2
1st. (20th of 11th Moon, Moosool Year). Sunday. Beautiful.
3
Only two snows up to date. We are having a series of lovely days.
4
The chapel services this morning as usual.
5
In the p.m. (about 2) Jung Hang Mo(鄭恒模) called on me. He said that Messrs. Han Kiu Sul, Kwon Jai Hyong, Min Yong Whan and Min Byeung Suk succeeded yesterday evening in obtaining the promise of Min Yong Kui to make peace with the People's Party. Min Yong Kui was to present a memorial to the Throne withdrawing the charges of treason which he had made against the popular leaders.
6
Had a visit from Yi Chai Yon, the Governor of Seoul, at about 4 p.m. He is great a trimmer. He always gets out of his office when there is some awkward job to handle (such as the mass meetings etc.) but slips back into it when things become quiet again. He professes great affection for me(!) He told me that Min Yong Kui is gradually losing his influence over the Emperor.
7
Yu Kui Whan and Yi Kui Tong, two of the five villains, were pardoned from their exile last night.
8
The Emperor, so called is―well no use talking about him.
9
The people who think Pak Yong Hio a traitor simply because the Emperor said so deserve no better ruler than the puppet now on the throne. Like the prince, like the people.
11
5th. Thursday. Pretty.
12
At 9 a.m. Mr. Kim Yong Joon called on me. He was for a short while the Commissioner of Police during the late People's Meeting. Being suspected of partiality to peddlers, his resignation was clamored for. Three days after appointment he was transfered to the position of the Governor of Kangwondo. He is a typical Korean intriguer―very affable but rather unscrupulous. Well, he told me how he tried his best to save me from all sorts of secret and open dangers; how he had been misunderstood by the people and how he desired to do something for the country. He showed me a letter which Yun Kil Byung(尹吉炳) , 崔廷德, 李什晩, 安寧洙, 高羲俊, 洪在基, 鄭奭奎, 俞學柱
13
had written to him yesterday, asking him to cooperate. This was a surprise to me, as these men were the loudest in condemning him. Told him to make friends with them, as they are men zealous in the cause of progress.
14
Kim told me that Min Yong Kui and he had begged His Majesty to send me out of Seoul in the capacity of a Governor or a "Kam-ni", and that this was done at the earnest request of my father. I told him I did not want to leave Seoul just yet and requested him to prevent my being appointed to an outside position. He informed me that His Majesty is dead against Ko Yong Kun and that it is impossible to get Ko or Yi Sang Jai made the Commissioner of Police even for a week.
15
Hearing that the "radicals" wanted to start the mass meeting tomorrow, I called on Ko Yong Kun and explained why such meetings should not be held now. Mr. Kato, the Japanese Minister is also against such meetings.
16
What bothers and scares me more than anything else is the cry of the food venders for payment ― of nearly3,200. The last meetings cost us nearly6,000! The Koreans are thoroughly unreliable in money matters. The best of them will stick his fingers into the pie. The idea of spending 6,000 in 17 days! The worst part of it is that I shall have to bear a large of portion of the burden!
18
7th. Saturday. Beautiful.
19
My father and mother are positively set against my continuing the Independence! Their whole desire is that I should do nothing. The argument that downs me most is, "You may not regard your own safety, but why do you insist on endangering our lives by your so called patriotism?" They have suffered so much in the past that their nerves are completely shattered. The least alarm throws them into trembling and actual fits. I can not bear to go too hard against their wishes, no matter how justifiable my actions be in agitations against the corrupt Palace.
20
Those who are playing the biggest devilment with His Majesty now are 閔景植, the pro-Russianite, 崔榮夏, 李翰榮, 李根鎔, 金明福. Yi Kun Yong is the present Commissioner of Police plus the Commander of a Regiment of the Guard. He made friends with a Yun Sei Yong, a returned student from Japan and a known partisan of Pak Yong Hio, and warmed out some secrets (so called) . Then, the other day, Yi grabbed him and put him into jail! Yi Han Yong(李翰榮) is said to have informed the Emperor of a plot the day before yesterday and several arrests have been made. This hopeful young fellow, Yi Han Yong, the Commander of a Regiment of the Guard, was yesterday made the Governor of Seoul. What the Emperor and his hell-dogs are concocting nobody knows.
