The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-24
om the Kansas City Times.

From the Kansas City Times.
 How large is the Korean peninsula?
 From north to south 1t is about 500 miles long and from east to west it's average width is about 135 miles. It has about the area of aKnsas and its popula- ton is estiamted at ten millions.
 What is its latitude?
 It is in the latitude of New York, Shi- cago and San Francisco. Its capital Seoul pronounced Say-oul, with the ac- cent on the last syllable) Is directly east or west, of New York. Seoul is in about the center of the country and has popu- lation of 100000.
 What is the climate?
 J. Sloat Fassett. a New York business man whose interests have kept him In Korea much of the time in recent years says in the Review of Reviews that as a rule the climate is delightful. It Is like that of the mountain regions of North Carolina.
 How Is Korea located In respect to Japan?
 From the southern coast the Japanese islands of Tsushima are visible and they are in sight of the aJpan coast.
 Is Korea easily accessible by ship?
 It has several fine, ice-free harbors with Russia covets and its rivers are navig- able for long distances from the sea. The chief obstacles to navigation ar the strong currents among the islands that infringe the western coast. the high tides on the same coast and the frequency of fogs, On the east coast the tides run from two to six feet; on the west, from eighteen to thirty.
 What is the physical aspect of the coun- try?
 It Is hilly but there are no high noun tains. Most of the rivers flow from east to west
 Who are the Koreans?
 They are Mongolans and so are kin to both Japanese and Chinese. They are taller than the Japanese and are described as robust, amiable, industrious, pleasure loving, kindly and generous. MT Fassett says they are not towards, but that they are broken spirited.
 What is their religion?
 They practice the ancestor worship of Confucius. but there is no national re- ligion beyond a superstitious belief fin spirits and devils.
 What are the chef occupations?
 Agriculture and the rearing of stock. They raise rice, barley, millet, wheat, po- tatoes, cabbages, beans, cotton, tobacco, apples, pears and small fruits. horses, cattle, pigs and chickens.
 Who Is the ruler?
 Emperor Yi Heui, who ascended the throne in 1894 He is reckoned the thir- tieth in the line of succession.
 What Is the government?
 It is an absolution in which the will of the emperor Is law. He consults with his cabinet, whose membership he changes Frequently The country is divided into districts, whose governors are responsi- ble to the emperor alone. They have ab- solute power of life and death and of the disposal of the property of people in their districts There is nothing to prevent any magistrate, at any time, from send ing his police runners to apprehend the person of any rich man, convey him to prison and subject him to torture. even to death, for the purpose ofextorting a part or all of his property No man has con stitutional or legal protection.
 What effect has this on the people?
 Mir. Fassett thinks that 1t has removed their incentive to thrift. The Korean, when protected he says is energetic and reliable.
 What does Korean trade amount to?
 At the eight treaty ports the imports are about five and one-half million dol lars and the exports about millions a year. Most of the trade Is with Japan.
 Are there any railroads in the country?
 A railway is in operation from Seoul, the capital. to the chief seaport. Chemul- DO (pronounced Che-niul-po, with the ac- cent on the second syllable). distance of thirty miles. Another line has been be- gun from Seoul to the port of Fusan, which is the nearest harbor to Japan.
 Has America any direct interest in oKrea?
 MT. Fassett says that so far as size of investment Is concerned Americans have large interests there than all other na- tions combined. They have constructed lighting plants for Seoul and are build ing the citys water works system Amer ican business men have engaged in trade within the country and in association with French and English capitalists they own an important mining concession in Nor thern Korea.
 How far Is Port Arthur fro Chemulpo?
 About 300 miles. It Is about 200 miles from Port Arthur to the mouth Of the