The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-12
some UNWRIITEN HISTORY.
Continuation Of ReCOlltCtiOnS Of The Be.
ginning Of The Oriental Var.
sHE ATTACK ON THE ClPITALOF KOREA
Some one Fired n Shot and IudisoriminRte
Firing Toiiowing-Ths Kings Inter-
view with the Foreign Ministers
and Cresham's Protest.


Appcnzellar, q native OF Lancaster Iar
and one OF the lrst missionaries VINO
reached Korea after its opening IN le'z'
was callel by native servant lie arose
and came 20 his front porch. The sight
before him aroused his wonder. Ihe
high hll ia front was packed with white
robed, frightened Koreans. Entering tne
yard or garden he happened 20 cast his
ewes 20 the back Of his place, which boI-
dercd on a part OF the broad city wall.
TO his utter astonishment he saw 30 lined
with fully armed Japanese soldiers e'l-
IDENTIFY prepared for action. The Koreans
were constantly moving Ike q nero OF
frightened sheep. and now and again the
echo OF a deep, mournful woiling "ouia
be waited through the silent aif.
At about quarter past the report
Of firearms were heard. and the yards of
tho handful Of foreigners in the capiial
wcro invaded by natives. begging for
shelter. AT the same time am order or
rived from the United states Legation TO
DISPLAY the stars and Stripes 10 was evil
dent that q conflict was taking place.
THE ATTACK.
The palace lay I'm deep rcpose. The King
had retired az A. NJ, after councl
with hts ADVISOR. for 10 SIS peculiarly
that these councils begin late nj ni8ht'
and extend 20 the early morning hours.
II
this fact. and 80 was upon this knowledge
that Otori. the Minister Of Japan acted.
Having posted his soldiers upon the walls
covering the rear OF the palace, he ADJ
yanced upon the front gate with small
body Of troops but amply SUFFICIENT TO
give a good account of the cOwaroly ho-
rean palace guard. 10 was his intention
20 burn the front gate, and thus to effect
en- entrance; but its massive frame pre-
vented the success OF this scheme, ale
though it was tried, as the charred wood
work proved A ladder was then pro-
curod-it was seen there on the same day
by nearly an tho foreign residents-and
the wall was scaled boy small party who
unbarred the gate. The Japanese entered
and marched upon the palace.
The noise had aroused the native
guard, but go frightened were they that
there was no thought Of resistance. And
yet "a shot was hred, but who did It re-
mains "a mystery 20 this day. 10 was,
however. a signal for slaughter. Ten ko-
Teans fell mortally wounded, while sew
enteen were hors de combat On the part
OF the japanese. one was killed and five
were wounded. The King. awakened from
his first slumber, now appeared and or
dered his guard 10 cease firing. A SER
want Of his, standing within "a foot of
him, was killed. and the Japanese, acting
as conquerOrs. took possession OF the
palace and grounds, uncoremOniously In
vading the Kings private apartments and
even INJECTING upon him the humiliation
Of personal aggression.
THE REASONS FOR 1T.
Before proceeding with the history Of
that ovontful day, IL IS necessary to ac-
count for the reasons which led TO this
unprovoked and want0n attack. The Ko-
reans were friendly to the Chinese, and
very hostile TO the japanese The inva-
sion Of Japan under Hldeyoshi or TaikO
Sauna In the closing years of the sixteenth
century vas still a nightmare TO the Ko-
reans Their history toemed with acts
of cruelty and barbarity committed by
these invaders. and. although they were
now kept In strict discipline. and paid for
what they received, tradition was too
strong 60 overcome this hereditary anti
pathy.
The japanese were well aware OF this
feeling. as also Of the fact that while the
Koreans have no patriotism, some of that
sentiment was transferred TO the person
OF the King. 10 was absolutely indispen-
sable 10 dispose Of the Chinese troops at
A-san, so as 20 establish communication
with their base of supplies But how
could the japanese army leave Seoul for
this purpose. leaving in its rear a large
Ordinary oircumsp ectiCn forbade such ac-
tion unless hostage could Doe found who
would guarantee the neutrality of the
Koreans. The only hostage was the
King. and 80 was for the purpose OF SEE
curing him that the palace was taken
"All Is fair On love and i'm war; says
an old prOycrb. and the trcacherous act
OF the Japanese would have been cXcus-
able. II they had openly acknowledged
The fact and blamed the necessity. but
instead Of that they published ridiculous
accounts. I'm which the invcrtebrate Ko-
reans appeared as the assailants and
the warlike japanese, as meek lambs.
driven into n corner and acting in self
defence; and the world believed their
falsehoode.
KOREA'S ONLY PATRIOT
Tho japanese had counted upon the co..
operation OF the Tai-won-kun or eN-
Regent the father of The King. and the
only patriot Korea possesses. no man
e has leen moro revilod than he. because
Shey could not make a tool of him. He
did however, proceed 10 the palace. and.
with courage and dignity which ahashed
the invaders OF the palace. rebuked them.
and caused them 90 evacuato the royal
apartments
The report Of the firing had awakened
Gil the foreign residents and. as stated
hforo. their houses were thr0nged with
fugitive Koreans. Members of the
Queens family. the Premier and many
Cabinet ministers. with their wives.
thinking that their last day had ,come.
had fed TO the United states Legation.
where Hon. j. y. y. sin did everything
in his power 10 roassure them. General
Clarence II. Grcathousc resided with his
eevonty-six-ycars-o mother I'm a. place
rln1r tho r,nfaaa Tho vntrc ~ fhf nffa.iI
was soon brought 20 him. Accusing his
mother. DE took her to the United
States Legation for safety. and then
proceeded 10 the palace Here ne found
a japanese guard and sentry. He passed
without stopping. merely saying 81 am
an American citizen. and demand 20 see
the King. When he arrived az the palace
some attendants were carrying out the
body OF the man who had been shot with
in a foot OF the King. lie found the
palace in the utmost confusion. no one
being able TO give directions until the
Tai-won-kun appeared. But 10 was sey-
oral DAYS before order was restored.
The forcign representatives. while per-
Gonelly highly indignant 40 the ruthless
action OF the japanese. We're powerless
20 Interfere. and could not even commu-
nicQte with their respective governments
since the japanese declined forwarding
dispatches i'm cypher. Under these cir
cumstanccs. they merely acknowledged
receipt OF Otoris very lame circular note
giving IFS account Of the affair. But Mr.
SIN. as dean OF the diplomatic CORPS
communicated with the King and in re-
turn he. with the other representatives.
were requested 20 call 40 the palace on
the afternoon Of the following day.
TRYING DAY FOR THE KING.