21
Late this afternoon I was informed that I have been appointed the Kamni of Wonsan! I am in a fearful fix. What am I to do with the paper? Dr. Reid wants me to join him in the Mission work to set up the educational enterprise at Songdo. Father and mother urge me with threats and tears to leave this volcano, as nothing can be done under present circumstances.
24
At 2 p.m. called on Mr. Appenzeller. He informed me that General Greathouse had inquired after the price etc. of the Independent. I told Mr. Appenzeller that, as I shall, so far as I can see, have to give up the paper, it would be best for him to sell it if he could. Our fear is that Dr. Jaisohn's price ($7,000) minus the property, will scare away any customer.
25
Called on Dr. Allen and had the following conversation:
26
T.H.Y.: "When the press regulations be out and enforced, will the 'Independent' of both editions claim any legal protection from the American Legation on account of its being the property of an American citizen?"
27
Allen: "Not a particle! If anyone should smash up the property, the Legation may protest and claim a damage. But I can extend no protection whatsoever to any Korean in the office. In a letter, Dr. Jaisohn asked me to protect you and the paper. But I answered him the other day that I could not do so and that I was very glad, for your sake, of the suspension of the paper.
28
As your friend, I advise you not to have any more to do with the paper. A Korean can not do it ― under a government like this."
29
T.H.Y.: "Thanks for your advice, under the circumstances, I am afraid I shall not be able to continue the editorship. In my contract with Dr. Jaisohn, I was engaged for one year, but that I could resign the position by giving notice to the Company 4 months beforehand. Now in August, when there were troubles on account of the Krein and O'Niel affair, I wrote to Dr. Jaisohn and 'tendered my resignation.' Four months have passed. Should I discontinue the paper, would I be responsible before the law for any breach of faith?"
30
Allen: "No, that is if you have received an answer from him acknowledging the receipt of your notice."
31
T.H.Y.: "Oh yes, I got a letter from him begging me not to resign but to keep the paper up. I wrote him last November that I would keep it up as long as I could."
32
Allen: "If so, that is all right. You are free to leave the work any time you want to. By the way, I hope no American, at least, will take up the job."
33
This afternoon about 3, Yi Sung Man was arrested in the Japanese settlement and carried to the Police Station. It is believed that his name was mentioned in the confession, so called, of Yun Sei Yong. Jung Hang Mo came near being caught in front of Dr. Sherman's hospital. Fortunately he escaped. Yi went out after having seen Jung, so that Yi had nobody to blame so much as his own foolhardiness. Will it be possible to get up a meeting in front of the court, like the one held when the 17 Independents were imprisoned? No! because;
34
1. Then the independents had the entire sympathy of the people. Now the populace is turned against all who had anything to do with the Club or the People's Meeting, on account of Pak Yong Hio's affair.
35
2. Then the weather was mild; Now it is bitterly cold.
36
3. Then people freely contributed money etc. to help on the agitation. Now there are hundreds of people to whom we owe 3,200 and who will insult us and clamor for the payment of the debt, as soon as they see us.
37
4. Then the charge against the 17 prisoners was of such nature as to be applicable to one and all of the members. Now the charge is specitic, saying that Yi and a few others plotted with Yi Ku Wan and Whang Chul to dethrone His Majesty. Then the members could say that there was nothing which the prisoners could do in the Club without the full consent of the majority of the members present in a meeting. Now, can we hold ourselves responsible for the private conduct and thoughts of Yi Sung Man?
38
5. Then there were several loyal and energetic members who could work up and keep up the meetings. Even then it was very hard to keep the crowd from entirely dispersing. Now all those who can talk are under suspicion with a pack of detectives watching to catch them. So that there is no body to work up a meeting, much less to keep it up.
39
6. Then the experiment was so new that the government was taken by surprise, while the people were fearless, because they had never met with reverses. Now, the government is fully armed and ready to squash any popular demonstrations, while the people have become scary and fainthearted.
