THE treaty by which China acknowledged the independence of Korea was signed at Shimonoseki, Japan, in May, 1895. Even previous to this time the Japanese Government had entered upon a vigorous policy of reform for Korea. In October, 1894, Count Inoue, a leading Japanese statesman, arrived in the country as "Resident," and proceeded to administer the government in the king's name. "There were Japanese controllers in all the departments, the army was drilled by Japanese drill instructors, a police force was organized and clothed in badly-fitting Japanese uniforms, a Council of Koreans was appointed to draft a scheme of reform, and form the nucleus of a possible Korean Parliament, and Count Inoue, as Japanese adviser, had the right of continual access to the King, and with an interpreter and stenographer sat at the meetings of the Cabinet.
The difficulties encountered in this campaign of reform were many and serious; for it was difficult to secure the cooperation of the Koreans themselves, so that Count Inoue was led to exclaim that there were "no tools to work with." Among the demands made by the Japanese and finally agreed to, the following may be mentioned: That the king's father and the queen should no more interfere in public affairs; that no relatives of the royal family should hold public office; that the number of court eunuchs and "palace ladies" should be greatly reduced; and that caste distinctions should be no longer recognized.
The Japanese doubtless meant well in their efforts toward reform, but in some matters they certainly showed a lack of tact in conciliating the Koreans. "The abolition of long pipes, alterations in court and other dress, many interferences with social customs, and petty and harrowing restrictions and regulations, embittered the people against the new regime."
Japanese Plans of Reform Broken Up.
Yet all might have been well in time but for one stupendous blunder, which discredited Japan before the whole world, and led her to withdraw from Korea, thus giving place to her keen rival, Russia. It is not too much to say that the events of 1895 had a direct bearing in bringing on the recent war between Russia and Japan.
The queen of Korea was acknowledged to be a woman of rare talent, and a shrewd diplomat; and she used her influence with the king to secure the advancement of the various members of her family to high government positions. Consequently she had many enemies, among whom was the Tai-Won-Kun, the king's father, who had formerly been regent for his son, and fain would regain the power he once enjoyed.
Plans to Assassinate the Queen.
In the fall of 1895, Count Inoue left Korea, and was succeeded by Viscount Miura as Japanese minister to Korea. The new minister soon entered into negotiations with the Tai-Won-Kun, to return him to power. And this was to be brought about by a diabolical plot to assassinate the queen in her own palace. The details of the plot were arranged by the secretary of the Japanese legation. The assassins, sixty of whom were Japanese, included Japanese policemen in civilian dress, and Japanese advisers to the Korean Government, and in its pay. The attack on the palace was made in the early morning of October 8. The Japanese soldiers stood guard outside the palace walls while the attacking party repulsed the palace guard, and pressed their way into the quarters occupied by the royal family. The reader may be spared the rehearsal of all the harrowing scenes which ensued. Let it suffice to say that the queen was at last discovered and slain; her body was then carried to a pine grove in an adjacent park, kerosene oil was poured over it, fagots were piled about it, and the whole set on fire.
The Tai-Wan-Kun accompanied the assassins when the attack was made; and having gained access to the palace, he at once usurped the government. A new cabinet was formed from among his friends and supporters. The king was practically a prisoner in his own palace; for the usurpers compelled him to sign decrees which he loathed; or in case he positively refused to approve, decrees were issued in his name in spite of his protest.
Trial of the Assassins.
It was soon known that the Japanese Government was entirely innocent of any complicity in the plot to murder the Korean queen. General Miura was at once recalled, placed under arrest, and with about forty-five of his accomplices, brought to trial. The evidence presented clearly established the facts as above narrated, up to the moment when the attack was made on the palace; but from that point the evidence was not sufficient to convict, the judgment of the court being that there was "no sufficient evidence to prove that any of the accused actually committed the crime originally meditated by them."
