The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-07-02
GAVE LIFE
FOR OTHERS
How Japan-Corea Crisis
Originated.
ITO AND THE PREMIERSHIP
Unpopular Japanese Law Courts
The Plague Still Extant--Miscei-
Ianeous Items.

CFrom Oriental Filcs)
a. readers will know the chief cause
Of the present serious trouble in Corea
was the torture and death of one of the
refugees -kwon.-frOm Seoul, who came
20 Japan out OF the turmoil IN connec-
tion with the murder of the Queen OF
Corcu some years ago. A correspon-
dent Of the ". e. Daily News now sends
a description Of a remarkable meeting
and conversation with Kwon az Fusan
on his arrival there 10 give himself up.
The description throws new and sur
prising light on the strange tragedy
surrounding Ewon's fate.
In the port OF Fusan (writes the cor
respondent. whose letter IL undated)
changed steamers, takirg one for Che
mulpo. There were In the saloon two
nrst-class japanese passengers. We left
at one O'Clock, and at six met round a
table. four of us In all, the skipper in
cluded, TO share our rice with chop
sticks. The Captain spoke a little
Corean. and with him / conversed. but
the other two passengers were silent
one was dressed as a foreigner. the
other I'm silken kimono and japanese
slippers. seemed refined and modest
gentleman. with intelligent expression
stamped on n face rather badly SCARED
by smallpox. Next morning, as I sat
i'm the saloon looking over some views
that happened To be there. this gentle
man In silk gIided In and sat opposite
me. Evidently tsngsin (you) has been
many years in our country" said he.
I looked MP with start. for the accent
was too truly COrean 90 ever come from
~ japanese. Il thought you had come
| from the Rising Sun" ] said. but II Is
| evidently Morning Calm instead, Is 10
not . 81 am Corcan' was the answer.
''and we've met before, II I mistake
not. In Prince Eiawha's rooms In Toxic
four years ago." and then I recalled
| the face and name. KwOn Yung-chin.
He had been nn exile FIVE years, had
1 been branded as one Of the wickedest
and most influential Of all the rebels,
had formerly been Police Commissioner
of the Capital. and had gone 20 Japan
In January. 1896. just before the fall OF
the Kim Hongchip ministry.
| ln surprise / asked Where are you
going?" Back with "A message TO my
countryi" was the answer. They'll
take no message from you but your
head" That's what 1 mean 20 offer.
was his answer. II am going back e
give myself up. They regard me as
guilty OF death. and viii undoubtedly
behead me. but through my death
there II a plan 20 save my country"
left the subject and called up othei
things I'm order 90 find II the man was
mad. but a more sane, intelligent gen
tleman I'm other respects you nigh
travel far 20 see. He was posted on tn,
subjects OF the day. spoke OF the can
Ger which had eaten the vltals OF tn
lTransvaal, and Of how one selfish Kr''
=. ger had ruined n whole country.
touched on points Of history here an,
there calling attention 90 westerner
such "a Nelson. who had given his M
for his country. "All this goes on.
said he. while we. I'm the East sit II
selfsh contentment. and see our coun
tries die. These years that 4 have beei
in japan have been years Of plenty.
have many friends. but while I liv
, Chosen dies. 10 was not SO with Saka
mouh he left his palace and became
poor man. Jesus of Galilee elected &
die on the cross for the sins OF tn
) world. These were acts OF the God
but we men too have little ways 4
. which We can initiate. My people loo
upon the ruling classes rs aitogethe
b selfish. ITO die for ones country the
never heard OF. and 90 see such thin
: viii cause even the dullest 90 think an
IA is 20 wake my countrymen that
!. die Surely you VIII not die! Let
: meet again In peace; God will watc
over YOU" "If I live we meet. whe
you pray remember me-" was the r.
quest.
The steamer anchored at Chemulp,
\ telegram was sent 20 Police head
quarters: II am here. Kwon Yung
chin. YOU may arrest me. my life
yours" lie was at once arrested. an
e hurried up to the capital. where he no.
y lies In his noisome prison awaiting ser
tenCe. lie said 90 me last OF all "other
are going 90 follow" We ccrtainl
have fallen upon odd days In the his
< tovy Of Corea.
III tKwon Yung-chin. as late dispatcht
show. was tortured 20 death I'm spite
II the official protests OF Japan.l
u MARQUIS ITO DECLINES.
Uncertainty still characterizes the p,
10 utical situation. According TO the u
y Marquis 1to despite the earnest sole
= tatious of The Liberals, has decided
reject their reques, 10 assume the Ieat
ershlp of the party. Ills resolve appear
20 be based on the fact that the tin
= Is not yet ripe for him 90 form an ide
4 Cabinet OF his own. and an experimer
Io az the present moment would end
st failure. ON the srd inst. Count Natsu
kata. on behalf OF the Premier. visits