EDITORIAL LETTER.

That ocean greyhound, the Chita Maru brought us safely over smooth seas to Chinampo  and pleasant company made amends for the discomforts of a deck passage in cold weather and “extra accommodation” which would have been objected to by an ordinary steerage passenger in other seas. The only amusing incident of the sea voyage was when an ex-member of the Independence Club pointed out the small island of Tei-mul outside Chemulpo and tried to convince us that it was Port Hamilton.

After 20½ hours of the smoothest seas I have ever known in these parts we dropped anchor in the Tai-tong off Chinnampo. The first sight of this new port is not reassuring. The streets still run across mud flats and the water front is a good distance from the town as it now stands. But anyone familiar with the possibilities of north Korea does not have to stretch his imagination to see the mudflats filled in and covered with business houses and go-downs and a brisk trade in operation. Near the higher land much grading has already been done and large gangs of coolies were at work. Several buildings were in course of construction and many more are promised.

After bestowing baggage at the Waldorf-Notoria, kept by one Yama Yuchi, son of the Empire of the Rising Sun, I went out to call on Mr. Peugnet. He still survives the burdens of his many and various duties. He is the most popular European in all Chinnam­po. Like most others who visit the port we carried away pleasant memories of Mr. Peugnet’s kind hospitality.

From Chinampo, where I was met by Mr. Noble of Pyengyang, we went over land to the northern capital. The road is thro a well settled and well farmed country. To the Japanese forces and not to the Koreans do we owe the excellent road which stretches 50 miles to Pyengyang city. In dry weather it must be a pleasure to bicyclists. I am told that the distance can be covered in five hours by a good wheelman. Pyengyang is but a reminiscence of what it was when we first saw it nine years ago. The rumors of “open port ‘ have had an effect, however, and people are constantly moving in. The foreign community is as yet restricted to missionaries, who find some relief for the loneliness of their life in each other’s company.

Leaving Pyengyang early on a Wednesday morning and accompanied by Dr. Follwell we started north on a visit to Chitabalby which lies 86 miles north of Pyengyang and our way was over the old Seoul-We-ju turnpike. As usual this time of the year the nor-wester was blowing, and as it is the most beastly wind in all Korea our journey to An-ju was not a picnic by any means. Both the doctor and myself distinguished ourselves by supplying our common table with sundry ducks and pigeons, but we could tell more interesting stories about the game we didn’t get, than of that which ventured within range of our artillery.

Chitabalby was reached Saturday morning about 11 o’clock. If one wants a hearty welcome let him drop down into a mining camp of Americans in the midst of heathenism. The town itself is not anywise different from other Korean towns. Here are the company’s offices, store, etc. We first looked for Mr. Bunker. As soon as he appeared between us and the horizon we had no difficulty in seeing him with the naked eye. Life in the wilds seems to agree with him and Mrs. Bunker, who spared no pains to make our stay pleasant.

In the afternoon under the guidance of Mr. Taylor, who in the absence of his father and Mr. Narie is acting as superintendent, we went on a tour of inspection. First to the mill where the stamps were making more racket than a dozen Niagara, and then “into the hill,” though dark uncanny passage ways, past holes where anywhere else on earth it would be impolitic to fall down, and finally out into daylight again. Under the guidance and instruction of Mr. Taylor and Mr. Meserve we thus spent one of the most interesting afternoons we have known.

Speaking of the “holes” a story was told for the truth of which proper avouchment is made. A Korean stumbled and fell into one of them. When help reached him he was found at the bottom, after a fall of 90 feet sitting up and badly dazed, but not otherwise injured. In a few days he was up and about as if nothing had happened.

Camps have been opened at two other places and a force of a score or more foreigners is at work in various places. These we were not able to visit but spent the sabbath in two interesting services with a few Koreans whom Mr. Bunker has gathered together for Christian instruction every Sunday.

Leaving on Monday we tried to express our appreciation of all the kind attentions which were given us by the friends there but signally failed to convey all we felt. Three days more brought us back to Pyengyang well pleased with all we had seen.

Pyengyang, April 6th, 1899.

VISCOUNT MIURA.