Meanwhile poor Korea was distracted and brought to the verge of revolt by the acts of the usurping government. The king was still a prisoner, surrounded by the murderers of the queen, and daily in fear of his own life. One attempt of his friends to rescue him was quenched in blood. Finally, on the eleventh of February, 1896, the news spread that the king had escaped from the palace, and had taken refuge in the Russian legation. He at once resumed the reins of government, formed a new cabinet, and for over a year held court in the legation of Japan's bitter rival.
A Severe Blow to Japanese Prestige.
No severer blow to Japan's prestige in Korea could have been struck. And, bowing to the inevitable, the Japanese quietly proceeded to retire from the country for the time. The king was left to carry on the government in his own way; and as a result, most of the reforms introduced by Japan were allowed to lapse. And what Japan lost in prestige and influence, Russia gained.
Korea a Stake in the War.
While the immediate cause of the recent13war was Russian occupation of Manchuria, it is well known that a predominating influence in Korea was one of the stakes in the game of war. And having won the game, Japan consistently resumed the policy so abruptly interfered with ten years before. By the treaty with Korea signed the 17th of November, 1905, a Japanese resident general again practically administers the government in Korea. And in order to make Japan's suzerainty effective, the treaty provides that the Korean Foreign Office shall be abolished, and that Japan shall take full charge of Korea's relations with other powers.
The acceptance of this treaty was a severe blow to Korean national feeling and spirit of independence. The following instances will show how keenly some of the Koreans took the matter to heart. At the final meeting between Japan's special envoy and the Korean Court for the ratification of the treaty, the prime minister openly opposed the measure, and was therefore dismissed from his office. Thoughts of the humiliation of his country so wrought upon his mind that he became insane, and after a few days committed suicide. Another high official was arrested on suspicion by the Japanese authorities; and from the time of his arrest he refused all food, and died after a week's confinement. Among the common people the feeling against Japan was quite strong. While Marquis Ito was riding in a train on the Seoul-Fusan Railway, a Korean threw a stone, which shattered the window opposite the Marquis, and drove the splinters of glass into his face.
Japanese Rule in Korea.
The firm, heavy hand of Japan may be seen in the following instances. The assailant of Marquis Ito was punished with one hundred strokes, and two months' imprisonment; the sentence being imposed by the Japanese military authorities. A certain newspaper published in Seoul which opposed the proposed arrangement with Japan was suspended. The Koreans complained that the Japanese freely appropriate land and other property "for the government."
On the other hand, Japan is taking hold again to reform the gross abuses of the Korean Government. The reform of the country's finances is one of the most important and difficult tasks on hand. And in order to relieve the stringency in money circles due to the war and to the necessary reform measures, Japan made a loan of a million and a half dollars to Korea, without security and without interest, payable in seven years. Reforms in other lines are under way. A just and equitable system of taxation will be enforced. Already the work of providing a public system of education has been begun.
Every nation that has been reduced to subjection by a stronger power has doubtless suffered injustice in the process. Yet in the case of Korea, it is not difficult to see that Japanese control and enterprise in that country will tend to advance and hasten the work of the Gospel. Life and property will be safer. The holding in check of the turbulent elements of the country will tend to the peace of society. Means of travel will be greatly improved. Since the war, the railway from Fusan in the far south to Wiju on the Yalu River has been opened; and a line from west to east across the country is being planned.
Religious Freedom under Japanese Rule.
The laws of Japan allow the utmost freedom in matters of religion; and this may be taken as a guarantee that Japan will not interfere with a similar state of freedom in Korea. But if Russia, with her State church and oppressive laws had gained the ascendancy in Korea, the case might have been different. However, the Lord's work in the earth has often had to advance in the face of restrictive human laws; but it goes forward in spite of these, thus revealing the divine power behind it. But if, in the providence of God, the Gospel for the last days is to be given free course in Korea, we will rejoice that it is so, and pledge ourselves to take advantage of every opportunity thus afforded.
