The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-09-07
THE "HERMlT KINGDOM"
Brief Sketch OF Korea and Its Many
Characte rjstlcs,


Korea is the country occupying the
peninsula between the Yellow sea and
the sea of Japan, reaching northward
along the coast to latitude 43 degrees.
, The Tiumen river, Shang Pal noun
tains and Yalu river separate It. from
Manchuria in an irregular northwest
southeast line OF natural boundaries.
1t Is about 600 miles long, north and
south, and 1875 miles wide, and con-
tains about $4,000 square miles.
The northern half Of this territory
is mountainous and well wooded, with
peaks 6,O0O and 5000 feet high; a
range OF mountains runs along the
eastern seaboard, and another range
reaches down to the southwest point
OF the peninsula and reappears in the
extinct volcano (Mt. Auckland, or
Hanrasan) on Quelport island. The
east coast is abrupt and rocky. with
few harbors, the best being Wonsan
Tor Gensan) and Fusan.
The south and west coasts are low,
studded with islands entered by sew
eral rivers affording light.draft navi-
cation, and abound in harbors but the
high tides and fierce currents make
approaches dangerous. The Ma Kong,
which emptes near Fusan. the Han,
flowing into Chcmulpo bay and giving
steamboat navigation to Seoul; the
Taidong, in the northwest, which is
navigable IS miles to Pingyang and
the Yalu, are the only rivers worth
mention. The Yalu can be ascended
by large vessels for about 30 miles
and by boats to Wi-wen, about 175
miles above its mouth.
The northern rivers freeze over in
winter, and snowy winters rule there
from December to March; but the
sorthern half Of the country Is much
warmer The climate on the whole,
is healthful and rather dry. The
western side of the country is mainly
monotonous plains, dry. fertile and
nearly denuded of wood.
Wagon roads hardly exist, and in
terror traffic Is by boat, packhorses
and human porters, travellers going on
pony back or In sedan chairs. A rail.
way extends between Seoul and Che.
mulpo (26 miles,. and is being pushed
north toward Plngyang, Wiju and Man.
churia. Another line Is building under
Japanese auspices from Fusan to
Seoul
Korea was conquered by the Man
chus in the 18th century, and until
1894 was vassal Of China, but after
the China-Japan war Korea became
Independent. Previous to 1876, when
Japan made a treaty Of friendship
with the country. Korea had been
completely closed to foreigners, and
was called The Hermit Nation, but in
1876 Wonsan and Fusan were opened
to trade. In 1880 Chemulpo, and since
then several other ports. The latest
opened Is Wiju, which will be very
important when peace returns. In
1888 treaty was made with the
United States and diplomatic relations
were established. Japanese influence
has had a persistent struggle against
Russian influence; but In the early
spring OF 1904 Japan placed her
armies in Korea without opposition.
and made It the seat OF their military
operations against Russia. proclaim.
ing, however, that they did not intend
to annex the country.
The general customs. manners and
costumes of the people partake Of
both Chinese and Japanese character
istics. but the people. as a whole, are
very backward. though physically bet
ter than the average Of their neigh
bors. A census In 1900 gave 5.eOs.351
adults liable for imperial taxes. The
total population may be 100000.