2
3rd. (22nd of 6th Moon). Very hot.
3
In a note Dr. Allen says "It may be necessary to send a Minister to Washington. If so, I hope you will be the man. Let me know if I can serve you". He got a private letter from America to the effect that the present representative of Korea in Washington has been following a course that deserves the severest criticism―I wrote Dr. that I would be happy to visit once more the country to which I owe almost everything, except my birth.
6
It was 102 degrees F. in 典洞 yesterday.
7
The position of the governor of Seoul once more on the 輪啣 round. Scandalous! Absolutely no hope for this country.
8
The Japanese Military Headquarters carried off 吉泳洙, 李在和. In 1898, the Emperor hired peddlers of whom 吉泳洙, 李在和, 元世常 etc. were leaders, to break up the Independence Club. This year, these men, trying to get up a popular meeting, are broken up by the Japanese. Is this a kind of retribution? His Majesty, whose whole life has been spent in grabbing other people's houses and lands, now Japanese are grabbing all his barracks etc.
9
Went to see Father at 僧伽.
12
Mr. Yi Ha Yong tells me that Hayashi has consented―in a way―to drop the waste land scheme for the present.
13
At 8 p.m. went to dine at the Chinese Legation in honor of the Chinese Emperor's birthday. Of the 30 or more Korean officials invited only were present. In the days of 哀世觀, I suppose these very same Koreans who seem to think themselves above the invitation would have been only too happy and thankful to be invited by the Chinese Legation: Mean wretches!
14
The Chinese feast was tedious beyond description.
15
Since last week, the Japaneses military authorities have placed sentries at the West and Small West Gates. There is nothing that the Japanese can not do under the pretext of Military necessity―occupy where they will, arrest whom they will, take what they will. The country is practically under the Japanese rule―without the people enjoying the benefits of the Japanese land. In the meantime, the Emperor is busy selling provincial positions (電課主事, ( ) 孝參奉, 內藏卿, 漢城判尹) . In four days there were last week three governors of Seoul appointed in succession. Yi Chi Yong is the wretch who did it to please lady Umm, Minister 金世基 is said to have paid 60,000 (sixty thousand dollars) for the position of 光州觀察.
18
At 4, called on Yi Sung Man who, after nearly six years' imprisonment was released yesterday. He is a remarkable young man. While in prison, he improved his English so well that he can use and write a very nice article in that tongue. He started a school and taught many a prisoner. He was instrumental in getting up a library, through the help of Missionaries, in the prison. No doubt to him is largely due the conversion of Yi Sang Jai, Yi Won Kung, Hong Jai Kui, Kim Jung Sik, etc.
21
By appointment, called on Mr. Hayashi at 4 p.m. In substance he said;―
22
"I wanted to see you to give you an outline of the course we intend to take in Korea. We expect much of you and ask you and our friends to cooperate with us. We are going to (1) have an American advisor in the Foreign Office, making that Department more than a mere transmitting office. In that case it is necessary to have you in that office; (2) place a superintendent(Japanese) in the Finance Department; (3) to reduce the Korean army in number (4) to drop the wasteland scheme until the people are relieved of their misunderstanding(誤解) . We shall have to stop the coinage of nickels, which will cut off the supply of money for the Emperor. We may get Mr. Koto into the 內藏院, which should be managed as a private pocketbook for the palace."
23
I simply listened to him and thanking him for his confidence, I came away, Mr. Brown being just introduced.
25
15th.(5th of 7th Moon).
26
Yi Ha Yong told me that in the audience last Friday, the 12th, Hayashi tried to get the Emperor to consent, and Yi Ha Yong to sign, an agreement binding the Korean government to grant the concession as soon as a convenient opportunity arrives. The Emperor pressed by the Japanese Minister, seemed to be wavering, but Yi Ha Yong, as the Foreign Minister, stood firm, refusing to put his seal on the paper. Hurrah for Yi!
27
魚允迪 tells me that Mr. Yi H.Y. consulted him before going to the audience and that 魚 persuaded Yi not to yield. I was not a little hurt to hear that, because, as the Vice Minister, I am certainly more entitled to consultation that others in matters of this nature. All the more so because Yi knows my opinion on the waste land question from the start, I being the very first in the Foreign Office who gave him a written statement of my objections to the hellish scheme. Yi must distrust me or is jealous of me. Piecing together various little incidents I think Mr. Yi is jealous of me. At any rate I am heartily glad he had the sense to consult and the courage to follow the advice of 魚.
28
Wrote a long letter to Mr. Hayashi q. v.
29
Pak Hui Bang, a "Northerner", actually and seriously told me that the Cossaks have been seen with little tails!
30
Koreans say that Japanese military authorities are now collecting Korean coolies to use them as the "meat for cannons" by placing them (coolies) in the front ranks in the battlefields.
31
Kim Kin Sik, my friend in 天安邑―poor fellow, he is dead now―once asked me most cautiously and seriously if it is true that Foreigners even now eat Korean children!
34
Day before yesterday a heavy rain all day. So far we can not regard this year as rainy. The longest spell of rain we had was from the 15th July to the 27th July.
35
For works in 鳳凰坑, the Japanese military authorities are trying to raise or collect coolies to the total number of ( ) . This has been portioned out all over the country. Really there seems to be nothing wrong in the request; but coming as the demand did, on top of the waste land question, the suspicion and fear of the people are aroused to a high degree. Koreans say that Japanese are going to cut their topknots, and giving them a rifle apiece, intend to force them to the front of the battlefields. That is a nonsense, but Koreans are just now ready to believe anything against Japanese.
36
At 5 p.m. went to Mr. Iole's house to assist the organization of an "Educational Society" by a certain number of Koreans. The plan I suggested, with the rules etc.