We read in an exchange from Japan that General Viscount Miura, the Japanese Minister here, who our readers will remember was charged with complicity in the disturbance in October, 1895, when the Queen lost her life “has been warmly agitating for some time in favour of the reduction of taxes, and is said to have remarked to a friend that the time for arguing with words in the Diet was already passed, and that the only course now left was to decide the controversy by physical force. The gallant general therefore proposes according to the report, a rising of the farmers, and that shortly before the next session of the Diet is opened, circulars should be issued to all parts of the Empire, summoning the farmers to assemble in Tokyo as they did in the agitation against the Ashio copper mine pollution. He himself offers to join the movement and if necessary sacrifice his life.”

Probably this is more or less chaff but if true it would seem the ex-minister has not learned anything during the years of his dishonorable retirement.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

From Other Papers.

A dispatch front London dated April 12 announces the suicide of another witness in the Dreyfus case. This time it is M. Lorillier, a former secretary of Col. Henry.

Dispatches concerning the Samoan trouble state that Germany has protested against the intervention of the British and American warships there. Also that Great Britain holds the German consul in Samoa largely responsible for the present grave situation. The British warships Goldfinch and Wallaroa have been ordered from Sydney to Samoa.

The New South Wales Ministry has specially appointed twelve members to the Legislative Council for the purpose of outvoting those councillors who object to the bill for the federation of the Australian colonies.

Another Demand for Territory.

The North China Daily News is responsible for the following Peking dispatch dated April 7:

The Island of Yangmao (Yang-mao tao) near Shanhaikwan, Gulf of Pechili, been has formally demanded from the Tsungli Yamen by a certain Power. Although the Yamen has refused further cession of territory to any Power, such strong pressure has been brought that there are doubts whether resistance is possible unless by force of arms. General Tung Fu-hsiang has offered to hold the island with his Kansu troops, but up to to-day the Empress-Dowager has still refused him permission owing to the weakness of the Chinese modern fleet.

The editor of the Daily News appends the following note to the above dispatch:

In the summer of 1898, under secret instructions from Jung Lu, then Viceroy of Chihli, a corps of graduates from the military and naval academies of Tientsin were sent as quietly as possible to visit all the islands and ports in the Gulf of Pechili to select and survey the most likely place for the future naval station of the new Pei-yang squadron. Yangmao Island was selected, and plans were drawn up for fortifying the place, and constructing docks and machine shops. The news has caused considerable conjecture amongst local mandarins as to who the “certain Power” is, the general feeling being that it is either Russia or Japan.

AN EDITOR ASSAULTED,

Last Sunday afternoon while the editor of the Whang Sung Shin-mun (Seoul News) was in the quiet of his office a dozen or more men came so see him about a matter of mutual concern. They assaulted and hustled him off to the Catholic cathedral. A short time ago a paragraph apeared in the paper under the caption “Buddha applies for admission into the church.” It seems that a one time high official whose unscrupulous deeds have earned for him the nickname among his own people of “Buddha,” applied for admission into the Catholic church, and the mention of this, what would ordinarily be regarded as a praiseworthy intention, seemed so incongruous as to appeal to the ridiculous. There was no “force in the observation,” except as it lay in the application. Passing Chongno the people there attempted to interfere with the strange proceeding, but were warded off with blows and remarks that they too were in sympathy with newspaper men.

Arriving at their destination, the editor was placed in their midst, abused, bullied, cross-questioned and ordered to make known who was meant by Buddha. The answer elicited was that that Worthy was well-known to the people and needed no introduction by name. Then they proposed the publication of the paper cease and that a promise to that effect be given in writing at once. To this the reply was made that as the paper was the property of a company he was unable to comply without consultation with his colleagues. This appealed to a venerable member of the gang of self-appointed detectives and judges, and he recommended release in order to consult and after some more bullying the editor was allowed to go. The affair, undertaken without the knowledge, much less consent, of the Catholic Bishop reached his ear. He sent his card and apologies to the editor; denounced the conduct of the offending members and promised to deal with them as far as the church was concerned. The leader of the crowd and possibly others have been placed under arrest. The incident shows two things. That the editor of the Seoul News is fearless and that papers like his are not wanted by some of his countrymen—for the suppression of the paper and not the vindication of the fair name of “Buddha” was the object of the assault. Second, that the prompt and absolute disavowal of the conduct of certain of his members or adherents by the Bishop shows the attitude the church assumes towards any such unlawful proceedings.

