cabinet,
consult Count lnouye and concede
largely to hia Judgment. Ho is iro.
uuently summoned to the palace. where
the king personally questions him for
advice on tho conduct oil Affairs. Tho
king Is a Just and fair man, Nth ough
perhaps lacking in force OF character.
The queen has marked executive ab!l-
ity and her Influence Is felt by tho min
istry. She is by far the first woman In
Koron. The reform has brought about
an increase OF the cabinet from six, as
it was before tho war. to ten, the same
n, Jnpan's cabinet. Tho now cabinet
includes ministers OF finance, foreign af.
fairs, way, justice, public works, cduca.
ton, etc. All oil tho ministers aro ma.
tive Koreans. They have littlo or no
aptitude for social organization on
modern lines.
"Thr finances OF tho country arc very
bad. There ~ Il lack OF money for pub.
lie work. Tho currency Is OF ancient
form, ind 90 cumbersome that tho
strongest mon could not carry moro
than $50. Tliorc ia no navy. Tho army
il mcagrr, with several Americans sorv-
ing rs instructors. They hUyc modern
rifles and some krupp guns, but they
have been allowed to rust. and tho
| soldiers cannot handle thom effectively.
Tho Korean army and about 200 jap.
aneso troops were sent against tho
| Tong. Hats, and tho rebellion was about
suppressed whom | lott. Tho Tong
IIals nro made up OF two clements in
tho south Of Korea, ono u religious scot,
aud the other 4 clasa OF brigands and
robbors-in al! about 10000 people.
Tho leaders brought tho rich mon to
tho towns. and forced thom upon pain
Of death to givc up their monoy. Tho
hr:gand OlnmNnt Joined In tho general
cxtortion and pillago. Dopredations,
murders and %Cruolties occurred. Tho
Japanese and tho Korean troops sub.
duod tho outbreak. Tho Tong-llaks
fought with crude weapons, but hun.
dreds OF thom would fly before Il squad
Of twenty trained Japanest Infantry.
mon