2
5th. (15th of 1st Moon). Saturday. Cloudy.
3
This winter has been the warmest Seoul ever witnessed. Snow only four times in 3 months.
4
1. Yi Chai Yon, from every report I hear of him, is one of the dirtiest scoundrels that crowd the government now. He deceives many among whom I have been one, by his smiles and seeming heartiness of manner. In fact he is famous to be jealous, mean, covetous. He takes good care not to let anybody come between H.M. and the U.S. Legation. Dr. Allen believes in him as an article of faith.
5
2. It is disheartening to find that every fellow who is running after office has not a spark of disinterested patriotism. Kim Yong Joon who professes a great deal of admiration(?) and friendship for me is a typical intriguant of the Corean school. He has the French Legation as his patron saint.
6
3. The only hope for Corean reformation is another cleaning out like that of '94, manning the government with the youths now in Japan. Every old official in the government now is either a fool or a rascal or both.
7
4. A Palace frequenter told me the other day that Speyer had actually told H.M. to dismiss from his favor Min Yong Chol, Min Yong Kui, Yi Chai Soon, Choi Yong Ha, Kang Suk Ho, and Lady Um.
9
7th. (17th). Monday. Pretty.
10
In the evening called on Dr. Jaisohn and suggested that we might induce the club to memorialize to H.M. on some unimportant political theme. The doctor approved of the plan heartily and said that we might remind H.M. how flagrantly his ministers have violated his solemn promises which be made in his ancestral temple to carry out reforms in '94. Dr. J. asked me how it is that the people suffer oppressions so patiently. I explained the fact by the popular dread of the regular army― which is as effective against domestic foes as it is useless against a foreign enemy.
12
8th. (18th). Tuesday. Pretty.
13
For the first time rode my wheel from the Bell Tower straight to the East Gate. On the way home, called on Yi Choong Koo, the Commander of Police. I like this man because he doesn't flatter. He does his business honestly and fearlessly. He is believed to have obtained the position thro the Russian influence: but an honest man is an honest man for all that. He is much hated by the crowd of little office seekers in the Palace. He said to me that Yi Chai Soon, Min Yong Chol, Paik Un Kui, and C. whose names are said to have been mentioned to His M. for dismissal from the Palace, have coined the fable that Yi Choong Koo intended to shoot them down on the last day of old Corean year (Jan. 21 '98) . These rascals now spend the nights in the Palace pretending to be afraid of arrest in their homes. Yi has been refused an audience during the past few days. Nobody pleases H.M. better than dishonest men.
15
9th. (19th). Thursday. Cold.
16
A big snow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
17
Took supper at Mr. Kwon Chai Hiong's. Kim Yong Joon was with us. Kwon is one of the very few Corean official whose amiability cloaks no treachery, whose accomplishments harbor no conceit and whose friendship respects no persons. He and Kim are on the closest terms, calling each other brother.
18
By the way there are people in Seoul who are particularly given to making "brothers" with those whose alliance is deemed profitable. These "fraternities", in most of which I put a very slight trust, are so numerous in that official class that one can hardly meet a fellow who is not a "brother" some influential man.
19
Kim Yong Joon asked me to go about among foreign representatives to gather some news and to prejudice them against Min Yong Chun who desires to come out. Monsieur Kim could not have chalked out a line of conduct for me more uncongenial to my taste than legation haunting and back-biting people.
21
13th. (23th). Sunday. Beautiful.
22
At 11 a.m. went to 京城學堂 a Japanese school for Corean boys to address the students. Dr. Jaisohn was also there.
23
Our speeches were well received.
24
Took lunch at Dr. Jaisohn's. At 3 we went to the Club. The question before the meeting was resolved that the submission to slavery is an insult to Heaven and Man. The subject brought forward a number of radical speeches―one even hinting that his Maj. is a slave to a certain Power. Another went as far as to say that the nation who is enslaving us is now building the Siberian R.R. on which we might be compelled to work were we to become her slaves. As a stream pent up breaks thro, with violence the least breach in the dam, so these men whose mouths have been gagged by despotism for centuries talk with greater zeal than wisdom the first chance they have for free utterances. I am afraid this will hurt the Club.
25
When I was called forward to talk, I said in substance: Mr. President the question before us has been discussed in a manner that needs no further remarks from me. Some have said too much, others too little. Yet I notice that one spirit, one desire animates all, namely that, our country and our sovereign shall be equal to all and inferior to none. Now, from what I have heard today, all here assembled regard the present condition of our country as being very critical. People are oppressed, yet His Maj. hears nothing of the fact. But let a foreign man of war appear on our waters. His Maj. is scared by interested persons. We, as the Club, should inform His M. that it is the misadministration of internal affairs and not the presence of foreign gunboats that threatens the safety of the Kingdom. Why shouldn't we send up a memorial to this effect to the Throne?
