The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-03-22
FROM KOREA
Miss Lula Frey. One of the
Brave American Mis-
SiOnarieS.
Writes Entertainingly From the
Contested Battle Ground.

Mrs. Emily Frey has kindly allowed
us to make some extracts from let
ters received last Friday, from her
daughter, Lulu, one of the Methodist
Missionaries stationed at Seoul,
Korea. Miss Frey grew up amongst
us and is remembered as a modest,
pleasant, devoted girl, and our peo-
pie are much interested in her career.
She has the well wishes and prayers
of our community.
The American missionaries have
been censured by some for not leav-
ing Korea, before the war rcommenced.
But they have bravely staid by their
charges. The different denomina-
tions have some 100, 600 Christian con-
verts among the natives; have large
schools where the Korean children
are placed under their care, and
rather than leave the children to be
scattered and their flocks without
shepherds the missionaries have
braved the dangers of invasion by
the Russian and Japanese armies,
and have done mnch to assist the
Koreans. They have much influence
over the Korean. So far they have
had no experience with the Russians.
but late dispatches say the Japanese
soldiers treat the missionaries and
all with great consideration.
SEOUL, Korea.
Jan. End, 1904.
My DEAR MOTHER AND SISTER,
wonder If rumors have reached you
and if they are making you anxious.
There are days when we are holding
our breath to know what will happen
next. I feel as If l we're at the
deathbed of dear friend, for can
not see how Korea can maintain her
independence. The Japanese are
landing troops and storing provisions
in great quantities. An American
guard OF $50 men from Manila find
protecting us cold word work in con-
trast to their warm climate. We
fear no trouble for ourselves: only
feel sorry for the poor Koreans who
will suffer. Everything will be high
and work scarce. All speculation
God only knows what may be the
outcome of the present situation.
Jan 18th. fear my delayed letter
has given you needless worry. Affairs
have looked rather warlike for about
two weeks but as nothing has yet
happened, we forget we are in the
place toward which all the world is
looking. We fear if all the nation
alities brought guards Russian Amer
lean, Italian, English and perhaps
French, besides we know not how
many Japanese soldiers are here, we
would be short of rations, but do not
worry, for we do not. While Korea
| is the bone of contention there is no
especial grudge against the foreign
er for the Koreans are not in it; they
simply sit by and are looking to see
what will happen next. You know
as much, if not more of the political
situation than we do, but it looks
now, as If all that Japan wants is
'fair play"
Feb. 10Th. After mailed your let
ter of Jan. 18th, l found that was
the last steamer going, indefinitely
No steamer has gone or come in since
then. for you know, before now that
we are in the midst of big fighting
On the 9th 4 naval battle was fought
at Chemulpo. Two men of war and
one passenger boat were lost: at least
after fight outside the harbor, tn,
Russian boats went back inside dis
abled and rather than be captured
| by the Japanese they blew up TIVE
and set fire to the third boat. Oh
the same day the Japanese fleet wen
to Port Arthur and fired on the Rus
sian fleet, disabling at one time fou
battleships and two cruisers. w
hear later that nine others have bee
badly injured. Then they BON
barded the city that splendidly fol-
titled Port Arthur of which wrot
you when l visited there two year
ago. l cannot see how they coul
have accomplished anything, bu
they killed quite a few and we sha
probably hear of other victories owe
, there.
The Japanese seem bent on gettin
, into Manchuria. The Russian Leg;
tion had no flag over it today and t
night it is as dark as can be owe
there. We watched them prepa
ing for their departure. tn
Japanese gave them an escort and
Especial train to Chemulpo and til
French man-of.war takes them ol
We could plainly hear the report (
the cannons here, at Seoul, % mil,
!, away. Bishop Moore came on II
Russian vessel that was burned u
in the harbor and 1t has looked {;
f he would have to remain with Il
but a little tub of some sort ventur,
:. out tomorrow to Japan, so BishC
Moore goes on it and is kind enoue
to take this letter to mail in Japs
to you. Write as usual the lie
tiers may be held in Japan, b
Will iCaNh uS SuoiiCA VI AdANis v
had annual meeting only one da
lie but our guests from Chemulpo ha
II been with MS several days, leavil
id this p. IN.
nd, We have decided not to send I
children home to their parents
fear they will be married off to a
one in these exciting times, and
or our labor would be lost on the
he We think we will he safe We ha