The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-29

eli time the freedom OF the kingdom. The
removal of Mr.. Brown seems to have stirred
up Great Britain, however, and the reported
demonstration by seventeen war ships of
Chemulpo is the result.
AT the treaty of Shimonoseki between
CHINA and Japan, at the close of the late
war. Corea was declared independent
power and given the freedom to select for
advisers men from any foreign nations who
seemed useful. Since that war Russia, has
been waging a conquest by means of stealth
and a shrewd use of money. Corea is to-
day bound hand and foot. Ever since Rus
STA stretched her borders until they touched
Corea on the north for slight distance
nothing has been left und0ne to court the
good will of the Corean people. Coreans
have passed over by thousands into Russian
soil until now there are many COrean viii
lagos living happily under the dominion OF
the Gar. Friendly offices were exchanged
by putting the Corean capital Seoul, Ill
touch with Europe by means OF the Russian
imperial telegraph For a long period Rus
STA has been endeavoring TO have her Of
hcials allowed to train the CoTean army-a
task usually granted to foreigners. Until
recently her efforts in this direction nave
been futile. Now, however, the Japanese
officers have been relieved and Russians
have succeeded TO the posts. VI Chal- un,
the brilliant governor of Seoul. has been
q strong character in COrean politics, ana IN
him Englishnlen and Americans alike have
had great faith. His efforts for a progress
sive governmental policy since the Japan
China war have been such as to stamp MIN
q true friend of new COrea.
Great was the disappointment of all for
eigners and patriotic Coreans when It be-
came undoubted that the Governor Of Seoul
had been brought over by Russian intrigue
to favor the Russian conquest. .shich is
now all but completed. The preamble OF the
Russo-Ccrean agreement is as follows:
According to the request Whlcn was
made by his imperial Corean MaJesty
through his envoy extraordinary and min
lister plenipotentiary. Minister YungWhan,
the imperial Russian government has sent
to Corea Kurii Alcxeief q. councillor OF
state and an experienced financier, to super
intend the financial and customs ad.niniS-
trations OF the Corean government mere
FORE the Corean minister OF foreign arGlrs,
Ono Pyengsik, and the Russian charge
d'affaires, A. De Spcyer, representing their
agreements as the conditions upon which
Kuril Alexeen shall act as financial MAN.
ager for the Corean government; ,.,o4,os
Article records the following StlpulatlonS
as to the new advisers duties:
'.He shall prepare the annual estimate or
coming expenses and prepare the annual
budget; he shall receive all the revenues OF
the government. keep the same and eXpend
them advantageously; he shall pay the run
posed by the annual budget; he shall issue
a monthly statement Of expenditures. com,
pairing same with budget headings; ne shall
improvise ways for paying old debts ana
making new loans"
Article 8 contains these remarkable stipu-
latlons: -
countries is such that it is not necessary to
decide the limit of the duration of TINS
l..
good indefinitely But whenever Corea mas
among her own people one whose financial
ability is competent TO fill the chlef adj
Viser's position, then said eh1eE ADVISER may
be released from his post after the TWO
governments have come 10 ar agreement On
the subject Except Coreaa or Russian, no
one Of any other nationality shall be en-
ployea. This agreement snail terminate az
any time by the common consent of both
governments.
This article is noticeable in several par
ticuars. For one thing it insinuateS that
there are not friendly relations between
Corea and other nationaliiies than Russia.
OF the many contracts now held by Amert-
cans British and Japanese with the Corean
Governments there is not one which is not
limited as to time. Again no one, even a
Corean, can hold the position or chlef ad-
wiser unless In Russia's opinion he is com
petent'' to fill it; and no one but Russian
or Corean may be employed in the govern
ment service. This is a direct blow at
Americans and Englishmen who have been
enjoying the privileges or the IaVored-ha-
tions clause. Lastly, this agreement can
not terminate without the consent OF Rus
STA.
see how this lOng-Suffering nation could be
more tightly bound hand and foot. In such
q state as this it goes without saying tnat
the hand that controls the finances ana
customs is the power behind the throne.
Compare this document with other proto-
coils by which strong powers have ever ex-
erted their paternal sovereignty over weak
er states In no way does this resemble
the European supervision or the finances
OF Greece. Inc COMMISSIONERS VIII act do
advisory board in that instance, are APP
pointed by six OF the powers; in the case OF
Corea, by only one. Even in Egypt other
powers beside England have voice in the
administration of the finances, and indeed
no one ever considered Egypt otherwise
than as a dependent power.
From legal standpoint this agreement
is thoroughly unconstitutional. The Corean
law is that no minister of department
is empowered to make stipulation or con-
tract with any party or parties without
obtaining previously the approval of the
throne. When a foreigner is to be en-
ployed by the government, the legal form
is that the minister of the department de-
string his services shall draw up contract
and submit it to the council of state. When
signed by this body, by the minister of the
department and by the minister OF foreign
affairs. it becomes valid. In the remarkable
ell of state knew nothing whatever of the
appointment This seems to many an IN
controvertable argument that the new chief
advisers appointment was brought about
by questionable means to say the least.
But more than that. This is not only
contract with an individual for his services,
irregularly made. it is an agreement made
and signed by unauthorized lin the case or
Corea, at leasD agents between two I'M
perial governments. One of the most i'm
portant powers exerted by government
is exercised when that government binds
itself in an agreement with another power
That this has been done by a minister.
without the consent of the Council of
State the highest tribunal save the En-
peror is an earnest that the whole affair
is the result of political intrigue and an
peror himself, If he gave his consent, is
M ~