The San Francisco call., 1895-11-03
Few Casualties Attended the Up.
heaval and Death of the
Kings Spouse.
CONFESSION OF THE MONARCH.
An Edict in Which He Admitted That
the Woman Had Led Him by
the Nose for Years.

IitiSdl IL w DIS, III SilOGl, dD III
direct outcome of the long struggle be-
tween the Min faction, headed by the
Queen, and the faction under the leader
ship of the Kings father the Tai Won
kun, and a direct result of the Queens at
tempts TO restore her own party to power,
and to reintroduce all the abuses and cor
ruption of pre-reform days. The fortunes
of both of these factions were recently at
the lowest ebb.
The Tai Won-kun, while at the head OF
the Government, where he had been placed
by Japanese influence, was convicted OF
having consplred with the Chinese gen.
erals in Pyong-Yang and the Tonghak
rebels to expel the Japanese from Seoul.
He retired from the administration and
Immediately began to elaborate a new
plot for placing his grandson In the throne
instead of his son. The discovery of this
scheme led to the arrest and imprisonment
OF the old Princes son, but after infinite
pains the Tai Won-kun succeeded in pro-
curing the youths release. He then OBJ
stlnately secluded himself in his country
residence some miles from Seoul, where he
was closely watched by emissaries of the
Queen, to whom experience had taught
the untiring character of her enemy's re-
sentiment. Meanwhile the programme of
reform was pursued steadily though not
without vicissitudes in Seoul.
Gradually an entente was established be-
tween Its advocates and opponents, the
Queen submitting, with what grace she
could command. to changes that affected
the old order more and more com pletely,
an id put an end to abuses by which her
kith and kin had largely profited. Between
the MIN family and the Tai Won-kun' S
faction there was nothing to choose from
an ethical point of view. Both alike seem
infu enced solely by love of authority
for the sake of selfish benefits accruing
from its perversion. To the Kings father
and eX-regent, however belonged GER
tain robustness of method and magnitude
OF purpose. His loyalty to violence in
every form had an element of grandeur;
his power of waiting was iimitless, and he
derived a semblance of viearious virtue
from his open enmity to the representa-
tives of all official vices, the Min. These
latter, welded to nepotism, eXtortion, cor
ruption and injustice in every shape, were
necessarily opposed to all reform, and
therefore faithful upholders of Chinese
influence, which, in return, was always
exercised to secure them in Office.
Thus, when China's armies were driven
across the Yalu, and when her military
impotence became apparent, the fortunes
of the Min faction decayed, and each new
step of progress inaugurated by Japan op-
posed new barrier to their revival. All
the principal offices of state came into the
occupation of the independents, that is
to say, the liberals; the court was excluded
from any share in the administration the
finances were organized so as to check
wholesale misappropriation OF state funds,
and two battalions of troops, drilled and
equipped in foreign style, were placed be-
yond the reach of the Queens orders.
Such was the state of affairs at the end
of September, on the eve of Count Inouye' s
withdrawal from Seoul and replacement by
new Japanese representative, Lieuten-
ant-General Viscount Miura. 1t seems be-
yond question that had Japan been able
to push her programme of reform with a
free hand, Korea might have advanced
TRANQUILITY, though slowly, toward civiliza-
ton. But for the past six months Japan
has been graphing with an impossibility.
She has been attempting to direct Korean
affairs without authoritatively interfering
in them. The slightest exercise of control
involved imminent risk of intern atonal
complications, in view of Russia s attitude
and her support by Germany and France.
The Queen perceived this impasse Her
| political insight was doubtless strength
ened by spectacles borrowed from the Rus
sian legation, between which and the
palace the wife of the Russian Charge
d'Affaires constituted unique channel o1
communication. So long as Count Inouye
remained in Seoul the situation was safe
He possesses the rare faculty of exercising
authority without openly welding it and
directing affairs without stretching out
visible hands to guide them. But with his
withdrawal the Queens opportunity came
She seized it promptly. The authority o.
the Ministers was openly flouted.
Official appointments and removals were
made without reference to the Cabinet, ir
direct violation of the new administrative
organization. Measures were planned fol
restoring the executive authority to the
court. The personnel of the household
was raised from the legal limit of 600 te
over 1000. The new finance system wa:
dislecated to provide funds for the suppor
of this crowd of Min partisans. The sale
of official ranks was recommended. Clas,
distinctions were restored. The King one,
more began to exercise his puppet author
ity at the bidding of his clever wife.
Two of the Ministers found themselves
compelled to resign, and even the Premier
despite promise given to Count Inouy,
that he should never quit office excep
under irresistible pressure, showed plait
signs of weakening. Tho situation threat
ened to become desperate for the Inde
pendents, and in their extremity they hat
recourse to desperate measures. 1t is no
yet possible to speak in detail of the plo
that ensued, but its main feature was
coalition between the Independents ant
the Tai Won-kun, and the immediate in
/ strument employed was battalion of th
newly organized troops. These it had al
ways been the Queens wish to disband
and when the time seemed favorable col
lisions were contrived between them ant
the Palace Guards, pretext being thu
furnished to charge the troops with in
subordination and disloyalty. Their dis
~