26
After the regular debate was closed, I moved to memorialize H.M. The motion was carried by something like 50 against 4. Yi Yun Yong and Yi Wan Yong opposed, but the latter said after the meeting that he really liked the proposition.
27
A committee of five was appointed to prepare a memorial.
29
15th. (25th). Tuesday. Beautiful.
30
The memorial proposition has created a sort of sensation in official circles. Those who are out of office and those who have an inkling of democratic principles approve the motion while the "in's" are strongly opposed to it.
32
20th. (30th). Wednesday. Windy-cold.
33
At 3 p.m. the memorial committee presented to the Club a copy of memorial drawn up by them. Was accepted. I moved to write the memorial in Chino-Corean, thus giving to all classes a facile means of addressing His Majesty. Yi Wan Yong opposed to it. Our side lost the motion 57 against 67.
34
The public showed their lively interest in the affair by filling up the Hall to its utmost capacity.
35
We want to create and lead a strong patriotic opinion in the people.
37
22th. (2nd of 2nd Moon). Tuesday. Gloomy-cold.
38
A number of Underwood's Xians wanting to publish a paper (Seoul News) desire me to be its editor. For the purpose of encouraging all good movements I consented to help them for a month during which they might find another man to take charge of the paper.
39
At 3 with Jaisohn, Kwon Chai Hiong, Yi Wan Yong set out for Suh Bing Ko(西氷庫) to attend the late Mr. Soh K.P's burial service. The weather gloomy, windy and cold and the hill side selected for our friend's grave bare and exposed. Very few of his old friends present. Dr. Scranton who came later gave a short funeral sermon to the small gathering, most of whom were coolies noisy and unsympathetic. Soh used to be fond of fine dresses and high living. All the luxuries of the world can be of no use to him now as his ashes rest in the earthen home scarcely six feet by one. Vanity of vanities!
40
To him the mysteries and riddles of this life are no more. In the other world he may meet his friends and enemies who preceded him. Wonder what tales the late Queen will have to tell him.
41
He leaves a widow of superior character of whom he was in some respects unworthy.
42
Returned tired and cold at 9 p.m.
44
23rd. (3rd). Wednesday. Bright. Biting-cold.
45
Yesterday evening 8 or 9 o'clock, Tai Won Kun died.
46
One of the disturbing elements in Corean politics gone.
47
Last night between 10 and 11, Kim Hong Niuk, on his way to the Russian Legation from the Palace was attacked by three would-be assassins. While two of them, so the story runs, threw down the policeman who escorted Kim, one gave a blow on K's neck which was protected by a thick fur "hui-yang". K's ear and arm were― it is said― a little scratched. That was all. What is the use of killing K? However, his escape seems to be a matter of universal regret. All "cuss" the would-be assassins not because they attempted to murder the unimportant "Regent" but because they failed.
49
24th. (4th). Thursday. Windy-cold.
50
From 10 a.m. a terrible wind and dust storm all through the night.
52
26th. (6th). Saturday. Bright. Biting-cold.
53
Yi Chai Soon, the ex-Household Minister was arrested today as an instigator of the attempt on Kim's life. A rascal trying to kill another rascal―what's the difference?
54
As may be expected, the Russ. Legation seems going to make a great occasion of the attack. No matter who does what, he will have to hold H.M. very tight.
55
H.M. is much and justly reproached for not having visited Tai Won Kun before or after his death. Nothing good can be hoped of him.
57
27th. (7th). Sunday. Bright.
58
A thin layer of snow last night seems to have given a vent to exceedingly blue mood in which the weather has been for the past week or two. The sun shines bright and comparatively warm.
59
To the Club as usual. Was elected the Vice President of the Club. The assembly decided to send a letter to Min Chong Muk, the Acting Minister of F.O. to inquire on what conditions he expects to concede 80,000 metres of ground on the Deer Island to Russia for her coal station. While such an action of the Club can produce no change for the better in Corean affairs, it is certainly remarkable that a body of people should institute an inquiry into the official conduct a Minister of State in Corea. The waves of democracy are faintly beating on the rocky shores of Corean politics.
61
28th. (2th). Monday. Gloomy-cold
62
Began this morning a series of talks on physical geography to the boys of Pai Chai School.
63
Last night Yi Choong Koo, the Commander of Police was disgraced of the charge of having arrested Yi Chai Soon, a 勅任 official and a member of the Royal Family, without first obtaining the sanction of His M. While Yi Choong Koo is to be censured for the blunder, I am sorry that the only honest fellow in the government is out.
64
Jaisohn told me that he intends to sell his newspaper plant to a foreigner, that he would like to have me continue the paper on the present policy, that he would try to persuade the foreigner who may buy the plant to engage me on salary, and that he wants to join himself to some money making enterprise and I said that I would gladly take the work provided I be free to enter the government service whenever a chance favors me.
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