2
7th. (15th of 5th Moon). Sunday.
3
About 5 a.m., I was rudely awakened by the startling news that Mr. Pak Yong Hio, Yi Kiu Wan and Sin Ung Hi had fled from an arrest and that An Kiung Su had been appointed the Superintendant of police. A little later Mr. Yu (兪吉濬) confirmed the news by sending me the Royal proclamation issued in the depth of last night. It reads thus:
4
"We pardoned the crimes of Pak Yong Hio hoping that he might redeem himself by renewed loyalty. But it is now discovered that he has been ungratefully engaged in a treasonable plot. We, therefore, command the Board of Justice to apprehend him for further investigation. On securing him a full amnesty shall be granted to any and all of his accomplices. 14th day Intercal. V Moon 504." (閏五月 十四日)
5
Who can be safe? Pak Yong Hio, the all-powerful man in Corea last night now runs for life at the mercy of those who used to cringe before him. I feel like in a dream.
6
Sent Mrs. Yun and baby to Dr. Cutler's to spend a few days there.
7
In the evening, had a long talk with Mr. Hutchison. He is a Scotch but a strong pro-Russian in his political views on Corea. He urged me to trust in Russia and in nobody else. His version of P's wreck says that had asked the Japanese Minister(杉村) to lend him 50 soldiers for the purpose of doing away with Her Majesty, that the Japanese who are under the thumb of the Russian Minister dared not grant the request, and that a Japanese broke the news to T.M. Backed up by the Russian assurance of help, His Majesty issued the edict last night.
10
Called on Dr. Allen this morning. He gave me no more light on P's plot, so called, than Mr. H. But Dr. Allen told me that he did not know how far the accusation was to be trusted. One thing he seemed to be certain that the Japanese authorities here who have been wanting to get rid of Pak at all cost and the Russian Minister, who disliked P, worked out his (P's) ruin without necessarily and concert but from different motives.
11
Out of the chaos of rumors and guesses it is impossible to get at the truth of the whole affair. But one can see clearly the deft hand of the Queen in the fall of Pak. She used him to encage Tai Won Kun. She used him to overthrow Kim Hong Chip and party. She has finally used Kim to turn the table on P. Who will be the next to fall?
12
Every Corean, of all ranks and ages seems to be exceedingly glad of the fall of P. The bloody color of the room in the night of the 6th (閏五, 十四) is naturally enough said to have been the omen for the unhappy event.
15
I was this afternoon transferred to the Foreign Office as its Vice Minister by the direct nomination of His Majesty. I do wish I were left unmoved in the Educational Department.
17
16th. (24th). Tuesday.
18
As 2 p.m. went to the Palace to receive my comission for the new appointment.
19
1. Everybody seems to be waiting for Inouye's return with much interest. Yet he would never accomplish anything, should he follow his former policy of exclusiveness. That would drive T.M and party closer to Russia.
20
2. If Japan and Russia really mean the good of Corea their influence ought to be exercised on one hand to keep T.M. from abusing their prerogatives and on the other to keep the Minstry in the way they should go.
21
3. The friendly union between the foreign representatives is absolutely necessary to break up the gang of rascals who drive the vile trade of remaining between the Palace and foreign legations breeding and nursing infernal intrigues.
22
4. The Russian Minister is said to be solicited by Q, by K and by T for his support. What am I to do? Nothing but to keep my old program of silence, sincerity, steadiness.
23
5. The brim of my hat is 2 1/2 inches, about half the ordinary width of a Corean hat. Mr. Sin Kui Sun, the Minister of War, gave me a lecture on the impropriety of wearing such a hat.
24
6. Say what you may about the narrow mindedness etc. etc. D.P. Now that he is gone, a spark of life there was in the Corean government is gone.
25
7. A Japanese named Sasaki in a written conversation with a Corean told the latter that P was engaged in plot. The Corean presented this precious document to T.M., hence the thunderbolt on P. Can anybody be safe?
27
19th. (27th). Friday. A fine day.
28
Early in the a.m. I was officially ordered to go to Chemulpo to welcome Duke Amedes, the nephew of the King of Italy. Had a most disagreeable journey―hot, dusty and slow.
30
22nd. (1st of 6th Moon). Monday.
31
Left Chemulpo at 2 p.m. with the Italian prince and his party on a river steamer chartered for the occasion. Enjoyed the river trip very well.
32
Arriving at Yongsan at 8 p.m. found, sedan chairs, ponies, coolies, "Chikekuns," police and soldiers all in confusion worse confounded. The so called guard doing anything but guarding, I had a tough time of it in keeping the baggages from being lost in the crowd. When we got to the South Gate we were told that no place had been prepared for the guests and that they were to be put up in the British Legation. I was so humiliated and mortified that I had no "face" to look at the Duke any party. But for the night what could I do but to huddle them into the Legation. As soon as I saw them in the Legation, went to see Mr. Kim Yun Sik in spite of my desperate fatigue. Explained the situation to him. He went to the Palace with me, to see if some arrangement could be come to for the accommodation of the guests tomorrow.
35
It was 5 a.m. when T.M. granted me an audience. They were very cordial to me, and I was happy to see them once more in the familiar way I used to see them 10 or 11 years ago. T.M. graciously gave me every facility to get a place ready for the guests.
36
By 10 a.m. 宗親府 was put in a tolerable shape to accomdate the guests. Audience at 2 p.m. Sightseeing from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Supper in the palace at 7:30 with music and dancing girls. A full day this has been to all concerned. Mr. Yi Ha Yong, Dr. Allen's man, has been very good to me.
38
24th. (3rd). Wednesday.
39
Up at 7:30. At 9 a.m. accompanied the Italians to the river and thence to Chemulpo. Reached the latter place at 4 p.m. Went to the Italian man of war, "Christforo Colombo," with the Duke and the party and there bade them good-bye.
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