Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-06-21
DR. RHEE GIVES STATEMENT ON
CONTROVERSY IN KOREAN COLONY
Says It's Struggle Of Few Politicians Against the Gen.
!, eraI Mass of People Who Demand "Cean Government"

who demand "elean government" in
the association.
When ] came to Honolulu from
Washington. d. c.. in February, 1913.
] found all the Koreans on the islands
in q state Of general agitation. soon
discovered the fact that few men
In the association we're leading a
mighty campaign against the estab-
lished mission work at Honolulu and
on the other islands. The National
lists, claiming that all the patriotic Ko-
reans must regard the association as
their nation and that every Korean
should pay S. to 1t each year, were
striving to bring the church leaders
under their control My advice to
them all was that as long as the
church and the association are both
for the good Of the people they must
work hand in hand. and help each
ether. though in different lines yet
for the same end. This was under
stood by all our people and they have
been endeavoring to do this during the
last two years.
Before my coming to Hawaii there
came another young man from the
states, Young NJ. Park, graduate of
the University of Nebraska. whom l
always feel proud to claim as one of
my best friends He exercised much
Influence over the leaders of the asso-
citation and took special interest in
the political activities OF the associa-
tion and started military school for
young men, while ]. on the other hand,
devoted myself to the educational and
religious work In connection with the
Methodist mission. OF course, he was
exceedingly popular among the asso.
citation leaders, and was criticised
by some persons as working against
the association. which was not at all
true.
/ do not wish to know how much
money they collected and how they
spent 1t. but ! did wish to know why
such large sum Of money anywhere
between $4,000 and SIS 000-each
year. including the regular dues and
special subscriptions for various pur-
poses, hard-earned and given with
good intention by poor laboring peo-
pie, could not be used for real benefit
or the Korean people. do not think
Ii has ever occurred to Mr.. Parks
mind that they were handling the
money too earelessly and was not in
position TO know or say anything
about II.
The association usually holds its
annual convention in January. The
convention composed of the delegates
from various plantations constitutes
the legislative body of the organiZa'
ton. At this convention candidates
for new offices are to be nominated
and announced to the people. who
would vote for the election Last jan
uary the regular convention was held
and reelected Kim Chong .Hark
as president for another term, and
Kim in turn reappointed Hong In Pho
as treasurer. Among certain dele
gates IL was reported that some of the
association funds and property had
been Incorporated. An immediate
Investigation of the books was de,
handed, but the officers, using their
influence, smoothed it over and 81
delegates went away, some quite dis
satisfied. However, the news soon
spread all over the islands like wild
fire.
All the members of the association
refusing to pay their regular dues, de.
manded thorough investigation. New
delegates began to gather here by the
latter part of April. and a special con.
vention was formally opened with 80
men. Since that time the treasurer,
Hong In Pho. has disappeared and his
whereabouts is still unknown. Hong
is responsible Tor the regular funds
in the treasury. but kim. the presi
dent. should answer for the account
of the special subscriptions received
/ for the bnilding. After six days
struggle. the delegates finally succeed
ed in compelling the president to show
! his books, which revealed the fac
that while the actual cost Of the build
ing was less than $500, the total sun
raised and secured as loan In ths
name OF the association building funt
amounted TO over $1,000. They hat
tried to settle 1t quietly with the pres
ident, but Kim's friends and adher
ents, in fear they might lose the con
fidence Of the people and subsequent,
/ lose their positions. backed him VI
and tried TO make people believe tina
i il was false charge. They creates
all sorts of stories and scattered then
all over the islands. They declares
that -some persons are trying to de
stroy the organization and tina
"some schemers are stirring up a fac
tional spirit in order to get hold o
the associations money" etc.
Unfortunately for Kim, his book
are now in the possession of the con
vention. A sense of general indigna
ton was aroused among Koreans