The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-14
EMPEROR OF KOREA
He Is Absolutely Ruled by His
LeWd Women.
KOREAN MORALITY LOW
Story of Ruler of the Disputed
Territory Retod

ana JAPANESE ilAAA - - ~ 49, -
result in a political movement against the
Boxer uprising in China few years ago.
In the event Of war foreigners, Of course.
will have TO take the usual chances, but
according to the best advices there is
really little danger of Americans being
singled out fer attack
According 10 the estimate Of an agent
of a New York trading company. when
has important commercial interests III
Korea there are about four hundred
Americans in the empire Onc-third OF
whom are women Most Of them are In
Seoul pronounced Sayole) which in their
language. means the Capital The men
are principally electrical engineers, sur
veyors. and mechanics engaged in com
plefing the long-unfinished railway from
Seoul to Fusan, sailors on ships. in the
harbors of Chemulpo ana Fusan, and
agents and clerks connected with the
commerce from the Pacific coast Of the
United States
The women, or such of them as are
mentioned in polite conversation, are
principally trained nurses in the two
American hospitals at Seoul, and the
wives and daughters Of missionaries. The
women not generally talked about are
those from the neither wOrld-from this
country as well as from England, France
Russia. and Austria-who have focked to
the disreDutablc little empire of Vi Heu1
because of the unlimited. freedom allowed
them there, and because Of the reckless
expenditures in supporting vice made by
the royal court and everybody connected
with it. Travellers who have been there
do not hesitate to say that for right
down. shameless Wickedness Seoul can
give cards. spades. and little casino TO
Brussels and Budapesth-which for years
have been considered the limit-and then
beat them both out
All his life VI Heui has been absolutely
ruled by women. At present he is a slave
to the fayorite Of his harem-a beautiful
Russian. said to be the sister of a high
government official at Moscow. She it
was. who when Vi was imprisoned in the
Japanese consulate after his wife was
murdered. rescued him and struggled him
away in her sedan chair to the Russian
consulate. The japanese made great
bowl about it, but the Russians would not
give vi up They built a special palace
ror him until il was safe for him to re-
turn - his own, and arranged il so that,
On case of attack, the apartments of the
Russian officers were right behind those
of the Emperor. The Russians helped vi
Co regain his lost power and induced him
90 adopt the title Of Emperor, instead Of
King. 4 mere King, they told him, was
nothing in the eyes of civilized nations.
From that moment the power Of the Japs
IN Seoul-a power which had been su-
preme since the Japs took it from China
began to dwindle. In that action the
little blaze was kindled. which now
threatens to burst into a worldwide con-
raGratiOn.
Naturally Vi did not forget the Russian
woman who had saved his life and made
e. possible for him 10 regain his throne.
Her influence over him soon became even
greater than was that Of the poor muir
dered Queen Min. and it remains so TO this
dag Vi Heui has not Yet dared TO make
consort of the favorite of his harem.
but there is talk in Seoul that he intends
T. do so if Russia gains the ascCndency
in the direction of the empire. Hitherto
he has been afraid Of his own people in
making this MOVIE The natives loved
Queen Min. They have never ceased to
mourn her murder They know that even
during the Queens lifetime. the superb
Russian woman had managed To acquire
a powerful influence over vi. and that a
knowledge Of II made the last days OF the
Queen exceedingly unhappy. Whatever
resentment a Korean has against his rul-
Ing monarch is based upon the circum-
stances of that murder.
The civilized world was never permitted
10 know very much about this murder
which took place one night in October.
1899. Queen Min was then al the height of
her popularity and power. It was she. and
not the foolish and frivolous Vi who ruled
the nation. She was "a clever ambitious
woman. who stood behind the throne and
directed the policy of the country Being
a cousin of the old imperial family of
China. her tendencies were decidedly anti
Japanese For this reason. it has been
alleged. conspiracy WIS set afoot for
her destruction.
The Queen was dragged from her bod
ooe nisht and cruelty murdered. Tho pal
ace was supposed 10 be- carefully guarded
Armed men were i'm every corridor. even
e. the door of the royal chamber. To keep
out the Jar.-; hut they were mvsteriousIy
missing ut this time. ana nobody has ever
undertaken 10 tell why. The Japs took
vi off 90 the consulate ard kept him a
prisoner until he was rescued 10y his Rus
sian favorito
When tho Russian favnrite wants VI az
"a herself sfo psr~uadss him To visit
PukhaIn. which Is tastn-s- in the noun
tains. q few miles out of the city. 1t is