The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-13

corrupt and cruel, but from her stand
point. measured by the morals OF her
own ieoplc, she was most cstimable wo-
man, wise, patriotic ana worthy of ad-
miratiOn. Her chief ambition was the
selection OF her own son. Il weakling In
ndu on IND as the %s of
rca may choose the heir to the crown
from among the male members of the
ncd by tho ministry, and through her In
huence her boy has been made the crown
prince.
Her enemies, led by Tai Won Kun and
japanese minister. assaulted tn, palace
in October. 1895, and murdered her in Il
body in a grove near by. Shortly after
the old prince parent. who is perhaps the
wickedcst man alive, was overthrow
again and the friends; Of the queen were
sary for We Wha the eldest brother of
the crown prince, to leave the country in
order to escape consniracies that were
aimed Mt his life. In Korea the sons of
concubincs are legitimate. Tho king is
allowed several wives. and no distinction
Is Is, made made In Tho social or political rights
quite as much entitled to the succession
ms his younger half-brothcr. the prince
imperial, in kuk or Sci,ja (Son of the
World. as he is commonly called by the
people, because his personal name is so
sacred. like that Of the king, that they
dare not speak it.
ing for the throne, but the other whose
partisans are considered dangerous is Yc
his eldest brother I.ik., Yc Wha, he is an
exile and is living in London. lie is the
candidate of the prince parent. Tai Won
kmn, and has been involved in several
conSpiracics for III, overthrow OF the gov
crnmcnt. For time they had him in
prison at Seoul. but afterwards sent him
out OF the country.
To escape the vengeance of the parti-
o. hnr hale Il
child We Whit WAS sent to Japan where
he remained for Il year OF more closely
watched ~ The Koreans residing in that
country. lie attended the famous school
OF Mr.. Fukl%awa and was taking n course
III modern languages when lie was advis-
ca mat MS life was not safe and that he
iiHd better go to America. Tho Korea ms
nave Il savage way OF getting rid of I'M
popular politicians. Only two or three
years ago Il prime minister, who had fled
to China, was invited down 10 Shanghai
Tor Il conference by some agents of Inc
government. and when he entered their
apartments they calmly cut his throat.
Another gentleman of distinction who
TOOK refuge in Japan WAS visited by n
couple OF agents AT II hotel in Yokohama
ana would have suffered the same fate
but for his suspicious ana Il convenient
open window.
Mindful Of these incidents. Nc VIVA de-
lcrinlncd TO get ont OF so dangerous q
come to the United States with tile Rcv,
Or. Gale, presbyterian missionary who
had been in Korea for several years and
was on his way home for vacation
but The agents Of the government III Tok,
70 detained him and MIR Gale smiled
alone. But ten days later Yc Wha. who
hhd ms tickets, Slipped down 10 Yokoha-
ma. went hboarh the Pacific mail steamer
and concealed himself until after it LEFT
the hhrbor lie WAS unable to bring any
baggage and started for San Francisco
with only the clothes he wore on his
back. But the officers of the Gamer
We're Kind TO him and gave him every
thing he needed.
When he reached San Francisco he
started at once to Washington and Joined
his friend, Sob EwanE Pom, another cx-
He, VINO had been prominent in the gov
eminent FOR many years but was deeply
involved in the conspiracy to assassinatc
the queen. lie was member OF the cab
met organized by Tai Won Kun after the
assassination, and signed the decree
which degraded the late queen from her
Imperial rank 10 the lowest caste of The
Koreans. He was also Engaged In a con
Sniracy to murder the queen and over
throw the government In 1851, but was for
given and restored to favor and power
After the government OF Tai Won Kun
was overthrow in 1886, Sob thought il
advisable to leave the country and came
TO Washington, whore he purchased a
house on 18th street that was the asylum