THE GUARD AGAIN.

The special guard of four soldiers to within a few days have continued to lounge about the front gate of Mr. Kenmure’s place. Since then they have been stationed on the brow of the hill, but last Tuesday when a few drops of rain fell they made a grand rush for their former shelter. We think we notice a slight improvement in their manner. If they stand in the middle of the street as you approach, they will with a little encouragement step aside and let you pass on. We have tried it several times the past week and know they will accommodate you. Of course one feels humiliated to have to make such a request, but it is gracious of the War Department to allow us foreigners to walk the streets and if we were less particular we would not complain. Then we have noticed that the braves while flourishing their fixed bayonets all over the street, as you get nearer to them will actually gather up their guns and we are happy to report that thus far no one has run into them. For this the Minister of War will please accept our thanks.

HONORS.

Prof. H. B. Hulbert, on the 14th of February last, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical society. We congratulate Mr. Hulbert on this honor and are glad to see in it a recognition of the literary work he has done for Korea.

CITY AND COUNTRY.

Work on the new dormitories of Ewa School has been begun.

The Japanese exported 229 tons of coal from Moji and Shinionseki to Korea last month.

Rev. Dr. C. F. Reid and family left Seoul on last Friday the 21st, for the United States on furlo.

The Annual Meeting of the Korea Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church will convene in Soul on May 11, 1899.

Mrs. T. H. Yan and her three children left Seoul on Tuesday the 26th for Wonsan to join her husband who is magistrate of that district.

Choi, one of the three men whose escape from the city-jail in February last created considerable excitement, was captured at Chinampo and is now back again in the city jail.

The “Japanese Invasion” is receiving attention by our historians. Whether by coincidence or not, we see our associate on the tripod is contributing an account of it to the China Review—the first installment appearing in the last issue published. It will be interesting to compare these two accounts by these students of this great invasion, as both have given much study to the subject.

Sunday April 23d 1899 the Japanese in charge of the construction of the Chemulpo Seoul Railroad celebrated the resumption of construction operation with a general reception and banquet.

Gen. C. W. Le Gendre who has been confined to his house by sickness for the past fortnight, we are happy to know, is able to be out again, tho he has not yet resumed his official duties at the Palace.

Lads with lilies of the valley for sale are visiting houses of foreigners. It has been suggested that as these beautiful flowers when transplanted rarely if ever grow foreigners discourage these boys by not purchasing.

Invitations have been issued by Ex-Governor Ye Cha Yun, president of the Seoul Electric Company, to all foreigners and a large number of prominent Koreans to attend the trial or opening of Korea’s first railway, the Seoul Electric street railway, on Monday, May 1st, at 3 p. m. at the Power House near the East gate. Mr. H. R. Bostwick has charge of all the arrangements.

A Japanese resident at Chemulpo recently bought some land near the Japanese cemetery at the port. As there were a number of “squatters” on it notice was served on them to remove their houses This they refused to do. Appeal was taken to the Korean authorities who ordered the “squatters” to move or to indemnify the land owner. They refused to do this so one evening the Japanese owner with a few friends called on the Korean tenants drove out the people and chopped the supporting columns of twelve homes, off short resulting in a grand collapse of houses and destruction of furniture. Tuesday evening last a passer by came thro a crowd of a thousand indignant friends of the squatters who were encamped in front of the yamen at Chemulpo thirsty far revenge on the Japanese. We await the outcome with interest.

A VISIT TO QUELPART.

