The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-24
AMONG THE COREANS
EXPERIENCES OF AN ARTIST IN
THE LAND OF MORNING CALM.
What Mr.. Savage-Landor Says of His
Wanderings Through This Strange
Land-Excerpts from His Book.
New York Tribune.

New York Tribune
Though Mr.. Savage-Eandor bears
names both OF which are renowned in
English literature. he deprecates any
criticism on the point of literary merit
as to his own work. His profession, an
he takes occasion to say. is that Of q
painter, not of an artist in words. What
ne has to say about Corea is put in the
easy method of the talker rather than in
that Of the writer. 1t could almost be
imagined that the book was dictated
rapidly or taken down surreptitiously an
he discoursed on the various incidents
of his sojourn in THE Land of Morning
Calm Recent events have exhibited
the Coreans in a light not very envi-
able. They have given the impression
of being unable to manage their own af-
fairs, incapable in politics and inefficient
in war. Apparently official corruption
and incompetence are as much the rule
among them as among the Chinese.
Friendly as the author is toward them.
the only device of government which he
dwells upon is the detective system
which pervades the whole organism OF
society. He describes the King as con-
stantly engaged in choosing officials to
be sent on secret missions into the vari-
GUS provinces to observe the condition
of the people and the acts of the magis-
trates. No sooner has one spy been sent
away than another is hurried off in the
same direction to watch him. by the
time the two have returned" adds Mr..
5ayaEe-LandOr, some intrigue or ac-
-usations will probably have been insti-
tuted against them, in which case all
the thanks they obtain for obeying his
Majesty is either that they are degraded
or that they are exiled to some outland-
ish province in the Ever White Noun
tain district or on the Russian frontier.
These secret messengers are selected and
ordered to go on their missions without
an instant's delay. They have no oppor-
tunity to contrive any mischief before
their departure, and they are apparently
given no time for collision with the Off
Gals in the regions to which they are
sent. The only knowledge which others
at the capital have Of their mission is
that they are absent from their usual
place. This system of espionage must
be looked on in the light Of the fact that
the whole political system of the coun-
try is in the hands of the mobiles. 1t
should be comparatively easy for them
II to come to an understanding with each
other. All the authors criticisms point
to the fact that the continual visits OF
spies make practically no change in the
administration of the provinces. The
disappearance of one offender only
makes room for a successor equally
skilful in the ways of the Corean world
What is the use Of working and max
ing money" said Corean to the author.
If when the work is done and the
money made, it is taken from you by the
officials; you are worn out by the work
you have done, yet are as poor as be-
fore; that is, mind you, IL you are fortu-
nate enough~not to be exiIed to a dis
|~tant province 81 ha>saae: :iS;ata Vic -
enriched himself at your expense"
OFFICIAL PERILS.
AS usual, the only restraint upon this
system of apprehension is furnished by
conspiracy, assassination or judicial
slaughter. If the people are relieved OF
their burdens for moment, they may
trace the effect of its cause in the en-
vious quarrels among the nobility. An
official has to exercise discretion in or
der to live out his days. He must be az
bad as his rivals, but no worse; IL he
misses the proper mean in either direc-
ton he is sure to get into trouble. He
learns TO be expert in all the tricks OF
speech and silence. Mr.. Sayage-Landor
| declares that among all the diploma lists
whom he has rnet-and he claims a wide
acquaintance among them-the best was
Cofean To entrap him was impos-
sible. He learned languages with almost
incredible facility, and he had courage
and independence In proportion to his
mental powers. But the cynicis1n with
| which he contemplated his probable fate
was shown in his remark that 1T was a
marvel to him how he kept his head on
| his shoulders. so many other people
wanted it. The morning after he had
his conversation with Mr.. Savage-Lan-
| dor he was sent off in disgrace to a. dis
| tant province as punishment for soma
| trifiing breach of etiquette. The dis
| quietude due to secret intrigue is not
confined to the court or TO official cir
| cles. Scout, the capital of the country.
swarms with detectives and informers.
/ The natural conditions Of society are
| such as to make every inhabitant spy
| upon the affairs of those about him. In
| addition to this, the police are chosen
| and trained for secret methods. They
| wear no uniform. Unknown. they min
/ gle with the people, gain the confidence
| of others by simulated friendship and
| prove themselves efficient in tracking
| criminals. Delinquents are captured
/ with celebrity that may be envied in a
/ more civilized country. OF the other
| side of the medal-the offenses of the po-
/ lice themselves encouraged by the .Se-
| crecy with which they are surrounded
| the author says little. 1t is not thing
| easy to be observed. But he does re-
! mark OH the frequency with which detec-
! tives were themselves detected in un-
/ lawful acts.
/ When the system of espionage lis de-
| scribed. about all Is said that can be
respecting the administration Of the
4
| bility is. taken all round, a very lazy
| one" They even consider exercise be-
| meath their dignity, and leave their
| sports to hired exhibitors, with the sim
| gle exception of archery. The short
| bows can be used by trained hand with
| great accuracy. But even this Dastime
| has largely passed into the hands OF
/ professional archers. who are kept ar
i the expense of their admirers. These
| bowmen abound. all over, the country.
| Judging by the authors account of their
| skill, they would be far more efficient
| soldiers than the alarmed men whose
| exploits have recently won the ridicule
| Of the world. The Corean Isl not lacking
1 in courage. But it has hitherto been i'm
| possible to convince him of the sltility OF
/ drill. The guns with which the army Is
| supplied are OF SO many sorts and sizes
| that no government could keep 1t In
| cartridges ready for service. Moreover,
| the Corean government is so contrived
| that most of the funds required for pub
| lie business fall gradually into the
| purses Of officials Before the war
/ which is now in progress. a volley OF
| musketry was SO rare that the King
| usually sent a message to the various
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