Part 3

When morning came there were hurryings to and fro and whispered consultations in that high official’s house. A celebrated physician came hurrying up in his two man chair and disappeared within the house. On a distant hill a devil shrine awoke to life at the howlings and twistings of a _mudang_ who was begging the imps in frenzied terms to lift their heavy hands from the person of a high official.

But there was no relief. The great man sat there dumb as a brute with two great horns protruding from his forehead and his two hands turned into horny hoofs.

At this juncture Mr. Cho appeared upon the scene, announcing that he had just come from the country, and when told of the terrible affliction of his former patron expressed the utmost concern. Admitted to the chamber of the official he inquired what had been done for him. He learned that physicians had exhausted their skill and that, at the instance of the lady of the house, _mudangs_ had done their best but all to no avail.

Mr. Cho assumed a mysterious air and asserted that there was one remedy that had been left untried and that he was sure it would prove effective. He promised to secure some of it and hurried away. Purchasing a turnip at the corner grocery he cut it up fine, macerated it and dried it into a powder. Late in the afternoon he returned to the official’s house and in the presence of the family administered the potent drug. An instant later the two horns were seen to recede slowly into the cranium of the patient and the hoofs to change their form, and at last all evidence of the bestial metamorphosis was wiped out. The official’s voice came back and he joined with the rest of the family in heaping thanks upon Mr. Cho. But if anyone supposes that his reward ended with mere thanks he will make a grievous mistake. Honors poured in upon him, _peysil_ unlimited and _kwansey_ without alloy.

YI CHONG-WON.

The Seoul-Fusan Railway.

The completion of this important line of communication is an event of international importance, for it marks a definite period in the construction of a through line that will connect Fusan with the whole of Europe. The trip from Tokyo to London will then require but a few hours of sea travel. The Korean Straits and the Straits of Dover are the Eastern and Western sea barriers which separate the two Island Empires from the great continent. To think that only a few miles of track require to be laid before this stupendous piece of work is completed is almost enough to take one’s breath away. A few years ago it was laughed at as being the dream of a fanatic. Today it is an accomplished fact. The dreams of yesterday are the realities of today.

The formal opening of this branch of the through line called for appropriate ceremonies. No other one thing has done so much to strengthen Japan’s hold upon the peninsula, and the way Japan has poured money into Korea to complete it shows how confident she was of ultimate victory in this present conflict. Of all known things capital is the most timid, and the unreservedness with which money was handed out for this purpose is a measure of Japan’s confidence in herself.

For weeks before the opening ceremonies took place the broad space acquired by the railway for terminal facilities outside the South Gate of Seoul was being prepared for the occasion. Enormous arches of evergreen were erected, a score of temporary buildings of various kinds were put up. The steep hill to the east was laid out with care and many forms of curious and beautiful ornamentation were devised to please and interest the guests of the occasion.

In honour of this occasion Prince Fushimi came from Japan to act as chairman of the opening ceremony. He is the son of Prince Fushimi who has lately been travelling in America. In preparation for his coming, the city went through a species of Spring house-cleaning and all the main thoroughfares were covered with a thick coating of fresh red sand.

On the momentous day a large company gathered about nine o’clock in the morning. Special trains had been run from Fusan and Chemulpo and besides the great number of Japanese and Korean officials there were upwards of fifty Europeans and Americans present. Gathered under a spacious awning the company had not long to wait before the exercises began. On the platform, Prince Fushimi for Japan and Prince Eui Yang for Korea occupied the places of honor. Various addresses were made in Japanese and in Korean and the Prince declared the railway open. Hon. H. N. Allen made an appropriate speech in English. It was partly reminiscent in character and carried his hearers back to the time when even between Seoul and Chemulpo there was nothing more than a bridle-path.

After the formal exercises were over the audience were treated to excellent samples of Japanese histrionic art. Poems were acted in character and though the words were lost upon some of the audience the acting was fully appreciated.

About eleven o’clock an elaborate banquet was served in a long pavilion where one thousand guests were seated. After this was concluded and the toasts had been drunk the guests wandered about the extensive grounds and listened to the excellent music discoursed by the Imperial Korean Band, or examined the curious objects of interest which had been prepared by the hosts. In one part of the grounds a company of jugglers drew the attention of many of the guests and in another part trained Japanese wrestlers were exhibiting their skill.

Late in the afternoon the guests dispersed, but only to return in the evening and witness the fine display of fire-works, which closed with several set pieces of great beauty.

