The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-23
NOT 50 BAD As REPORTED.
DIR. WOODBRIDGE u. JOHNSON Ex-
PLAINS TROUBLE OVER KOREA.
No Further Mining Concessions TO
Forcigners-AmerIe Company
Is Doing WeIi-Jnpan Got the Best
of the Masam 70 Port Concession.


The prevailing conditions IN Korea are
briefly told In a letter received yesterday
by oloott Payne from an old college friend,
Woodbridge ID. johnson, who Is a practic-
me physician at Taiku, Korea DR.. John
Bon ana other Americans are about to
build homes in the far East and nave
written Mr.. Payne 70 ascertain II build
ms material can be secured from here at
q price that would warrant It's lmporta-
ton
The letter treats Of personal affairs and
Gays Koreans are very dirty. and arc
continually getting filth IA thelr eyes.
which results In much blindness and other
trouble. ! see by home papers that the
relations OF japan and Russia over Korea
have been very strained. I think you re-
cetYe exaggerated reports. II Is true.
however. thcy are watching each other
very. carefully, and japan Is exceedingly
Jealous Of her rival
Japan must have an outlet for her ever
increasing manufacturing trade, and this
country furnishes Il. That trouble at Ma
sam 20, the recently opened port on the
south coast, was case where Japan got
decidedly the best az II. VI. Pahlor, the
Russian minister 10 Korea, went down
there shortly before the land IN the for
eign concession. which comprised the best
place for docks, etc. was to be sold by
public auction. He secured a verbal prom
ESQ from the officials there. understand.
that certain lots be reserved for him, but
ho did nos put down any bargain money
10 tie things TIE sale came Of while VI
pablor was at homo on furlough. and
some japanese. apparently merchants, but
whether or not agents OF the government
! don't know, bought M everything in
sight Korean officials do not regard ver-
bal promises very highly NJ. Pablor is
disc ppolntcd. and now while in Japan on
his way back here complains considerably,
bun hts quarrel lies rather with the Korean
government than with Japan.
"poor Koreai the morals OF her officials
are ns low or lower than the Chinese
Utterly without backbone she yields 20
the strongest and last pressure made. En-
gland gave her an ultimatum about the
mining concessions which expired Janu-
airy q. Not long ago the Korean govern
ment declared that no more mining or
similar concessions should be given to for
eiEners Before this an English company
had applied for one. The British legation
has kept asking for an answer to the en-
glish company's raaviest, but has been re-
peatedIy put off in regular Oriental fash
ion. Finally II gave the ultimatum mat
unless a definite answer WINS received by
january n e would consider the eonces-
sion granted. ! haven't yet heard how II
como out but think the British will get
their concession.
.sThe Germans have already good one
as you know ana I understand the Amer
ican company north Of Pyeng Yang is
making lots OF money out of It's conces-
sion, I met an American last summer, c.
O. Coulter representing the CHICAGO
srimes-Herald and some mining people who
were looking for concessions here. He
was going home without having accom-
plishod anything.