The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-06

Though Korea is a nation far below
the first class, it has so happened that
the American representative there has
been. and is now, struggling with
problems which would tax any min
lister; and those acquainted with the
Far East read the messages of Hor-
ace N. Allen with utmost interest at
this critical time.
DR.. Aliens career is one of singular
interest, for it has been very seldom
that a foreign diplomat has been re-
cruited from the ranks of a missionary
society. Minister Allen knows Korea
from the coolies who sing at their
work in the streets to the Emperor.
For ten years now he has stood at the
helm of American affairs. The posi-
ton has been difficult, because moth
ing in the way Of commercial pro-
motion has been sacrificed, and yet
no political or territorial rights have
been asked. More than once the EN-
peror of Korea, has sought admission
to the American legation, but it Is
not an asylum for political despon-
dents, and entrance has been denied
his majesty. And yet in this time
America has acquired more CONNER
cial privileges in Korea than all other
Aliens efforts concessions for gold
mines, railways and trolley lines were
first given to Americans, though hav-
ing been previously refused to others.
A Buckeye state Man.
From the viewpoint of Americans
in the Orient, DR.. Allen began life
right by being born in Ohio-in Della
ware, in 1858. Nearly all America S
representatives in the Far East hail
from the Buckeye State. But from his
appearance it would be right to judge
that he had been raised ON one of the
granite hills of New England, for he
is tall and extremely thin in face and
figure-a living image, in many ways
of Uncle Sam.
Being graduated with honors from
his home college - Ohio Wesleyan
University-Mr. Allen passed on first
to Columbus and then to the Miami
Medical College. Completing his
work there, the new-fiedged physician
set his face westward to the Far East,
and with his wife-a classmate at
Delaware-went to China as a medi-
cal missionary, in 1883.
In 1882 Korea made her first treaty
with any Occidental nation, and that,
NnO0Shg Noo WAbA NAA~
United States. The missionary So
ciety with which DR.. Allen was con-
nected was eager to enter the hermit
nation, and soon a cablegram of a
single word was placed in the young
physicians hand in Shanghai; it read:
Korea" The meaning was clear
an attempt was now to be made to
introduce Christianity to the strange
unknown peninsula between Japan
and Northern China. 1t was a deli
cate and dangerous appointment, but
by Dr. Aliens introducing himself as a
physician 1t was believed that the
great work of missionary endeavor
could be begun. DIR. and Mrs. Allen
went to Korea; and the American
representative, Gen. Lucius II. Foote-
sent out in 1SS3-assisted them in CIV
ing the doctor a nominal status as
physician to the American legation.
This was in September of the year
1884.
In the Chinese Uprising.
Three months later occurred what is
known in history as the emeute of 1854.
1t lasted three days, beginning at an
official dinner, at which six Koreans
were murdered; another Korean,
Prince Min Yong TX, a near relative OF
the King, was terribly mangled. The
gray, old city of Seoul was filed with
terror as the Infatuated mobs ranged
the streets. The emeute began as an
anti-Chinese uprising, but turned into
an anti-Japanese riot, and foreigners
of all nationalities fled hastily down the
zig-zag pathway, twenty-seven miles
long, to Chemulpo, the seaport of the
inland capital.
But when all were gathered in safety,
DR.. and Mrs. Allen were missing. The
mans opportunity for signal service
had come, and though surrounded by
treachery and intrigue, the young
physician and his wife would not leave
the grooming victims of the bloody
emeute. When all others had gone, the
American doctor and his wife made
their home in the American legation
and raised an American flag over IL.
Allen wrote his American friends at
Chemulpo that they need not expect
him and his wife, for they were not
coming.
1--WE couldn't if we would" was his
laconic way of putting 1t, land we
wouldn't IL we could. / came to do Just
such work. l can't leave these wound
ed people. We shall live in the lega-
ton with the old flag flying, and trust
the kind Father to care for u.s.
So the Aliens remained in Seoul.
where building were burning and bull
lets now and then whizzing in the
streets"
The doctor was soon called to the
bedside of the m'angled Korean Prince,
Min Yong TX. 1t was a crucial mo-
ment I'm his life; indeed, in the history
of Americans and American interests In
Korea. A dozen Korean doctors stood
sullenly back when the young Ameri-
can physician was introduced into the
sick room; they had brought their
black wax and were Just ready TO melt
It and pour II into the gaping wounds
TO heal them. II the American failed,
his cause was lost; N he succeeded the
revolutionists, who had attempted the
Princes life. would settle IN their own
way with the foolish man who came 10
save the very life they had tried 10 end.
saved the Princes Life.
without hesitation the young man
set 10 work; the Korean doctors look
cd on. as well as Chinese general,
while the nimble hngerg found and
tied Abe streaming afterifb and sewed
up the fickeninE wounds. The on
lockers were amazed AZ SHE success
81 the quiet physician. The Chinese
general thought this treatment vas