The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-13

nnanceS has been d1fhcult task, and
the dispensing of money the root of
vast evil. Everything has been for
sale in Korea, even the good will of
royalty; Offices such as governorships,
are purchased, the incumbents being
compelled first to get back their out
lay and then a salary. The taxation
laws are extremely heavy on the poor,
the rich often escaping. Owning two
bulls is considered misfortune among
the common people, since the owner
will be judged to have accumulated
money, and as likely as not will be
asked to loan money or his second
bull to the Governor The custom Of
flee brings in considerable income.
What proportion of Korea's assets gets
into the imperial treasury it Is diff
cult to say. From all sources the to-
tai receipt is small, and foreign in
triguers with money to their hands
have, in the past, had an influence
with the Korean Emperor. 1t has
been rumored that the recent Rus
sian concession in the timber lands of
the Yalu and Teumen was obtained
by means of a liberal bribe. And so,
next to the Emperor's fear of his per-
sonal enemies, comes his financial wor-
ries, which are perennial, and at times
of most serious character. The gov
ernment has been argued into spend
ing considerable sums for useful pur-
poses, such as internal improvements
and education. A number OF schools,
English, French, japanese, and Nor
NAL College are maintained, profess
sors and students, by the government.
A Clever Sort of Fellow.
The Emperor is personally pleasant
to meet, and we have it under the
hand of our American minister that
he is a clever, sensible man, desrous
of helping his land. Mrs. isabella
Bird Bishop, in recounting her inter-
view with the Emperor, noted his at
tention to and consideration of his son,
the Crown Prince.
II have seen His Majesty on two oc-
casions. Once he appeared at one of
the side gates of the new palace when
a game of tennis was in progress on
the courts of the Seoul Union, the for
eigners' club. When he appeared the
players stopped the game a moment
but proceeded when they learned that
the object of his visit was to "see the
game For some time he watched the
play, soon beginning to understand
It's leading features and applauding
good plays by smiling.
At the Burial of His Empress.
when again saw him it was un-
der marvelously altered conditions. 1t
was on the occasion of the burial of his
murdered Empress Min in November,
1895. The marvellous funeral pageant
which no pen could describe. had oc-
CURED in the early morning before
sunrise; the glittering sarcophagus
had been borne three miles out of Sc
oul, where, at O'Clock the next morn
ing, the interment was to take place.
Ten thousand dollars had been spent
by the Emperor in erecting buildings
In which to house for one night the
81. ~ r.f
tha burial.
'In the evening preceding the cere-
mony, banquets were spread for the
official and the unofficial guests, after
which all retired to rooms in the tenn
porary buildings. These were over
crowded. but as we were all to be
aroused at 2:30 a. m. those of MS who
found no cots lay down patiently on
the floors in blankets. Having some
sleep on a wide floor myself, / rolled
around until l was comfortably lodged
fairly against what l found out later
was q door to an adjoining room, which
was occupied by the Russian minister.
All this was made plain to me when
the ceremony was announced and his
exceliency fell over me in. the attempt
to get out.
"The sarcophagus was raised to the
summit Of the high mound, which con-
tained the mausoleum, on an inclined
plane. Beside this plane stood the
royal marquee, and in the doorway, as
the car moved slowly upward, stood
the King and Crown Prince watching
its progress. The darkness Of the
night the vast crowds and flaming
torches. the long lines OF soldiers and a
squad OF Russian Cossacks, the corps
dipIomatique IN their full dress. the
crowds OF Korean noblemen, all united
10 make the occasion one of the most
singular that ar occidental could ever
Witness IN the East"
Has Trouble with his wiyes.
Little II known of the family life Of
the Emperor ~ Korea and his wives.
In the days 0f the Empress Min. the
Empress was a political factor 0f
great consequence. This II not true