The times., 1897-08-24

Under the law VI hich forbids the inherit
ing OF real estate under a nuncupative viii,
Bong sun PAX, who was bequeathed the
house No 2e19 Fourteenth street by Pom
K. Sob, The deceased exKorean minister
can neNer come into his inheritance. Per
sonal pTaperty, however, can he so dis
posed CT, and under the terms of the verbal
VIII, Bong sun PAX Will receive all the
personal property OF his distinguished
cousin contained in the residence.
This, as set forth in his petition, asking
for the appointment Of Attorney Renick
as administrators, is set out as household
and kitchen furniture, valued at $500. and
u box containing bonds to the value of
$4,000 I lis, according TO the authority
OF the hest probate lawyers, is undis-
Futably iis under the terms Of the viii
The house by law would revert to the
next of kin, who in this instance are
Mrs. Sob, widow of the deceased, Mes
DANES Clio and Ye, his sisters, all re-
siding III Korea.
But here another complication arises,
for under an enactm of Congress
several years. ago no foreigner can ac-
quire lend in the United States. About
the widow there can be no doubt, as the
wife becomes a citizen when her hus-
!idnd takes out naturalization papers. 1t
Is a question, however, whether the wo
sisters being aliens, are entitled to share
In the inheritance. Most lawyers huld
that they cannot, and that the sole
heir-at-law Is the wife, TO whom the title
10 the whole of the property would revert.
Other attorneys, however, hold that ii is
dependent upon whether MI. Soh ac-
quired the property before or after he
became II citizen.
By the act Of Congress making it un
lawful for foreigners To hold property in
this country it is provided that their right
TO receive property by inheritance shah
not be interfered with. Under this, it is
claimed, If the property was purchased
before Soh became d citizen, the sisters
could maintain claim TO their share.
Be this as ii may, it is highly improbable
that Mr.. Sof' 5 ralatives in Korea will ever
assert iheir claim 10 the property.
The reason that the widow and sisters
Were not mentioned in the VIII vas because
they are amply provided cOr out Of Soh's
large property in Korea, which was con
fiscatcd when he was eXiled, but which
was after ward restored To him. They will
thus be very wealthy and probably would
not take the Trouble 10 put in u claim
for property thousands Of miles away,
which. at any rate, is quoted in the in
yentory a. WORTH clear Of incunIbance,
OILY 81 600
Bs1 eren il they shoGld desire to do
So, 1t would he necessary for them TO go
before officials and make oath, which.
it is stated, Korean women never do.
This custom would Interfere. also, il
Jhey SHOULD desire to carry out the last
wishes of Pom Soh and deed the prop
erty to Bong Sun pok, for here also they
would have 10 appear before officials. 1t
weIld seem that The only way The prop
erty CouId be reclaimed would be for the
women kinfoIk TO COME over TO this coun-
Try TO II Ike personal possession Of the house
or TO find some modification OF the Dis
triot laIT or of the treaty with Korea
whereby one or the other of these legal
transactions could be made without the
tormalty OF appearing before the of
mcials. Otherwise the property VIII event
ually have 10 he sold, under the District
law, for unpaid taxes.
The house In question was purchased by
Mr.. Sob with the intention Of making IL his
permanent home and providing a home
for other unfortunates who might be
exiled from Korea.
Although he had shortly before his death
been appointed minister OF the privy COZ uncil
OF Korea he had no Intention af returning
to that country.