The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-05-13
interesting Information Issued
by the Department of Com
merce and Labor.
1T WAS STARTED IN 1876
In That Year the Two Ports of Gensan
n Fusan Under Pressure From
Japan Were Thrown Open to
Trade of That Country.

hlent OF and labor through its
bureau of statistics. 1t discusses CONNER
clal and other conditions in Korea, show
ing area, population, transportation facili-
tles. railways, telegraphs, postal service
ana loreisn commerce, including imports
ana the countries from which they are
drawn, and exports and the countries to
which they are sent. The population OF
iNofea the monograph in question puts at
about lo,090.NO in round numbers, the area
at about equal to tina of the state of
Kansas, and the foreign at
ABOUT Sl2,rop,0CO of which imports form
about St,oo0,N0. A part of the Chinese en-
pire prior to the Christian era, Korea re-
manned under the control of that country
uhtll about the end of the sixteenth CEN
fury, when the Japanese sent a large in
Vadlng army Into Korea for the purpose of
driving out the Chinese and taking pos
session. The japanese rule, however, was
comparatively brief. and in 1927 the people
OF Manchuria placed the country under
Vassalage, and until 1891 Korea recognized
the control of China by sending tribute
bearing missions annually to Picking.
In 1894 an instruction led the country
to ask aid from China, and Chinese troops
We're sent. This action, being looked upon
by the japanese as a step toward the
complete control of Korea by China, pre-
cipitated a war between China and Japan
In 1884, which resulted favorably to Japan
and was ollowed by a remuneration of
Chinese sovereignty by the Korean king,
the substitution of Japanese for Chinese
influence, and the introduction of many
important reforms under japanese ad-
Visers. These reforms included adjust
ment OF taxation, abolition of slavery. es-
adjustment of educational Institutions.
introduction of a postal system, member
snip in the international postal union, and
a reform of the judiciary.
commercially the development OF Korea
begins with 1876. when two ports, Gensan
ana husan, were, upon the insistence of
Japan, opened to trade with that country
only. In 1882 Admiral Shufeldt. of the
United States navy, visited Korea and
secured a treaty of friendship between the
United States and Korea by which Amer
lcall vessels We're given access to its treaty
ports and the safety of American vessels
and citizens assured. This was followed
Britain in 1883. Russia and Italy In 1854.
france In 1856, Austria in 1882, and China
IN 1875. The formation OF the treaty be-
tween Korea and the United States in
1857 Was Immediately followed by a visit
from a Korean embassy to Washington,
sent TO exchange Publications Of the
treaty. From this time forward Korea
was opened to foreign trade and western
civilization. and the Korean government
established Its legations In the United
states and other great commercial ma
ions. With the opening of the treaty
ports and the establishment of
an official record Of Korean imports and
exports began. This shows imports in
1884 amounting to about sSOO,oOO and ex-
ports amounting to S475,0 Goo. BY 1880 i'm
ports had grown to So $50, 600 and exports
70 S2,9io,GOO. In 1894 imports and exports
fell considerably below those of 1890, but
IN 1897 again increased. being for that
year of Imports about s5.0oo.o0o and ex-
ports about $4,000 600. In 1902 the imports
at the treaty ports amounted to about
sh"o,W0 and the exports Of merchandise
to about 81. 200.N 900. In addition to this. ex-
ports OF gold amounted to over 81, 600, 600,
while tho imports and exports at other
than treaty ports are estimated as being
sufhclent to bring the total Of
1907 up to fully s15, 100000. exclusive of gold
exports, which, as above indicated,
amounted to about 100000
The most important articles in the ex-
port trade are rice. which shows an an
nual expectation of more than a million
dollars; beans, a half Million; ginseng.
nearly a half million; and hides, about
one hundred thousand dollars in value in
the latest available year. or the importa-
tons, cotton goods form the largest item,
from 3 to 3h million dollars per annum:
silk piece goods imported t-om Japan and
China amount to $780, 900 per annum: kerr
osene oil, about $500. 900; railway materials,
about $3.50. 900; mining supplies, about $500
coo; and bags an ropes for packing, s150'-
wv. or the cotton goods imported in 1902,
British shirtlngs formed the largest sin.
gle item, amounting to $500, 900; British and
American sheetings. s26o. 900; Japanese
sheetings, s35O,0N; japanese piece goods
and Japanese yarn for use In manufacture
ing cotton cloths. $500. 600. Korea, like
China. Is now drawing considerable guam
titles OF cotton yarn from Japan, and
considerable supplies of cotton manufac-
lures. Great progress is being made by
Japan in the manufacture of cotton. and
IN addition to supplying cotton cloths to
China and Korea In large quantities it In
now supplying the cotton yarns which
are used in household manufacture as
well as in certain Of the cotton mills which
exist. and are proving quite successful.
The foreign commerce is carried on
through the treaty ports of Chcmulpo.
Fusan, Wonsan, Chinampo, Mokpo, Kun.
san, Masampo and Song Chin. Chemulpo,
which is located on the western coast OF
Korea. about midway from its southern.
most point to the northern boundary, has
by far the largest commerce.. It's imports
in 1902 were reported at 81, ESQ, 900 out of a
total of s.920.o0O The exports of Chem
ulpo, however, are very much less than
those Of other ports, being s45, 600 in 1909
out Of a total of $3.50, 900. Its pre-emi.
5000 an SSAAS SAColy pOIlSS as a
point Of importation is due largely to the
fact thai it is OF itself a considerable city
with q comparatively large foreign pop
ulation and Is in direct railway communi.
cation with the capital of Korea. Seoul.
which Is only thlrty-fve miles distant.
The principal imports In 1902, stated In
United States currency. are as follows:
Shirtings, gray and white, $500, 600; silk
piece goods, $3.50, 900; cotton yarn, $500, 600;
American kerosene. s3s5. 900; Japanese
sheetings. 100000; japanese piece goods,
cotton, S325, 900; British and American
sheetings, s2S5, 900; grass cloth, s2s5, 900; rail.
way plant and material, $3.50, 600; bags and
ropes for packing. $3.50. 600; mining supplies,
s23o.ooo; clothing and. haberdashery, $780,
600: provisions. 5000: matches, $50, coo;
sake samshu. $4,000: sugar, $4,000; ma.
chinery. $4,000; cotton wadding, SEQ, 900.
Social Item From Utah.
Atlanta Constitutions: Elder Brown lat
!he MISUNDERSTANDING. 1 thought I'd tell
you I've just ordered a grocery store, SIX