42
At 7 p.m., met Ko Yong Kun in the house of a Japanese friend. In the course of conversation Mr. Ko asked me if I intended to accept the Kamniship of Wonsan. As I have always been very open and confidential to him I said "so far as I am personally concerned, I do not want to accept the office, but the entreaties of my parents are such that I can not bear to slight them. The sufferings which they had gone through on my accout in the years past, and the present dangers under which I have placed them and myself give me no 'face' to gainsay them. They want me to take the position in order to pacify the Emperor, I do not see how I can well refuse to oblige my parents in the matter."
43
Ko seemed to be offended and said that my father owed his promotion to the portfolio of Law to the Man Min Kong Dong Hoi(萬民共同會) ; that he (Ko) well knew the friendship between my father and Min Yong Kui; that he wished me success in the office which had been secured by my father by means fair or foul(盤計曲廷) ; that he had not expected me to act so etc. These attacks, nasty and unfair, on my father and me were simply astonishing from a man whom I had regarded as a sympathetic friend. If I tried to argue with him I knew the scene would end in an ugly explosion of passions. So I said, "If you talk that way I have nothing further to say to you. I can not afford to argue myself into a quarrel with you, for whom I entertain much respect. Let us be silent on the subject. We must, however, talk about the means of paying even partially the debt which will be due on the 26th instant." (舊臘十五)
44
Ko said, "Suppose you and I undertake to pay the whole debt of3,200?"
45
I said that, "I can not. I have neither money nor inclination. I am willing to pay200 for the partial satisfaction of the debtors if you consent to do that much. For the rest, we must take up a collection among the members of the Club and its friends." To this plan Ko agreed. It was past midnight when we parted.
46
I feel hurt by Ko's unkind talk because;
47
1. Did he or anybody else convene the People's Meeting with the express purpose of getting my father appointed the Minister of Law? Or has he or anyone else recommended my father to the government for the position?
48
2. Ko knew very well that I had never worked for an office; that I had never sought the favor of anyone in power; that I had never stooped to dissimulation or flattery or treachery. If my father exerted his level best to get me a position away from Seoul, the center of dangers etc., was it anything to be censured?
49
3. Besides I had told Ko weeks ago that my father, through Kim Yong Joon, tried to get me a provincial position Ko never objected to that.
50
On the other hand I would have been only too happy if Ko had succeeded in getting an appointment enabling him to be out of the city. There is nothing that Ko might do which I would in the least suspect of being inimical to me personally or to the Club. But Ko has never shown himself a generous friend. Sometime ago he came near fighting with me for having inserted a notice in the Korean Independent that the Club would hold its regular meeting in the Independence Hall outside of the city. Ko thought that I might hold a meeting and propose something against him! I pacified him then with the assurance that the notice was simply to remind the public of the existence of the Club and that I had not the remotest idea of doing anything to hurt his reputation or welfare. Ko exhibits on all occasions a true Korean spirit ― suspicious, vulgar, envious and spoiled.
51
I have now decided to have no confidential dealings with a man who so little appreciates my sincere and confiding friendship.
53
21th. Saturday. Very cold.
54
For the past week we have had very bitterly cold weather.
55
Mr Kim Yong Joon called on me and said that Min Yong Kui, Sim Sang Hoon, Cho Pyong Sik etc., are going to organize a Cabinet among themselves and that a big prison affair (獄事) is to be raised, the intended victims being 28 including myself. He warned me not to leave Seoul.
56
Mr. Matunine left Seoul this morning. By the way, I saw him last night, when he advised me not to accept the Kamni office. But Mr. Pavloff, the new Russian Minister, had told me to take the office by all means in order to pacify His Majesty!
59
At 8:30 p.m. went to see Mr. Sim Sang Hoon. Asked him to beg His Majesty to release me from the office, as I felt uneasy to accept it after having displeased His Majesty so much, and as it is rather indelicate to leave the Seoul as an officer when my companions are either actually or in fear of being imprisoned. "I shall leave Seoul and go abroad at once," said I, "if the Emperor so desires." Mr. Sim promised to report the same to His Majesty.
60
According to Sim, His Majesty is more angry with Ko Yong Kun than with me. Min Yong Kui is said to be irreconcilably opposed to Ko, and Lady Um herself is unable to intercede for Ko―her former paramour―to the Emperor for the present. Sim is a shrewd man and knows how to balance himself in these times of violent changes.
