The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-12
PEACEFUL KOREANS ARE
NOW IN AFFECT TERROR
Nation Without Courage, Which
breads Clash of Arms-Its
Products and Customs.
INVESTMENT
Stan Correspondence of the Journal.

Stan Correspondence of the Journal.
CHEMUGPO, Korea, Jan. 1O.-In antici-
patton of war here the usually quiet cities
and peaceful citizens of Korea are in
turmoil Of expectancy and fear. Korea
is land without national courage and
the prospect OF a clash OF arms between
their conquerors, the japanese. and the
fierce Russians, whom they view with alb
Ject terror, has reduced the people, from
King to cooley, to state Of panic. They
have no feeling of partisanship. and if
war comes Korea will be found absolutely
neutral so far as the hearts of the peo-
pie are concerned. The country has no
army which should be dignihed by the
name. its military establishment consist
ing Of about 1900 ragamufins who more
nearly resemble brigands than soldiers.
Since the conquest of Korea by japan three
centuries ago the military spirit in the
Korean breast has been a minus quantity
and the average native, like Saxe's jolly
old cove. finds his most heartfelt senti-
ment to be "all / axes is let me alone.
The peninsula which forms Korea is not
more than COO miles long and the entire
country has less than twice the area OF
the State of Indiana The climate is about
the same as that of Georgia, although the
Korean capital lies in almost the same lat
itude as Indianapolis. The products Of the
soil are, many of them, the same as Will
be found in Indiana. Wheat, beans, pOta-
toes, turnips, .cabbages radishes, apples and
pears are grown, and with them rice, bar
ley, tobacco and sorghum. The natives
also raise cattle, ducks, pigs and stunted
horses, but sheep are unknown. The Ko-
rean IS much more of an agriculturist than
OF business man, by far the greater per-
eentage OF the people wrestling their liveli-
hood from the soil.
The Koreans are people without a fixed
national religion. Buddhism and Confucian-
ism are both found and Christianity has
gained some foothold through the efforts Of
missionaries, but the national worship is
largely of the negative variety, the people
being held in the thrall of fear of witches
and devils and demons. They are shift
less and careless race. The element Of graft
which enters largely into the administration
of the Kingdoms affairs keeps the poor
miserably poor and is a constant Eeance
of their holdings by magistrates decree.
As a result the people live a happy-go-
lucky, hand-to-mouth existence and the
tional character is largely a peaceable and
a hopeless one.
American capital is heavily interested in
Korea, and for this reason il is believed
here that America may be forced to at least
a defensive attitude in case war should
threaten the wiping of Korea from the map.
The Chemulpo & Seoul Railroad was con-
structed by Americans ana sold TO the Jap
anese. Americans, too, built the electric
railway lines in the capital city, Seoul, with
twelve or fifteen miles of suburban lines.
American capital is at this moment inter-
ested in the development of a water system
for the capital and il was American money
which installed the electric light plant Of
the same city. In connections with Euro
sions in the country and are interested in
various commercial enterprises. Seoul
with poulation of 100000 has offered many
attractive opportunities to American in
vestment, ana in the event of war a large
amount of American capital will be I'm dan
ger and the Americans here will look to the
stars and stripes for protection.
The domestic life of the Korean resembles
very much that of the Turk. man may
have but one wife, but the number of his
concubines is limited only by his income
Marriages are made by the parents, gen
orally without the consent of the contract
ing parties, and children Of both sexes are
maria geable after the age of twelve years
The Korean boy has no status until he is
q married man. After he has taken unto
himself wife his haircut is changed and
his costume rearranged and he becomes a
man among men. The women are held in
about the same amount of respect as those
and upper classes cover their faces in pub
lie and make most of their social calls
after dark. They are without legal status.
may own no property, and come and go
absolutely at the beck and call of the lord
ly husband. Korean children are we'll
cared for and despite the character of the
domestic life there is little cruelty or in
justice inside the home walls.
Chemulpo promises to play a prominent
part If war is declared. 1t is a small city
but OF great Importance as the seaport of
Seoul. The railroad which runs from here
into the capital is now owned by Japanese
capitalists, and it will probably be seized
and used for the transportation of troops
If the Mikado decides to occupy Korea At
the time this letter is written foreigners
here are convinced that war Is a certainty.
but opinion is divided as to its outcome l
find that sympathy is largely with the Jap
anese, although Russia has some sturdy
supporters among the foreign residents of
the Land of Morning Calm.