Evening star., 1907-07-27
KOREANS NOT DISSATISFIED
LITTLE HOSTILITY SHOWN TO
THE YOKE OF JAPAN.
Contradictory Characteristics of vi
Heui, the Emperor, Who Has Just
Given Up the Throne.

Although dispatches from Korea indicate
that the inhabitants are chafing under the
restraint of the Japanese protectorate, one
two officials Of this city we'll informed
as to the exact situation, declare that In
general the Koreans are better satisfied to-
day than they ever We're before. Even Mr..
Edwin V. Morgan. once American minister
at Seoul, but recently said that the Koreans
would show but little hostility to assimila-
ton by the Japanese.
"Korea is known as the hermit empire"
said one of the officials, but that name was
given to the nation because the emperor is
known to be a veritable hermit. The nom!-
nal Korean sovereign, vi Heui. Is the clev-
crest of all the rulers belonging to the pres
ent dynasty of the peninSuar empire and
the most SagaCiouS man in the entire court
of Seoul He is the actual leader In political
activities in the capital. He personally
pcrviSes and attends to Internal and foreign
affairs, great or small without asking the
opinion of his ministers.
"Ii Heui possesses Il certain magnetic
power that clicits the sympathy of those
who come in contact with him He has
graceful manners. iucncy of speech. a dig
nitied yet oblging air, all of which. COM
hined with his deliberative bat charming
appearance, constitute charaote that i'm
presses that of an approacha BILE pri-
vate individual rather than of the ruler of
an empire. He does not indorse the blind
anti-foreign spirit, but is willing to receive
foreigners at his court many OF whom have
no official rank or degree Of honor
A Man of Moods.
Notwithstanding these admirable quail
ties, however, the emperor is a creation of
unfortunate circumstances. What moved
Japan TO undertake a protectorate over
Korea Is the way he actS-an inconsistent
way. At one time he shows an extraordi-
nary power Of judgment and foresight
while at another he seems as though ut
terly devoid Of wisdom and intelligence.
Like all orlentals, he is essentially secre-
tive and schemes and contrives in the dark
He conceals his suspicious nature under a
mask of polite manners and amiable ap-
pearanee like detective. He has tried
more than once to entangle in his tolls not
only the foreign representatives at Seoul,
but his own ministers WELL
What the cause or reason for such un-
happy moods and conducts of the emperor
is it is impossible to tell Probably 1t can
be sought for in the fact that his interest
is thoroughly absorbed in the effort to
maintain the safety and welfare of his
present dynasty.
"To VI Heui every means is 1ustifable
that would accrue to the strength and sta
btilty Of his court. In his opinion the
safety OF the Korean throne should have
precedence even over the welfare Of his
subjects and the very independence of his
country. When Japan declared war against
China, for the avowed purpose Of preserv-
ing the integrity of Korea. the emperor
eyes the safety of the family was more
precious than the country itself. To him
the informal indeDendence Of his country Is
value!ess unless it guarantees the stability
of the reigning dynasty. Therefore, he has
no objection to formal dependence, because
1t guarantees the safety Of his family.
Anxious for His Own Safety.
'"The emperor. also. would not mind the
interference Of the powers, provided such
an interference would tend to strengthen his
family against the aggressive cliques and
nepotists into which his court has been
divided, causing unceasng disturba noes and
strife within the walls OF the royal palace
Some of these factions stand by Japan,
some favor Russian influence. while some
cherish the old idea OF Chinese-Korean
union. each with the view of utilizing the
assistance OF outside powers In it's efforts to
enthrone puppet prince under Its in
fuence
Such political conditions all conspired to
pervert the character Of the emperor who
has been made the most secretive of rulers
With Japan's eye on his country, the en-
peror is a happy man His life is safe, and
that means all to him.
-Four hundred and sixtytwo years have
elapsed since the Inauguration of the pres
ent Korean dynasty. In this long period
only two or three rulers have assumed the
real reins OF state. The rest were made
mere fgureheads behind the powerful
ciques of nobility: consequently the royal
family has always been on the verge Of
poverty.
prior to VI Heui's ascension to the
throne he leading a lowly and miser-
able life among the lower classes of the
people. His father had been obliged to sup
port his family by dealing in curios. The~
emperor had thoroughly experienced the
woe and veal of the common life. That ne
was not by nature an ambitious intriguer
Is evidenced by the fact that he entreated
his supporters with tears and supplica-
tons. to ~ him remain a private person
When one of the court faction plotted to put
MIN on the throne. Having entered the
court, however his natural sincerity has
been overshadowed by the merciless In
trigues of court officials
Japan, for time. succeeded in winning
the cAnfdGnca fia