A.    A. PIETERS.

(Concluded from last issue)

The needs of the people for things outside of their own products seem to be so small that a few shops supply them all. In the capital, Chai-Joo, there are some eight small shops; in Tai-Chung one: and in Chung-Ui perhaps one These are probably the only shops on the whole island and from them the people obtain the few needed foreign articles, such as shirting, dyes, thread, needles, nails. etc. The periodical markets which are held on the mainland and in all the towns and many villages every five days, are altogether absent, and in the whole trading seems to be yet in its infancy. The things exported from Quelpart are: pearl oysters, sea weed, native medicine, cosmetic oil, horse and raw hides, horses and cattle. The cosmetic oil is pressed from the seeds of the fruit of the Datura Strawmium or, as the Koreans call it, Tong-Paik. This tree grows abundantly all over the southern part of the island. It is evergreen and blooms in February with beautiful crimson flowers. On the mainland this tree is very rare. Horses and cattle are very important items of export and a good many of the Korean horses come from there. The cattle are not nearly as large and strong as on the mainland. The average price of a horse is sixteen dollars and of a bull or cow twenty-five. The ponies and cattle are turned loose all over the island and are left to take care of themselves, altho they all have owners. In the winter they feed on the fields and in the spring they are driven into the mountains for the summer. The stone walls built between all the fields are intended for keeping the ponies from running about from field to field. A good many of the horses and cattle belong to the government and an official is kept there for the purpose of taking care of them. Some years before he had to send up annually a certain amount of horses and cattle to Ko rea for the use of the government. Since taxes in kind were abolished, he has been selling the animals and sending up money. As there is no watch kept the islanders are not very scrupulous in catching and utilizing a government cow or horse whenever they have a need for it. Not only is the trade in its infant stage but the mode of life of the people is quite primitive. Owing to the isolation of the island the people are much more ignorant and much less civilized than those of the mainland. As on the mainland, so on the islands, the people have no religion. A Confucian temple in each of the three cities, six or eight large idols cut of lava and placed outside of each gate, and a few shrines seem to satisfy all the spiritual needs of the hundred thousand people. There is not one Buddhist temple nor a priest on the whole island. It is said that about a hundred years ago a sceptical governor ordered all the temples to be destroyed and all the priests driven out. Since then they have never been allowed to return. The governor was punished, tho, for his atheism and soon died at Chai-Joo far away from his relatives and friends.

            There are a few interesting sights on the island. Within ten li from Tai-Chung one sees a peculiar rock rises abruptly to the height of some eight hundred feet. In the south side of’ it at the height of about three hundred feet there is a cave of some twenty feet wide at the entrance twenty feet long and forty feet high. From the opening of the cave the view over the country and the sea is magnificent. We were told that many years ago a Buddhist temple was standing in the cave, but was destroyed at the same time as the others. At a distance of thirt and sixty li from Tai-Chung, on the way to Chung-ui, there are two water falls formed by two circular holes in the rocky ground about thirty feet wide and forty feet deep. The walls are quite vertical and two small mountain streams fall into them. When we saw them, one of the streams was almost dry, and the other one had but little water, but in the rainy season they must present a splendid sight. It is interesting to note that both waterfalls are exactly alike. Not far from the top of Mt. Auckland there stand up in one place a number of rocks all alike and of the size of man; when seen from a distance they resemble a company of people and this caused the Koreans ot call them O-paik chang gun (five hundred heroes). Not far from Chung-ui there is a place with which the following legend is connected:

Many years ago a very large snake lived there when from time immemorial a yearly sacrifice of a beautiful virgin had to be offered. The snake used to devour her alive. If the virgin was not brought, rains would not fall, strong winds would begin to blow, horses and cattle would die, and sickness and other calamities would befall the people. About a hundred years ago a man had a very beautiful daughter, who was the pride and the pet of the family. Soon her turn came to be sacrificed. The father, however, did not care to part with her and made up his mind to try and rid the island of the blood thirsty pest. So when the time for offering the sacrifice came this Theseus of Quelpart took a sharp ax with him and led his daughter to the sacrificial spot. He left her there and hid himself not far away. Soon the snake came out, but before he had time to touch the maiden, the man was on him and with one blow chopped off his head. After this he cut the snake all to pieces and put it into a large kimche jar covering it tightly up. The people were thinking they were going to live now in peace. But from that day the snake began to appear to the people in their dreams, begging them to take out the pieces of his body from the jar and threatening severe vengeance if they did not do so. The people became frightened and at last decided to do as the snake had bidden them but when they emptied the jar every piece of the former snake turned into a whole individual snake and the place was filled with them. However the supernatural power of the snake was lost and no more virgin-sacrifices were needed Still to be sure about it, sacrifices of a pig, rice, whisky etc, are offered yearly on that spot. The ceremony is performed by Mutangs, who of course only show the eatables to the snakes and afterwards feast on them themselves These mutangs, or sorceresses, I suppose, would not hesitate to swear to the truth of this story. We were very curious to see the famous three holes, from which the founders of three noted Korean families are said to have come into the world. But 1 fear that these holes as well as the three heroes are legends. Nobody on the island seems to know anything about it either.