Among the guests of the company was Mr. E. W. Frazar of Yokohama, the head of Frazar and Co. who furnished the line with a large part of the rails and the rolling stock. He is the son of Everett Frazar who was for so many years the Consul-general for Korea in New York. He expressed himself with great satisfaction over the fact that the Japanese had adopted the American system throughout, in their Korean railways, contrasting it with the heterogeneous system found in Japan itself.

The guests from Fusan were enthusiastic over the new 120 ton Baldwin engines that are being put on the road and over the fact that soon we shall see a nine-hour schedule between Fusan and Seoul. This will be an average of thirty miles an hour including stops. The road bed, the bridges, the culverts and tunnels are all of the most substantial character and do great credit to the constructors.

It is asserted that the traffic on this road is already quite considerable and that the Koreans are taking advantage of it very freely. The influence of such an artery of traffic and travel cannot but be immense. It will almost surely cause great changes in former methods, and during the period of readjustment it may be that more or less hardship may be caused. But this is incident to all great improvements and the ultimate results must be highly beneficial to all such Koreans as have energy and ability to take advantage of the opportunity.

When we think of the enormous appreciation of land values all along the line we feel as if Koreans ought to inaugurate a campaign of education, to make their countrymen aware of this enhancement of value and to urge them to make the most of it rather than sell to the first bidder who offers them a ten per cent rise upon the original value of the land. If a bag of rice formerly cost nearly its full original value to get it to market, while now it will cost only a few cents to do so, it is plain that farm land has nearly if not quite doubled in value. But there are other factors at work as well, which enhance the value of land, and unless the Korean is apprised of this he is likely to sell for much less than his land is worth.

Whatever sentimental notions one may have about the Koreans it is quite certain that the Japanese have come here to stay and they come with money, ready to buy liberally. One of the most important problems in sight, therefore, is that of the future of those Koreans who elect to sell their fields. They are not accustomed to handle large sums of money and it looks as if there would be considerable danger of their suffering loss. Koreans should be exhorted to hold on to their property at least until they have clearly decided what to do next.

The Koreans will have to learn by hard experience just as the Japanese themselves did between 1868 and 1880. The stories that are told of old worn-out steam-ships sold to the Japanese at high figures in those days would fill a small volume. The Korean must also learn by his failures. We believe that in this school he will develop a fair degree of ability to take care of himself. It will take time and there will be many unpleasant experiences in the process, but it is certain that he is now “up against” a genuine business proposition and unless he can bring to bear upon the situation a keenness and an energy proportionate to that of the Japanese he will go to the wall.

All we ask is that the Korean be given a fair chance. If he is given an opportunity to obtain redress in case he is treated in an illegal manner the rest may safely be left to his native genius. But what he surely should receive from the Japanese is a “square deal.” If this is denied him of course he will have nothing left but to succumb or rebel.

In spite of many cases of injustice which have been reported we still believe that as soon as the war is over Japan will put forth strenuous and successful efforts to govern the unruly element among her nationals in Korea. She may proclaim a protectorate over the country and temporarily impair its independence. This will be contrary to her express promises but there will be no one to make a successful protest and it may be that in time events will so shape themselves that Korea may again be given an autonomous position. Meanwhile there are important lessons of industry and thrift for the Korean to learn and upon his success in learning them will depend in large part the recovery of his political autonomy.

Editorial Comment.

The great event of the month has been the crowning victory of the Japanese over the Russian fleet. The details of the fight are now at hand and enough is known to demonstrate that the Russian fleet was a mere man of straw, to be blown over by the first wind. When we think of the tons of printers ink that have been expended upon a minute description of every movement of this doomed armada from the time it left the Baltic Sea until it was swept away like a mere cob-web by the Japanese navy there seems to be a grim humor about the whole thing. It was a tragic comedy! The thought of the doomed men who went down in this forlorn hope is inexpressibly sad. They were trying to do their duty as they saw it; but when we look at this event as a war measure and see how totally the Russians misconceived of the prowess and the skill of the Japanese we can only say that Russia is lacking in the first essential of war—a knowledge of the forces that she must contend against.

The Japanese command of the sea is now assured so far as Russia is concerned and this will put an end to all speculation as to whether Japan will be permitted to carry out her plans in Korea unmolested. This is a severe disappointment to many Koreans but it may prove best for the peninsula after all. After the strain and stress of war has been removed and the Japanese authorities have time to examine the Korean question in all its bearings, it is reasonable to hope that they will see fit to arrange for the proper jurisdiction of their people in this country. In spite of the views of some extremists we believe that affairs may be so arranged here that the latter state of Korea and of Koreans will be better than the former one.

