The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-28

There has been question among the well-in-
formed in the Far East Russias final possession
of Siberia and Manchuria and question as to the
development and advance Of those rich territories,
which occupy the same position to Korea the
Southern States do to Florida Hence, the ever
present probability of trouble in and Korea
until it at last becomes Russian possession
Comic Opera
Showed in Real Life
The weakness Of the Korean Government
if it is still free after the end of the war-con-
tinualy in danger from the Tonhaks and the army"
and half dozen preenders to the throne will hasten
such end. There is no describing the comic
opera features of the native administration of affairs
in Korea; one Korean edict would have made Char
ley Hoyt, that saddest and funniest of men, look
pleasant for a whole day. When the Russian who
took charge of Korean customs-which is another
way of saying became premier of the land-for
brief period in 1893, of the first requests that
to him from the palace for million dol
lars for Christmas candies.
The Emperor is ounded by a Cabinet; and how
ever sensible the Emperor may be, the idocy of his
Ministers goes unchecked A Korean custom re-
quires that every high officer support from his own
pocket every relative to whom he cannot give an
office. One Minister of Interior in 1893 in order
to give office to numerous horde of relatives
ousted experienced telegraph operators from impor
telegraph stations and installed in their stead
who had never seen telegraph instrument.
For three weeks not word could be sent out Of
Korea on the Imperial Korean telegraph line.
All Offices for sale, and every officer bleeds the
people to the amount of his advances and good
salary in addition. The poorer Korean is the safer
he is from the "hand of the law" which always
reaches for the pocket
not long ago reported to the Government
that the Tonhaks becoming dangerous in a
certain district. He commissioned to go to
the parts in question and restore order. He went.
Every rich man in the neighborhood was accused Of
being Tonhak until, by proof that rang with mel
low clink, he proved himself above suspicion.
Are you not afraid?" American missionary
asked noted TonhaL leader, famed for his cruel
ties.
"Oh, no." the latter replied with laugh 81 haven't t
any money with which to free myself"
Americas Interesting
Influence in Korea
After Americans began mining for gold in north
ern Korea, crafty Koreans of influence got permis-
sion to locate mines throughout the land; these they
located the site of any rich mans grave, and af
frmed that gold mine shaft must be sunk at that
point But little bag that ratified induced them
to to the next rich mans home
Yet there have been Improvements in Korea in
the past decade, as foreigners have been more and
admitted into the counsels of the rulers of the
land. Though Korea is an odd quarter Of the earth
for American exploitation series of strange Incl
dents and the wisdom Of those in control Of
American interests, especially that Of Minister
DR.. Horace Allen, has made America a power in
Korea. The first gold mines, railway and trolley
line were built in Korea by Americans; Baldwin
locomotives 60 screaming daily through those bare
hills Chicago bridge 100 feet long spans the
great river Han; and the American missionary so
ceties point Korea their richest field Of service
in proportion to the population