Quelpart used to be a place of banishment. The last exiles were sent there three years ago. There are twelve exiles there now, mostly political. Two of them came to see us and told us that they were all free to go wherever they liked on the island. They are supported by their own relatives. To prevent them running away, no Korean is allowed to leave Quelpart without a pass from the authorities.

After finishing our tour around the island, our first thought was to enquire about the steamer. Nothing was heard of her and nothing was certain about her coming. There was nothing left for us to do but to hire a boat which was open and was about thirty feet long and ten wide. The channel between Quelpart and the first island near the coast of Korea being forty miles wide we had to wait for a favorable wind to cross it. So the boat-men began to watch the winds. In the evening of the second day just when we were ready to go to bed a boatman came and said that now was a good time to start. However, we were of a different mind. The night was cold, windy and very dark and to take up our warm, comfortable beds which were ready to receive us, pack up all our things. and start off in a small open boat was not a pleasant prospect. We told the boatman that we would start next morning. They tried in vain to persuade us to go at once but had to give in. Next morning after breakfast, we packed up, hired coolies and went to the boat which was half a mile from our house. But there we found that the Chai-Joo custom (poong-sok) was for boats to start only after midnight, and that any other time was unfavorable. No amount of persuasion could make them go and we had to take a few of our things and go to a fisherman’s hut. In the afternoon it began to rain and next morning a strong wind from the north was blowing. This wind did not cease for six days during which we had time enough to repent for not going when we were called. At last the wind changed and one night, according to the poong-sok we started at two o’clock having slept not more than three hours. After sailing for some five miles it began to dawn, and the usual morning-breeze began to blow. This being from the north, the boatmen made up their minds to go back and got ready to turn the boat. But we had also made tip our minds that we were not going to go back unless for a very good reason. So I spoke to them very sternly telling them to go ahead and row until the sun was up and then if the breeze did not change, we would go back. My voice and manner must have been pretty suggestive as they took again to the oars and made for the mainland. When the sun arose the wind changed to east and we unfolded our two sails and went flying over the waves. It was pleasant to think that we were moving towards Korea at a good rate, but to be in the boat was not so pleasant. The boat seemed to be very small, indeed, and was leaning on one side and jumping up and down the waves in such a manner that it made us very sea-sick, to say the least. In the evening we arrived at the first island, spent the night in an inn, next day had a magnificent sail among the numberless small islands, spent another night on the boat, and next day at noon arrived at Mokpo. There we found a steamer leaving for Chemulpo in three hours. At once we transported our goods from the sampan to the steamer, and next noon we were fighting the Chemulpo coolies.

SHIPPING NEWS.

ARRIVALS.

April 20—Meiyo from Chinnampo; April 21—Chikugogawa from Japan; April 23— Owari from Japan; Genkai from Chefoo; April 23— Vostock from Port Arthur; Kyeng Chae from Whang Hai-do; Meiyo from Chinnampo.

DEPARTURES. April 18—Kisogawa for Japan ; Kyeng Chae Pyeng Yang; April 21— Meiyo for Pyeng Yang; Apri1 22— Chikugogawa for Japan; Owari for Chinnampo; April 23—Genkai for Kobe via ports; Vostock for Shanghai; April21—Meiyo for Pyeng Yang; April 25—Kyeng Chae for Kunsan.