We see from the _Times_ of London that Dr. Morrison’s recent brief visit to Korea led him to make such optimistic statements, that that influential periodical judges Japan’s work in Korea to be superior to the work of England in Egypt. But we would like to inquire what Japan has done for the common people of Korea that is any way comparable with England’s work for the Fellahin of Egypt. We would not for a moment disparage the splendid work that Japan has done along the line of railway construction and of general trade in Korea but when anyone reports the condition of affairs here in such terms that England’s peaceful achievement’s in Egypt and India seem to be thrown into the shade, then we are compelled to interpose a decided negative. Are the people of Egypt governed better than before the English occupation? Incomparably better. But the Koreans are governed no better than before, if as well. The great public works put through solely for the benefit of the people of Egypt have absolutely no counterpart whatever in this country. The railway was a war measure which will benefit the people of Korea, but such help was a secondary consideration entirely.

One good result of this great victory is that the state of harrowing uncertainty in which the more conservative officials of Korea were plunged has been cleared up. They know now definitely who their masters are to be and they can prepare as best they may to accept the inevitable with good grace.

There are so many rumors circulating that one can hardly put confidence in the statement of any proposed reform in Korea until after the actual event, but we hope that there is more than the ordinary amount of truth in the report that Japanese police are to be stationed in each of the prefectures of Korea. If this means a court of appeal to which Koreans can bring cases of ill treatment with some hope of redress, a very important step in advance will have been taken. Whatever happens to the official ranks of Korea, we protest that the common people should be left unmolested and that their personal liberty and their property rights should not only not be impaired but, under the influence of the more enlightened power of Japan, they should be more carefully preserved than they ever have been under purely native control. American sympathy for Japan is based upon the belief that Japan stands for the “square deal,” and Americans believe the justice of Japan’s contention in this present war is based upon Russia’s departure from this principle. Whatever America’s good will may or may not mean to Japan, it will be lost if in the flush of victory the latter should take undue advantage of their power to despoil the Korean people of their territory either by seizure or by forced sale. Such acts have been going on all about us, but it is the hope of Japan’s well-wishers that the Japanese authorities will repudiate such actions and put themselves on record as being unalterably determined to give the common people of this country a “square deal.”

* * * * *

The appearance on June 3rd of the first number of the weekly _Seoul Press_ is a matter on which foreign residents in Seoul and every other portion of Korea should be congratulated. It is published by the firm known as the Seoul Press of which Mr. J. W. Hodge is the manager. No intimation is given in the first number as to the personnel of the management of this weekly but we are pleased to learn from the editorial column that “Our little paper will be run on a strictly honest and independent basis, and will be the tool of no particular party, but maintain itself on sound journalistic lines and principles.” The editor invites all who are of a literary turn of mind to make use of his columns and to endeavor to make the paper a success. We trust that our new contemporary will not be disappointed in his plan and that he will have the hearty support of the reading, the writing and the advertising portions of our foreign community.

We feel sure that this publication will meet a very decided need in our community and the fact that it is not a party organ nor committed to any faction makes it doubly valuable. We shall expect to see facts published, whoever may be pleased or displeased thereby. Almost all the news that foreign papers in Japan get about Korea is taken from the reports in native papers, from Japanese reporters in Korea. They thus get but one side of the story. The world wants to know what is being _done_ in Korea not mere statements of plans and theories. Every effort which the Japanese authorities or private citizens put forth for the benefit of the Korean people should be clearly and fully stated and full acknowledgement should be made, and if there are evils which need to be remedied they should be, in a kindly way, brought to the notice of the public so that an intelligent opinion can be formed as to the exact situation here. Public opinion is a mighty agency either for good or ill, but the only way it can be legitimately used is by feeding it upon cold, hard facts. That is what makes the difference between public opinion in England, and in Russia. So we hope that this new periodical will hunt assiduously for facts, and give them to us. We would rather have one column of facts about Korea than ten columns of clippings from abroad. For this reason we are pleased to see that the management of the _Seoul Press_ intends to increase gradually its staff of reporters and correspondents throughout the peninsula.

We wish this journalistic venture all success. The past ten years of Korean history are strewn with wrecks of similar ventures but we trust the time has now come when something permanent can be undertaken; and when in about 1970 the citizens of Seoul look over the back files of the _Seoul Press_, which will then be in its sixty-fifth year, they will say with pride “This is the first genuine foreign newspaper in Korea.”

News Calendar.

