New-York tribune., 1899-01-04
THE DEATH or KIN HONG-NTTK.
TRrE SIGNIFICANCE OF AN INCIDENT IN Scout.
COREA

COREA
Homer p Hubert head master OF The Normal
School OF Seoul Corea who IS in this city. yes
terday offered explanation Of the press dispatch
attributed 70 the "Novoe Vremya." in which the
anti Russian party" in the Corean capital
charged with the barbarous murder OF the Corean
ex-dragoman Of the Russian Embassy" He speaks
with some authority. as an American who has
lived for twelve years in Corea- and who was
quainted with the man who put 10 death
This Dispatch" said Mr.. Hubert. rs typical
piece Of ex-parte writing. which reflects upon
American missionaries and employees o, the Corean
Government inasmuch It says. IN speaking OF
the execution and mutilation OF Kim Hong-Niuk.
All this occurred in a country blessed with Ameri-
can and other Christian missionaries, and where
American officials occupy influential posts in the
Corean Government service
In the first place the correspondent Of the
Novoe Vremya' speaks OF terrible crimes by the
anti-Russlan party. This implies that there Is In
Corea somewhere ro-Russian party. but the fact
IS that with the exception OF Few venal officials.
who depended upon Russian influence 10 put and
keep them IN posts Of honor and ernolument. and
who without that influence. would fnd themselves
stranded there Exists In Corea pro-Russian
party In fact this act ot muta,ion perpe-
trated by the people OF Corea expression OF
their hatred not or the Russians primarily but Of
the personal character and acts OF Kim Hong
Niuk
Now what Of this man who executed by
imperial decree and then left 10 be mutilated
by the mob? He not as the correspondent OF
the 'Novoe Nremya says ex-dragoman OF the
Russian Embassy He was the official interpreter
and confidential agent OF the Russian Minister II
was not he who safeguarded the removal OF the
Corean Emperor 70 the Russian Legation, He
doubtless had less 70 DO with II. but, as II
ie we'll known n the present Corean Minister
70 the United Sta.es 10 whom most OF all is due
f. I. r~Nr
tical durance In his palace. Il was 10 no Russian
mission house that the King brought. but 10
the imperial Russian Legation Al these express
sions are intended 10 create sympathy for Kim
Hong-Niuk II he was a mere dragoman his exc
cution q cruelty excessive punishment II ne
was FOR the time being the most powerful Of all
Corean officials and used that power 70 hood~ink
the King and rob the exchequer OF the kingdom.
then he was a traitor and well rertet his end.
NO sooner had the King become settled in the
Russian Legation than Kim Hong-Niuk. by virtue
Of his position Russian interpreter. found him,
- ne s,,S H. 80 ySosa names and yrt,,es
were brought the Kings notice by him II was
Wei known al what price any Ioverninent olncs
could be procured through him Time ana asain
those who knew what he doing demonstrated
with the Russian Minister. and begged tnat TINS
mans acts be investigated. but without enect Al
RIM @ ,bn,-,b b vos practically traitor 70 his
Government From the moment that the hussian-
entered he situation last spring il was foregone
conclusion that Kim HOng-Niuk would sooner or
later be brought TO Justice There was perhaps no
direct charge OF treason that could be orougnt
against him and Il more than Hkely thal tnIs
e-ort against the Kings life was mace PREY
for -elzing and killing him. but no one VINO KNOWS
the man and his career will FOR moment car ~ d
miscarriage OF Justice This act OF oaroarity was
simply COrean lynching, repreneilss.o.e ..' -, ~,
method and lamentabe in It's mora influence; % one
stiU affirm that IL demonstration OF 'l-
letestation in which such evi men arr ,,e !, ,ov
the ,orean people and back of 1t and unIer II "a,
desire for ana determination 70 get some sort "a
,fvu liberty No American citizen IN 'orrH WYNN
gor "a moment cOndone the extreme FORM WIN
clothed the demonstration. but none cou,1 ,.,re
-,-+birg htt, nrsisa FOR the evidence ol uesie
sor and appreciation Of civic virtue IL ora al
has been written down and talked % COW. ,na O,- ".
- nm, rhe Americans IN COrea chnnot - yipa
LIE with any such attempt as this 20 nov @ aIa1
he country Is not capable OIL ooD"P-'r"'
ernment In the near future