Evening star., 1922-02-12
Sef-De determination Doctrine
In Theory and in. Practice

question l was told q most fas-
cinating story touching the way
in which was obtained from the
Emperor of Korea a concession
for the gold mines that are yet
worked by the Oriental Consoi-
idated Mining Company. Great
progress must have been made
since that concession was granted
1T there is much of a sentiment
In that land for popular govern
ment.
The tale had nothing to do with
international affairs. 1t had to
do merely with the devices that
had to be used jim order to obtain
the concession.s Briefly put, the
had many women in his harem.
The queen was old and ugly, but
he had one beautiful woman and
he was desirous of introducing
this houri to the diplomatic corps
at Seoul, but the representatives
of other governments. who be
lieved in one wife, would not
receive her. 1t was recognized
as sure avenue of approach to
the emperor's good graces IL a
plan could be devised whereby
this favorite would be received.
In this way an opportunity might
be created to secure the desired
concession.
Now it SO happened that the
American minister at Korea at
that time was Presbyterian
preacher from Toledo. Ohio. The
idea was conceived of appealing
to the minister's ministerial side.
Accordingly, it was impressed
upon him that he was in Korea
not only as the representative OF
the American government but as
a missionary of the faith. He was
reminded that the conversion of
the infidel was fully as important
as diplomatic relations and it was
urged on him that the way to
spread the gospel was to get into
the harem. When the minister
evinced interest it was suggested
that by receiving this concubine
peror's harem, where he could
dispense light and truth. In the
language of the narrator, the
minister fell for it and received
the emperor and his lady love.
Shortly thereafter the concession
was granted. but not until the
gold to pay for it had been poured
upon the floor in front OF the
emperor's throne.
cannot vouch for the truth of
the story. but this 1 know from
friends who live in Korea that
the large majority of the people
there have no conception of
democracy as we understand it.
Self-determination for them is
like much of the self-determina-
ton of the world. getting rid of
something that is hated. rather
than seeking something that is
loved.
would have been pleased if the
conference at Washington had
deemed IL advisable to examine the
Korean question and to make ex-
preston with reference to the
treaties made with Japan and to
Japanesee conduct hereunder. AS
an individual citizen / feel that
japan. now that all danger from
Russian aggression has passed,
owes it to the sentiments of
civilized mankind to restore to the
Korean people the opportunity to
determine for themselves what
sort of government they may
desire. But ] cannot go to the
extent of believing that it was
the duty of the Washington con-
ference to take up this question
at the risk Of shipwreck for the
other questions which it had to
consider.
" hope, of course, for the coming
of that glad hour when equal and
exact justice can be meted out the
world around, but, pending its
coming, I am not going to be
censorious of the men who try
to do something rather than to
state a principle. Shantung and
Korea are sore spots. They
blacken the reputation of prin-
ciples They are fostering places
They may even produce war, but
the constant holding up of them
before civilized man will. believe.
SO change japanese thought as to
induce Japan to yield to the
opinion Of mankind. Force here
tofore has not gotten very far in
the affairs Of mankind. The victor
has been the loser. The surest
guarantee is not compulsion but
acquiescence.
The presentation of the cause of
Korea to mankind has done much
good in that 1t has accentuated the
necessity for the universal appli-
cation of principles in which self
governing peoples believe, pro-
vided those people have hope for
the ultimate determination Of the
rights of men by the rule of
reason rather than by the sword
OF offense. What comes out of
the Washington conference is not
so valuable in the way Of written
language as in the hope that the
peoples of the world honestly be-
lieve that what was done was
right, even though all was not
done that should have been done.
and that the right which was
done will be enforced by willing
obedience alone.