The Home Department has written to all the provinces to the effect that many of the laws are being disobeyed and people without means of livelihood are wandering about the country accompanying powerful Koreans or foreigners and tempting young people to sell or pawn their rice fields or other property, generally in secret and then spend the proceeds in riotous living. These debts have finally been collected of parents or brothers by force, and these innocent parties complain that their property is taken from them without cause. It is a shameful state of affairs, and hereafter a father will not be compelled to pay the debts of his son, and the son cannot sell the fields of his father. Any one charged with this offence in future will be severely punished and the governors are asked to notify all the magistrates.

Early in the month it was reported that the Russian soldiers in northern Korea had exhausted all their funds and were demanding both money and rice from every village.

The Il Chin Hoi in Chin Ju district expelled eighteen members and brought six of them into court for punishment for illegal acts.

The following terms have been agreed upon between Korea and Japan for the regulation of marine traffic between the two countries;

1. According to treaty Korean and Japanese vessels can sail along the coast and on the rivers of both countries for commercial purposes.

2. To secure proper permit the owner or master of a vessel after applying to the government authorities through his consul at any commercial port, must apply to the customs authorities for a navigation permit. This permit is good for one year only, and must contain the following:

a. Name and address of ship’s owner.

b. Kind of ship and number of tons.

3. The following rates must be paid either to secure the permit or to have it renewed:

a. Twenty yen for each steamship or sail boat less than 100 tons.

b. Fifty yen for each steamer more than 100 tons and less than 500.

c. One Hundred yen for each steamship more than 500 and less than 1,000 tons.

d. Five hundred yen for each steamship of more than 1,000 tons.

4. With this permit a ship may sail along any coast or on any river, but cannot sail through a closed harbor for any foreign part.

5. The permit must be exhibited on demand of any Customs officer or magistrate.

6. After government consent has been granted only one storage house may be erected at any given port, the maximum area to be not more than two hundred square meters. This land must be cured by application to the magistrate, and on expiration of the contract may be returned at original price.

7. If the owner or master of vessel acts contrary to this agreement his permit may be suspended by the Customs authorities, and if a serious wrong is committed the permit may be cancelled.

8. Any ship sailing along the coasts or on the rivers of either country without the above-mentioned permit will be examined by the consul and a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred yen shall be imposed.

9. If sailors on these ships act contrary to these articles and the commercial treaties or disturb the peace the matter must be investigated and adjudicated according to treaty.

10. This agreement shall be in force for five years.

It is reported that a new issue of 3-cent postage stamps for use in Korea have been ordered from the Printing Bureau by the Japanese government.

In northern Choong Chung province the Righteous Army is said to be increasing daily.

While here several members of the Japanese House of Commons visited the Justice Court and city jail.

Yi Yang Pak, of Euiju, has been executed, having been charged with injuring the military telegraph lines.

The Yang Chung prefect says the Japanese railway authorities have demanded of him five hundred men to work thirty days each on the railway line. He finds it difficult to get fifty men for ten days, during this season of the year, and thinks the people should not be robbed of their time for plowing and weeding their fields.

At the ceremony of opening the Keo-Fu Railway there were present from the Japanese House of Peers, Count Ohgimachi, Count Matenakoji, Viscounts Juonye, Tsutsumi, Akabe, Torii, Joiye, Matsdaira, Makino and others to the number of twenty-eight, and from the House of Commons there were Messrs. Yebarar, Sugita, Morimato, Hoselba, Ogino, Asano, Honai, Ando, Fuknoka, Takenchi, Iwamato, Tsunada, Nagai, Ishida, Terada, Kimura, Haseawa, Matsumoto and others to the number of one hundred and seventy five, besides bankers, editors, shareholders, contractors and railway managers. This distinguished company very strongly impressed the Korean officials and the foreigners of various nationalities in Korea with the substantial character behind Japanese commercial enterprises in Korea.

The governor of South Choong Chung asks the Home Department what disposition to make of the request of the Japanese army that he shall report concerning all the horses in the province.

Mr. Cho Min Huy, Korean Minister to Japan, has been notified by the Foreign Office to return to Seoul. A reply has been received that Mr. Cho is seriously ill, but will return after his recovery.

The governor of North Pyeng An province reports to the Foreign Office that the prefect of Kang Kai has received a demand from the Japanese army for two thousand oxen, to be delivered on the border of China, five hundred miles distant. He bitterly complains because of the difficulty in securing the oxen and the hardship imposed on the people during the cultivation season.

All the French Legation Guards have departed from Seoul with the exception of four who remain to look after the Russian Legation property.

In Juksau district about one hundred evil characters have gathered under the name Righteous Army and have been squeezing money and rice. The magistrate reported that his efforts to arrest them had failed because each had a gun and ammunition.

The government has asked that the following be inserted in the agreement between the Japanese and Korean Communication Departments:

1. All officers appointed must be Koreans.