The Colfax chronicle., 1904-04-30
AN UNCOMFORTABLE KING.
The Ruler Of Corea Has Anything
But Pleasant Time Running
His Queer Kingdom.


Ii Hi, Ii Hsi. Ii Houi, vi Hieung, tt
Houi, or whatever the name of the ruler
Of the Hermit Kingdom" with the
soothing name of The Land of the
Morning Calm" may be, just now is in
the unenviable position of a kernel of
grain between two giant millstones.
While Corea is in this MONDAY of
trouble through the jealousy of ker
| neighbors, Russia and Japan, it is quite
possible that the little emperor of the
country, whose name is SO little known
to the outside world that encyclopaedia
makers and writers mention him as he
Ruler of Corea." knows little about the
lighting which is going on about his ears.
He is almost as much Of prisoner as
the pope, says the New York Tribune,
and knows less of what goes on outside
the walls of his home. 1t is said that he
has never travelled more than Is miles
beyond the walls of Seoul, and this dis
lance only once, when he visited certain
of the tombs of his ancestors.
The uncertain named ruler was not
born an heir to the throne. His uncle,
his predecessor, died in 1864 without is
sue, and he was selected by the queen
dowager to succeed at the age of IL
years. During his minority his father,
Tai Wen Kun, was regent, and wicked
old regent he was. He ruled with great
severity, and was responsible for the
furious persecution of the Christian
missionaries which induced the French
government to send an expedition into
the country in 1866. He was also re-
sponsible for the frantic anti-foreign
crusade which was broken down by COM
bined pressure of the foreign powers.
The present king is described by one
who has seen him as little man, stout.
and somewhat unhealthy looking. He
smiles amiably and constantly, but does
not look very clever. Another writer
asserts that he is we'll informed for
man who has never gone beyond the
sight of the walls of his capital, AID de-
clares that he is an intelligent man,
who reads nothing but Chinese, but is
constantly endeavoring to learn all he
can by hearsay of what is going on in
the world. He questions every diplomat
and traveller who comes in his way. Seen
in his audience hall. he looks ridiculous
ly small and insignificant. This is not
altogether because of his low stature,
but because the audience chamber is a
large one, and the king is always seen
alone. 4
His court is truly oriental in many re-
spects. He has several hundred wives.
According to report, however, there was
a period Of many years during which he
might as well not have had them so far
as enjoying their society was concerned.
During that time he was a henpecked
man indeed, being under the thumb of
wife No. 1, the queen. A few years ago
reports came thickly from Seoul that
she had been murdered by band of
conspirators, who had the sympathy of
the japanese government, their object
being to remove him from the dominion
Of power which was antagonists. 1t
was never proved that Japan had any
thing to do with this attack. The king
escaped from the palace and received
shelter in the Russian legation. While
he was there the Russians obtained the
timber concessions which contributed to
the disagreement between Japan and
Russia.
Until 1897 the ruler of Corea was only
king, acknowledging the suzerainty
of the emperor of China. Taking advan-
tage of the opportunity provided by the
outcome of the Chinese-Japanese war,
he in that year declared his country an
empire and himself an emperor
European notions have crept into the
country and the European dress is not
Al unusual sight in these days. Indeed,
contact with the outside world has re-
suited in the modernization of the dress
of the soldiers. SO that they are now
garbed In such fashion as permits them
to do little fighting If need be.
The emperor does not even know the
streets Of his capital. He thinks he does.
Five times year he makes progress
through the chief street, wide thor,
oughfare. which is carefully prepared
for the event and therefore presents a
fair appearance when he traverses 1t.
He does not know that all the other
streets are narrow and dirty, and that
even this street on ordinary days Is
crowded on either side with the mer-
chandise of street merchants. These
pageants leave the annual displays of the
greatest show on earth" and the lord
mayors parade in London far in tho
shade. They are somewhat shabby, but
gorgeous in color. On these occasions
the emperor rides in chair carried by
a host of bearers. He himself is adorned
beyond the lilies of She field In magnif-
cence.