The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-17
PRINCE MIN TAKING
 LIFE VERY EASY IS Not Worried About the Fu-
 lure of Korea NO COMPLAINT TO MAKE Praises the Russians and Japanese With Equal Fervor and Admires American Ladies-He Is a
 Great Sportsman.
NO COMPLAINT TO MAKE
BY PIERRE RosiER.

hOSiGi'
 Paris. April 16.-The parsonage here who seems least affected by events in the farthest east in His EXcellency Prince Min. Who. you may ask, is this prince? An outside member of the royal or impe- rial family of Korea and the most even tempered member of the corps diplo- matique He represents Korea and seems to take the serene views of Korean affairs that disem- bodied spirit might be supposed to hold and he expresses his views in fault less French He came 10 Paris 10 head the Korean commission at the 1900 eAhi- btion, and has remained on as diplomat ic representative. 1t appears that his family are not of the pure white race which form the aristocracy of his coun try; Manchu favorites of emperors changed the blood. Wherever he finds an income, he lives in handsome style in the Avenue d'Eylau amid every modern comfort and convenience, and success fully affects in his style of dress that of the man of fashion who belongs to the Jockey club and keeps a racing stud. The face bctraYs the Manchu blood He might be, were he fifteen years Nonnger the emperor of China in a European in cognito.
 Min protests that he has nothing to say against Japanese or Russians The em- press and empress-dowager of Russia are beautiful. estmable, and universally be- loved So is the empress of Japan. No- body could speak too highly of the Tsar or of the mikado Koreans can accept the firm friendship of either, if he re- spects the independence of their emperor fin tB D Hyderabdad is on an independent foot ing, and that the NiZam has no cause for complaining of King Edward bearing the title of emperor of India If the Nizam went to a reception at Buckingham pal- ance he would be placed In the royal circle as a sovereign. He has wives as many as he will. grants concessions to mining companies goes about in sover- eign state, and has every reason to be satisfied with his lot. What is essential Is that order be preserved, and no at tempt be made to force the Koreans rudely out of their habits. If they are allowed to see the European blessings of civilization, they will take kindly to them without being forced, but by de- grees
 Trouble With Reformers.
 The mischief with reformers is that they do not understand how if Is to root up people from their habits If they only understood how much better 1t is change by degrees Cthe prince emphasizes '.by degreesO the world would have been spared most of the wars that have deso- lated it. Look at the rush of Japan into European ways, of the great railway across Siberia, of the rushes in general that nations have been making in Eu- rope, Asia Africa and America what have they all ended in? Wars and ru- mors of wars. Every one wants to knock down pears before they are ripe-and break twig and branch in the operation The latest notion is to rush an American canal through the 1sthmus of Panama. The world ought to shudder at the idea. If it were a constitution for the state of Colombia 1t would be another matter. Constitutions are chalmers. A king or emperor should never be afraid to grant a constitution: and the more liberal he makes 1t the better. II acts on dlscon- tented subjects like a soporihc. Not bad reflection for far eastern
 Prince Min has a good opinion or the American mission and admires American ladies I wonder whether he improved his English in conversing with them as peculiarities of American speech give zest to his reflections. He is not without some knowledge of the Scriptures ac- ouired perhaps from his missionary friends He wishes that all heads of ,rtates. statesmen, and the yellow press writers, who drive them on should be brought to a right appreciation of the saving "the meek shall inherit the earth"
 Meanwhile. I suppose the meek are to be dealt with like sheep whom the shep- herd shares and takes to the shambles. If the meek are, as matter Of Tact, 10 Inherit the earth. the Koreans are des- tined to universal sovereignty.
 Studies Education.
 Min acted as minister of public nstrue- ton before he came to Europe, and con tinues to study educational questions and mbiects He ranked as a reformer but could not help seeing that the march of science and tue high pressure if causes is destructive of the easily-amused and eontented state of mnd, the best pre- servatiVe of all against revolutionary risinps, nihilism and anarchism. Prince Min likes to speak of the French consul at Seoul as an example of what may be aone by agreeable ways and the bN-de- grees method. The French consul Is hos nitable. and gives lunches and dlnnefs 'rhe servants are spreading taste for the French cookery they learn in his kitchen They knew nothing about cray fish as an edible until he discovered them in mountain brooks n his rambles round Seoul Every one HOW eats these fresh water fish. and one sees them at D. and in the palace. The cook there learn ed from the French consul's chef. When ever a consul is granted state audience he is asked to stay and dine, The eti- unette prescribes that the repast should be prepared in the palace by his own cook. and that the latter should provide the marketing at the emperors expense. ,rcvhsh prepared in the French way. took the fancy of his majestys chef and the emperor now eats them
 The Koreans are a big race and the 1pper class have European features and fair compexions Min has a secretary who resembles in stature fair hair, and straight features of the late Emperor Frederick The six feet high servants Of the emperor of Japan who attend at state receptions in liveries borrowed from those of the Emperor Napoleon's domesties are Koreans If the Japanese secure what they are now after, they will have Korean drum majors in their army, and, maybe, Korean palace corps like the Cent Garde at the Tuil- cries. The Japanese must seem pigmies among Prince Min's compatriots.
 Wanted-Good Gin Men Carpenters (bench hands)- Moobi,,ictS (lathe hap6SN