Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-15
Becomes Free Nation
Three Years After
Jopon's Defect

democracy today. Korea-or Chosun,
ito ancient nams-achieves it, rem
aissance ut ceremonies In it, trad.
tional capital In Seoul On this, the
third anniversary Of japanese de-
feat. Thus, . csnturies-old king
dom, blacked out for nearly 10 years
by Japanese expansionism, becomes
. republican democracy despite the
obstructionist tactics Of the Soviet
Union and its satellites.
This formal Inauguration of Korea
~ Q free and independent nation
II an omen Of hope to snslavsd ma
tions and men Of good will every
where. Even the theological struggle
between the totalitarian oligarchies
Of the Soviet sphere and the cap
itahstic -socialistic democracies OF
the west failed to prevent fulfill
ment Of the 29-year-old objective
Of Korean patriots. Optimistically
perhaps, but with vision and con-
viction, 80 Korean citizens issued
declaration with the support Of the
Korean masses which proclaimed
their right to independence on
March /, 1919, in Seoul, and in the
same month established q govern
ment-in-exile in Shanghai.
Blends Past and Present
AZ If symbolic of the tenacity with
which Koreans carried their fight
for freedom to the capitals Of free
nations since the ringing Of the
Chong-No Bell in Seoul, which was
the signal for the passive uprising
OF Koreans against the Japanese in
1919, the first President of Korea is
DR.. Syngman Rhee. It Is this same
classically educated Korean, I'M
prisoned for seven years for his
efforts to democratizs the reign OF
the last free King Of Korea, who
was likewise chosen a. the first
president Of the Korean govern
exile.
No one better symbolizes, the blend
between Korea of the past and
Korea Of the present than Syngman
Rhee. He also typifies liberal de-
mocracy in the Wilsonian American
sense-democracy to which he was
introduced by the Christian mis-
slonaries as a young man in Korea.
This was extended and formalized
during his long exile in the United
States and Hawaii. Early In this
period he earned his masters degree
at Harvard and his electorate from
Woodrow Wilson at Princeton.
President Rhee is more than a
stalwart citizen of Korea. He is the
leader of the team that has created
modern Korea. Even his enemies
ADMIT his patriotism, scholarship
and tenacity of purpose. Most also
recognize his vision, craftsmanship
and organizational genius. His DO
lltical leadership is neither new nor
matter for wonder to those who
have observed him in action. Ger
talnly, any one who considers DR..
Knees election to the presidency of
the Republic Of Korea a mere token
reward is not acquainted with his
practical achievements.
Versatile Leader
AS a politician, he created Dongii
Hoi, the patriotic society of Koreans
everywhere who furnished the
"grassroots" support of the Koreans
independence movement; as a reli-
gious leader, he formed one of the
most fiourishing Christian churches
and supporting congregations in the
Hawaiian Islands, including the
building of an edifice renowned as
fine example Of traditional Korean
architecture; as an educator, he
established an outstanding school
for youths of Korean descent in the
Hawaiian Islands. AS If these were
not enough, he set up and served as
chairman of the Korean Commission
in Washington which has been the
unofncial but actual Korean En-
bassy in the United States since
1919. 1t has always represented
free Korea"
Through the years many Korean
patriots have served as DR.. Rhee's
lieutenants, but none more LOYALTY
or more "skillfully than Col. Ben G.
Limb, the present chairman of the
Korean Commission in Washington.
Col. Limb first came under DIR,
Rhee's influence in 1919 when, as a
Korean student, he attended the
lectures on international law DR..
Rhee was then giving in Seoul.
However, the senior Junior relation
ship began in 1919 when Dr. Rhee
summoned all Koreans in the United
States to Philadelphia in March as
an immediate sequel to the March /
passive uprising in Korea. Upon
this occasion DR.. Rhee rang our
own Liberty Bell as the Koreans had
rung the ancient Chong No Bell In
Seoul, and Col. Limb, then a student
at Ohio State University, served as
secretary Of the conclave. Frequently
through the years DR.. Rhee has
called for his aid and Col. Limb has
responded. Since 1912 he has served
the Koreans cause on the diplo-
matte front, In Washington, at the
initial United Nations Conference
at San Francisco, in London and
Paris, and at United Nations head
quarters at Lake Success. As chair
man Of the Korean Commission
since DR.. Rhees return to Korea in
ls45, he has in effect been the per-
sonal representative Of the new
President and the actual represent
alive Of the Korean people in
America.
| ColOrful Cabinet