The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-25
Risen from "Favoritev to First Place
in COrean Empire She wields
Much Influence.
THE IMPERIAL CEREMONIES
HER son ACCEPTED As THE FUTURE
RULER OF THE EMPIRE.
Position Of Women I'm Corea and The
cries as to What the New EN-
press May Do to Better 1t.
of the indianapolis Journal.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
TOXIC. Japan, Jan. 1.-All hail, Emily,
the first Empress of Korea of the blood
AmerIcan.
1t Is officiaIly announced in Seoul that on
the occasion of the fortieth anniversary Of
the enthroning of Han, Emperor of the
Koreans. on jan p, Emily Brown, daugh-
ter OF an American missionary. will be
crowned Empress and her son nominated
heir presumptive So by the time this let
ter appears in print an American woman
will be recognized consort of one of the
great monarchs OF the East, while her on
spring. who is at least half an American
boy. becomes the prospective ruler OF the
reformed hermit nation.
Up TO now the Empress-to-be has been
known as Lady EmiIy-or "Emsy,' as pro-
nounced in the Korean and japan tongue.
Her new name will be ''Om.' Morning
Dawn. This in itself is great compliment,
but the very fact that Emily was called by
name in Korea at all is most unusual, for
in the hermit empire women are nameless
beings, distinguished this ones sister,
daughter or wife," not as independent
personalities
As the late Colonel Cockerin. who knew
her well. told me. Emily made her resi-
dence in the palace conditional upon the
recognition Of her individuality by permits
sion to retain her Christian name. That
was in the winter of 1895, some time after
the tragic death Of Emperor (then King
Hans first wife. This American girl would
rather lose a crown than become a nonen-
tity. And her self-respect, determination
and courage WOE out in the end. Though
the poor American missionary's daughter
took up her residence in the palace as first
royal favorite," which is a perfectly legal
and socially established position in Korea
the highest honors were paid to her in
Seoul, as well as by the courts of Toxic,
Picking and ST. Petersburg. during the last
two or three years. The state books of
1893 already announce that the ''favorite"
has been elevated to the rank of imperial
princess. and now the full title of Empress
Consort follows.as set forth. So much for the
success OF an American girl in the far East
THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION.
Here is the proclamation issued by the
Seoul court:
After the death OF his wife the Emperor
of Korea married Lady Emily. The mar
rage was not gazetted. but his Majesty
conferred the highest honors on her lady
ship. His Majesty now causes to be pub
lshed that on the fortieth anniversary of
his ascension to the throne he will create
his wife Empress and her son crown prince
by proclamation. The future Empress of
Korea is woman of great intelligence and
ambition
The Emperor of Korea wished all powers
to send special representatives to his jubi-
lee and 10 the proclamation of the new
Empress at Seoul. but Japan and Great
Britain alone accepted. In making the an
nouncement the Toxic Court Gazette pays
a graceful compliment to the new Amer
lean Empress 1t says: in consideration
OF the important part her Majesty will play
in the politics OF the Korean court the gov
eminent OF Japan will send a member of
the Mikado's family to represent this en-
pire at the installation of Empress 'Om,'
formerly Lady Emily Brown.) Great
Britain" 1t is Furthermore announced, will
be represented by the British ambassador
in Toxic. Sir Claude Macdonald, and the
United States of America by Minister Hor-
ace NJ Allen (Ohio). Consul Gordon Pad
dock New York; and Capt. A. w. Brewster
(New Jersey. military attache."
Captain Brewster is stationed in Picking
the greater part of the year. but will go to
Seoul. where he is likewise accredited, for
the occasion. The Hon. McLeavy Brown,
head OF the Korean customs. and his ex-
cellency, William T. Sands, councillor of
the imperial central authorities in Korea,
will occupy seats near the throne at their
country-woman's day OF honor, and the
three hundred-odd American residents of
Seoul win do service guards OF honor
There is no doubt" says the Gazette
sa<L
Great Britain and the United States will
secure for these powers the friendship of
the new Empress OF Korea
The Official title OF the American girl
Majesty will be Chosen is Hap-Mun."
and hereafter she will wear only silken gar
ments embroidered with dragons. the en-
blems OF regal power. Every piece of fur
niture used by the quondam Emily will
have dragons sculptured around 1t. The
steps leading to her cottage are called 1.-The
staircase OF jade" and in speaking OF her
self. even to her own father. she must use
the imperial I'VE of Asiatic state docu-
ments.
In Korea the sovereign lady's person Is
hedsed around with such divinity that no
meaner metal than gold must ever touch
her august body, and IL an ordinary mortal
silouiu touSh hcf oy dccldent the individual
must ever afterward wear a red silk cord
around his or her neck
THE CORONATION PROCESSION.
Advices from Seoul say that preparations
for the coronation procession are pushed
with unusual energy. Painters and decor
aters are in charge OF all buildings along
the route. new pavements are laid and
old ones repaired and on Jan. q the roads
are swept clean and guarded TO prevent
traffic while the imperial cortege Is moving.
The new Empress viii be greeted by her
subjects kneeling. for the proclamation. is
sued by the mayor. says: "All doors must
be shut and the owner of each house will
kneei before his Threshold with broom
and dustpan In his hand emblems OF
obeisance."
The procession from the palace will be one
of the grandest speetacles the natives ever
witnessed Their Majesties' bodyguard and
train embrace many thousand persons, all
clothed liz silk There will be two sedan
chairs made exactly alike. but i'm which OF
them the Emperor himself Is riding no one
knows except the highest ministers. or