Evening star., 1895-03-07
Information Given by the Japanese
Secretary Of Legation.
REFORMS MAUGURATED BY JAPAN
The Personality Of the Corean King
and Queen.
FIN ANCES IN BAD SHAPE

new first secretary to the japanese
legation at Washington, Mr.. K. Matsui, has
just arrived here, having been transferred
from his post at Seoul, the capital of Corea,
where he has recently passed through the
exciting events by which Corea precipitat-
ed the war between Japan and China. The
trip from Seoul to Washington. with
short stop at Yokohama, has taken about
two months.
Mr.. Matsui is one of the keen young men,
speaking English huently, who are dis
tinguishing Japan for her diplomacy. as
well as her military powers He talks in
teresting1y of Corean affairs, the reforms
inaugurated by Japan, the personality of
the Corean king and queen, the Tong-Hak
rebellion, and other events that have come
vaguely to the outer world.
Reforms Instituted.
1.-The Coreans were suspicious and fear
full at the outset" said Mr.. Matsui, 'lest
Japan had come to conquer and absorb
them, but they have gradually come to
| realize that the enlightened reforms sug-
gested by Count Inouye, the japanese en-
voy there, are for the advancement and
undermining Of Corea. He is well equipped
for this work, as he signed the first treaty
| of peace and amity made with Corea near
ly twenty years ago, and was again con-
cerned with the country in 1884. But the
work of reform is very slow, and it will
be years before the country will emerge
from the darkness she partook from China.
The latter country has long claimed Corea
as a dependency, and Chinese conserva-
tism has been impressed on the country.
There are about 1000 Chinese at Seoul. and
these, with the outer Chinese influences,
have kept Corea in the old ways and have
prevented contact with the outside world.
The King and Queen of Corea.
But the reforms urged by Japan are
beginning to manifest themselves" con-
tinued Mr.. Matsui. 1.-The king and queen,
as well as the cabinet, consult Count
Inouye and concede largely to his judg-
ment. He is frequently summoned to the
palace. where the king perso onally Ques-
tions him for advice on the conduct of
affairs. The king is a most just and fair
man, although perhaps lacking in force
of character The queen has marked ex-
ecutive ability, and her influence is felt by
the ministry She Is by far the first wo-
man in Corea.
.sThe administration Of affairs is being
left entirely with the Coreans. The royal
household is being maintained as 1t was be-
fore the war. although the palace Is much
run down because of the lack Of funds
The reform has brought about an increase
of the cabinet from six. as it was before
the war, to ten, the same as Japan's cabf-
net. The new cabinet includes ministers Of
works, education, etc. All of the ministers
are native Coreans. They have little or no
aptitude for social organization on modern
lines, but they consult Count Inouye and
are ready to accept suggestions, although
their natural slowEeSS makes the process
Of advancement tedious.
Finances in BAD Shape.
THE finances of the country are very
Tad. There is lack Of money for public
work. The currency is Of ancient form and
SO cumbersome that the strongest men
could not carry more than $50. There is
no navy. The army is meager. with several
Americans serving as instructors. They
have modern rifles and some Krupp guns,
but they have been allowed to rust and
rot, and the soldiers cannot handle them
effectively.
I've were in constant communication
with the seat of war, as Seoul is on the
line of the through telegraph line from
Port Arthur. But there was little excite
ment among the Corears. and they ac-
cepted the struggle with their usual stolid-
ity. The Corcan army and about 100 Jap
anese troops were sent against the Tong
Haks. and the rebellion was about sup
pressed when left. The Tong-Haks are
made up of two elements in the south Of
Corea-one religious sect and the other
class of brigands and robbers, in all
about 10000 people. The leaders brought
the rich men to the towns and forced them
on pain of death to give up their money.
The brigand element Joined in the general
extortion and pillsge. Many depredations
cruelties and murders accrued. The Jap
aneSs and Corean soldiers Subdued the out
break. The Tong-Haks fought with crude
weapons, but hundreds Of them would fly
before squad Of twenty trained Japanese
infantrymen."
Japanese Patriotism.
Mr.. Matsui stopped at Yokohama on his
way here long enough to observe the in
tense patriotism Of his countrymen. The
celebration Of Japan's victories over China
were of daily occurrence. The streets were
lined with flags hung from the roofs on
either side and Joined in the middle of the
street. making an arcade of flags. At
night japanese lanterns made the city re-
splendent The Japanese press was doing
its part in getting out frequent extras
recording each new victory of Japanese
arms.