The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-31

a half ton in weight which rose high over their heads and hung down at the sides almost to their feet. We passed carts or lumber. the boards tied up in strings, and bullocks drawing all sorts of building materials. There were many women, both Japanese and Coreans, and gorgeous yangbans of Corean nobles, big halted, on foot. I remember one who dashed by mo riding a bicycle. His long pink gown f1oated out on the air his black hat wob- bled and his fat feet of padded cotton went up and down on the pedals.
 'Japan's Military Concession.
 We went fully two miles before we reached the limits of the military conces- sion. Here the street car line branches orr and goes on under the railroad to the right making it's way down to the river. The wide road leads straight on through the new city the right Is large hill ground where several regiments or troops could exercise at one time, and above arc hills spotted with grave mounds so thick that they seem to be sown and grown as a crop From here on for sew eral miles on both sides of the road all the land has>been granted to the Japa- nese The area covers thousands Of acres, and it is some of the most valuable land in the vicinity of Seoul It originally be- longed to the emperor, but he sold 1t to the Japanese for less than 250000 gold
  cised by the Coreans, who claim that the ground was worth several millions and that the sale was a forced one. Never theless, the Japanese government has now a clear title to 1t, and Is exploiting it in much the same way that the Russians built the new town of Dalny, at the end of the Manchurian railroad. which is now owned by the Japanese. Tn the shuff1ng of the international cards for the stake of Corea there is a bare possibility that at some time in the far future Yong-San may be one of the prizes which will go into the hands of Russia, taking the place that Dalny has now in the hands of Japan.
 At the present Yong-san is about the llveliest Japanese spot in Corea. A great deal of grading Is being done. Corean laborers under the direction of Japanese overseers. are cutting down the hills and leveling the valley. They are putting up dirt walls about some of the big build ings. which look almost like fortif1ca- tions. They are making drains and dig ging foundations. A system of water works has been put in which supplies the military city with pure water from the mountain near by, and wide streets, crossing one another at right angles, have been laid out, covering almost the whole territory. Roughly speaking, I should say there is room on the site for several hundred thousand people, and 1t is be- lieved all the ground not devoted to the military establishment will be taken up with Japanese buildings.
 Japan's New Barracks.
 The new barracks now going up, many of which are already completed, ehow that the Japanese intend to keep a large military establishment in Corea fop a long time to come. They have now o0O0 men in different parts of the peninsula, and several thousand of these are here in Seoul. There are a score or more of great two-story brick structures already erected, which are now occupied by the men, and there are similar buildings for the subordinate headquarters filled with offices and barracks for non-conmis- stoned officers in every branch of the service
 I doubt if Uncle Sam houses his troops anything like as well as the Millado does these young Japanese. The barracks are as substantially built as any structures in the United States. They are we'll de- signed and well lighted and every man has the right amount of air space. They are heated by Russian stoves which are built up in the corner of each room. The soldiers sleep on spring beds, they take hot baths once day and their food is carefully prepared.
 During my stay I went through the kitchens of some of the establishments. It was about time for dinner. and great tubs of steaming rice had just been taken from the fire, while fried fish and veg etables were being ladled out on to plates of polished aluminium In order to make the camp equipment as light as possible all the dishes used by the men are of this metal, the rice for each being served in an aluminium box of about the size of that which holds 100 cigars. Each a a Of a meal and a fixed supply of fish, vegeta- bles and sauce, which is varied In char acter from day to day. The food was put up In such portions on trays, each of which carried A plates and rice boxes, and these trays were carried by men to the dormitories nearby. All Of the Japan ese soldiers now wear European shoes. I judge they still find them uncomforta- ble. however for I noticed at the en- trance to each barracks great rows of these shoes outside in the halls, and that the men, as they jumped from their couches and stood at attention as I passed with their colonel, were in their stocking feet.
 Homes for Officers.
 The barracks I have referred to are built around a great parade grounds, at one side of which is an office building, where I was presented to the command ing general of the division. This build ing must cover quarter of an acre, and 1t was filled with clerks who were work ing away. Up another street many other large brick buildings are rapidly rising, and on the sides of the hills overlooking this magnificent country, are long lines of cottages, built in Japanese style, but much warmer than those of Japan They are the homes of the colonels, captains and lieutenants.
 The palace of the commander-in-c chief, referred to at the beginning of my.letter, is still farther on beyond the army head quarters which in size corresponds some what to that of one of the great govern ment buildings at Toldo. This residence is being constructed of steel and red brick. 1t is of three stories and bas- nnent, and it is by far the finest building ever begun in Corea. It will have every modern improvement and will be one of the wonders of this part of the far east. The building is still in the scaffolding but the walls have been finished and it is about ready for roofing. 1t will prob ably be completed during the year. TM commander-in- of the army of Corea is lower in rank than the resident gen eral and I am wondering what will be the home of the latter when it is con- structed. It may be that 1t Is to add to the impression that prevails here as to the mighty power of the Japanese army, and be a living evidence of its unlimited riches and strength.
 The Mikado's Military Fist.
 The hand of the Emperor of Japan in his ruling of Corea is for the present, nominaly at least, gloved with velvet. Inside the glove, however. there is a fist All