The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-02-12
THE POSITION OF KOREA

Japan hopeless Unfortunately the
Governments Kingdom powees prevent either
the advance OF Russia the steady spread of Japanese influence
possesses neither army navy which be
while she is in that position which country placed
when unable raise its voice upon its own behalf Korea the
helpless happless port OF Japanese caprice or Russian lust and
lis impossible contemplate without the ultimate
fate OF little kingdom.
quite destitute OF any form OF constitutional
Indeed the qualities OF there be described
las benevoenty despoc The ren OF autho concentrated
Emperor who administers the functions of his
with the assistance of Council of Ministers Life in Korea
lis the officials corrupt the administration of the
laws is lax. Officers of every grade underpad and officials
pecuaon of the Imperial funds the acceptance of
brides There very little public spirit in the Government and in
dvdasm encouraged The OF the country de-
rived the proceeds of the maritime of Korea presided
Mr. MacLeavy Brown c. NJ g. and staff of foreign
|sistans; concessions Which Imperial
Prvy royalty and from local taxation
Indirect and direct the people suffering
little misery consequence of the many contributions the I'm
p exchequer which drain their In the MAN, Korea
lis agricultural country cereals rice beans wheat and barley
eonhned TO ana mining suPPes a some COTTON goods
The trade with Japan in large degree with China in lesser de-
with the world beyond these countries hardly all Korea
land of great natural spendor The mountain quite
superb and there spacious harbors The rivers in
land navgable few instances The people
are doce without enterprise ambition peerrng Of
deness and peaceful secusion the noorey which has
fallen their borders The future OF the country uncertain
contained promise of development but should break
in the end not at all improbable that this prospect will be
ruined through the anarchy and consequent uphava OF
cial interests which will follow i'll its train
The army of Korea exists only in the imagination of Korean
oficialdom 1t useless institution but until quite lately
without picturesque note in its attire Now however
adoption of foreign uniform has robbed Korean soldier
of his claim serious consideration which Imperial
decree abosng topknot throughout service
her emphasis AS today the uniform comprises blue cloth
unc with large brass buttons blue breeches leather Shoes and
canvas CATERS The regena number ecorates the shoulder
strap Rife bayonet, and wastbe with ammunition pouches
blanket waterboe and hedit weighing
pounds carried active service The uni
The uniforms of the Imperial Bodyguard regiments made
time in France since then however, the military workshops
Japan have been responsible for the entire supply The strength
OF the Korean army has been returned by an Official OF the Korean
Legation in this country fifty thousand which, in times of
might be increased hundred thousand effective
trained This is unfortunately and point of
fact the armed might of Korea would be routed utterly by
the army OF Korea might be given at fifty thousand since the
greater the strengthen paperhe easier would be for the
Chief the Forces enrich himself. Apart
this consideration the strength OF the OF Korea might boast
perhaps thousand recruits who attracted like every Ko
by the prospect of receiving something for nothing would
willingly the eight Korean pay day. with uniform and
rifle included for the privilege OF allowing the Government
slider them soldiers The regiments OF the Imperial Guard,
stationed in Seoul capital of the empire slight
edge foreign drill is however, very limited and in its
sngularly defective Indeed uniform foreign
STYLE the appearance of these men upon parade needs only the COM
handing genius of the inimitabe Mr. Dan Leno mpa the
atmosphere OF pantomme at and finely
humorous Apart from the OF the officers have been
trained Japan and throughout the service indications of
Japanese influence be observed Moreover it difficult with
the reforms which have been introduced into the Korean army
distinguish Korean from Japanese soldiers the compeXlon height
and general appearance both being similar Ii anything
Korean the better looking mantle Japanese the
odiery but with that comparison there difference
the being halbrotler of
The of Korea comprises assoted collection of
weapons which the bows the long
muzzeloadng length of iron piping of ancient days the
modern Mauer with magazine attachment There
cites of rifles in the Korean service complete list including
examples of the Martini Gas Mauser Berdan and Nraa
There also many smoohbo muzzeoading muskets which
discharge vertab arsenal of round sodron pellets The
is confined to single steamer formerly coalighter