62
23rd. Monday. Cold and pretty.
63
A thoroughly anti-reform cabinet is to be formed with the partisans of peddlers, and workers of iniquity.
64
This evening a young fellow, named Choi Kyung Whan, came to Dr. Sherman's place and told the following story to the band of refugees now in hiding there.
65
Yesterday, a cousin of his, Choi Bong Whan, took him to the concubine's house of a Palace constable named Kim Su Hong. There, in the inner chamber, Choi Kyung Whan found Kil Yong Soo, the notorious ex-President of Peddlers, Kim Su Hong, and two other strangers. Kim and Kil received Choi K.W. most cordially, treating him to wine etc., calling him brother. Then Kim told Choi K.W. that he (Choi) would be rewarded with the office of a 警務官 and with the privilege of nocturnal audiences, if he should join Kil and Kim to inform His Majesty that the People's Meeting is now planning to make Pak Yong Hio the King of Korea with Ko Yong Kun as the Prime Minister and T.H. Yun and other prominent Independents as the Ministers of State. Then Kil asked Choi to name the followers of Ko Yong Kun, of Yi Sang Jai and of T.H.Y.Choi, scared, named six or more as the followers of Ko, over 40 as the partisans of T.H.Y., and ten or so as the associates of Yi Sang Jai. Kil took these names down and said that warrants would soon be out for the arrest of these men. "Assassins are already on duty everywhere," continued the ex-butcher, "but I shall ask His Majesty to give you a royal secret badge to enable you to claim the protection of the Police or of the Army in case of danger." Then Kil hurried to the Palace, urging Choi to stay in Kim's house until he be sent for from the Palace. But Choi got uneasy and escaped to Dr. Sherman's place to warn us of the plot.
66
Sent the report to Sim Sang Hoon and Min Yong Kui asking them to break up the plot in order to save innocent men from trouble. What a hell this city of iniquity seems to be!
68
24th. Tuesday. Pretty.
69
This morning a note from my father told me that Min Yong Kui, on being informed of the report of Choi Kyung Whan, assured father that there was nothing to be afraid of in Kil's plot!
70
Sim Sang Hoon sent word to me this afternoon saying that he had informed His Majesty of what I had told him the other night and that His Majesty was unwilling to send me abroad; and that His Majesty graciously insisted on my going to Wonsan. The Emperor said to Sim, "Tell Yun to go to Wonsan without fear. Tell him go by the sea and not over land!" How kind he is―if he can only be trusted!
71
Sin Kui Sun was made the Minister of Education and Min Yong Kui, the Minister of Finance.
73
25th. Wednesday. Beautiful.
74
Dr. Reid told me this morning to accept the Kamni office as my refusal would give occasion to my enemies to accuse me to His Majesty of my persistent disobedience.
75
A note from Father tells me to keep indoors for some days until further notice. What is up, I wonder!
76
Several men have been employed during the past week or so in soliciting contributions for the payment of the debt on the 26th. Only about200 contributed―and in promises! Only a little over50 collected. What is to be done? Tomorrow the legion of debtors will be howling about in the streets like a pack of wolves―I am afraid my little house outside of the city will be in danger. If this is patriotism―ah―I am tired of Korean patriotism. It's a most unpaying and unproductive business―no word of thanks from the people or the hope of any improvements either. Prince Uiwha, according to the report of Mr. Yi Ha Yung, is a perfect no-account. He knows nothing or cares for nothing or loves nothing but women. He swindled5,000 out of Cho(趙) , whom His Majesty had sent to Tokio to buy machines for making guns. The hopeful Prince wasted the amount in 3 months. The young man, if what I hear is true, must be sadly destitute of all sense of honor or patriotism.
79
The People's Meeting―debtors were not paid on the 16th. If everybody were free now, it would not be so hard to raise a thousand or so of dollars. But now nobody dares to give any money to the People's Meeting folks.
80
This afternoon at about 3 崔廷植, 徐相大 and 李承晩 ran away from the jail. The former two managed to make good their escape by going into the Trilingual Press, but 李 got scared and was caught by a squad of soldiers who happened to pass by the West Gate road. 李 shows very little sense. He never thinks of consequences.
|