37
This afternoon the Japanese Minister asked for an audience, but was refused, owing to the indispositon of His Majesty. Mr. Yi H. Y., who is himself sick, asked me to call on Hayashi (at midnight!) to explain that His Majesty could not see him today, on account of illness, and that he (Yi) would call on the Japanese Legation as soon as he (Yi) gets strong enough to go about, to settle amicably what Mr. Hayashi intended to settle in the presence of His Majesty today. At 10 p.m. had to see Mr. Hayashi to deliver this message.
38
Now what is the question?
39
It is this: Japanese asked the government of Korea to sign an agreement to the effect that "Korea shall first consult with the Japanese representative whenever Korea makes any contract with a foreign government or subjects granting them special privillges or rights. The last time Hayashi had an audience he presented to His Majesty a paper with three agreements (1) about the employment of an Adviser in the Foreign Office, (2) about the employment of superintendent 監督 in the Finance Department, (3) about the foreign contracts. The first two were signed some days ago by the Ministers of Foreign Office and of the Finance Department with the word 監督 changed into 顧問官. His Majesty hesitating to consent to the 3rd. Yi Ha Yong tried to ask Hayashi to drop or change it. But Hayashi complains that Mr. Yi Ha Yong, who promised to sign all the three proposal if the word 監督 was changed into 顧問官, has deceived him. The Japanese Minister still insists that having received the Imperial consent to all the three proposals at the last audience, he (Hayashi) would only demand that His Majesty's promise be fulfilled.
42
Was disagreeably surprised to learn that, early in the morning, I was made the Acting Minister of Foreign Office as Mr. Yi had been granted a leave during his sickness.
43
As the question can not be postponed indefinitely, I had to call on Hayashi at 5 p.m., and told him that the proposal, being derogatory to the dignity of Korean independence, and distasteful to His Majesty, should be dropped, or be changed so as to read. "No contracts shall be made between the Korean government and a Foreign government or subjects without the knowledge of the Foreign Office." To this Hayashi said in substance:
44
"My experience in Korea during the past 5 or 6 years has shown me that almost all the great problems of international complications in Korea have risen from the unwise and thoughtless contracts or treaties which the Korean government has made with Foreigners. The difficulty about Masanpo; the French loan affair; the Railroad and other foolish and dangerous contracts which Yi Yong Ik made with the French; the contract Yi Hak Kiun made with Henry etc, are some of the specimens of the kind of treaty Korea loves to make. The Yong Am Po treaty is half responsible for the present war. Only the other day, your Palace Department attempted to contract a loan of Yen 10,000,000 with a worthless Japanese! named Takaki. These thoughtless acts of your Government or Palace are a constant menace to Japan. We can not afford to go to another War for some dangerous concession your Palace may grant to some Foreign power. We have had enough of it.
45
Independence! Where did Korea get her independence? Did she fight for it? Did she pay for it? Neither. Japan gave it to Korea. If Korea thinks independence means licence to do what she wishes irrespective of the welfare of Japan, she is mistaken. You have not done a thing during the past ten years to deserve the independence. You have only abused it. Japan, having guaranted the independence of Korea, is responsible for its protection. But how is Japan to protect the independence of Korea if she (Japan) has no voice in the making of treaties between Korea and other countries? We can not trust your Palace and we do not want to be fooled again by it."
46
Hayashi's argument was so reasonable and unanswerable that I simply told him the Foreign Office could not sign the agreement until the Palace has consulted the Cabinet and the Cabinet has agreed to pass it. To refuse to sign the proposal, I must be able to guarantee two things, viz. the Emperor will never again make secret treaties with Foreigners; and (2) that reformation shall be at once carried out in real earnest. But no mortal can guarantee these two things as long as the Emperor lives. His Majesty is a "man whom no tie could bind, a man who made and broke promises with equal facility, a man whose honor had (has) been a hundred times pardoned and never redeemed."
47
All I could do was not to commit myself, though in my heart I believed such an agreement would be safe for Japan as well as Korea. Hayashi at once applied for an audience tomorrow.
50
At 4 p.m. Hayashi came to the Palace. The Emperor sick and audience not granted, but Yi Chi Yong, Min Byong Suk, and Sim Sang Hoon were charged by His Majesty to hear what the Japanese Minister had to say. I had to be present in the capacity of the Foreign Minister. Min Jong Mook was also present. Hayashi told Sim Sang Hoon pretty much what he had said to me last night. He insisted that the Emperor's promise to sign the proposal be made good. When Hayashi was through, I was surprised to hear. Sim Sang Hoon say, “If you change the clause 'Japanese representative in the Japanese government,' I see no objection to signing the agreement”. Of course, Hayashi at once consented to have the words changed, and so the agreement was practically settled on. Sim Sang Hoon promised Hayashi that the subject would be duly brought to the notice and consultation of the Cabinet tomorrow and that I should be sent to sign the agreement by 4 p.m. tomorrow.
51
Mr. Sim Sang Hoon tonight, presented a memorial asking the dismissal and due punishment of Yi Bong Nai, the Vice Minister of Home Department for coercing his Minister to issue coolie collecting circular; Hyon Yong Woon for 依賴分人措傳國權; Yi Kun Taik for his robberies when in the Department of Police.
52
봉셩이 : 아버지, 일본 병졍이 도젹놈 직히너라구 져문에 섯나요?
54
봉 : 일본 병졍이 우리나라 직혀주지오?
55
아 : 누가 그런말 데, 왜 우리나라 병졍은 업나. 네 각에 일본병졍이 우리나라를 잘 직희 것니 우리 병졍이 잘 직희것니?
58
봉 : 우리 병졍은 내나라 사람이지오. 일본병졍은 남의나라 사람이지오.
61
At 2 p.m. the Cabinet meeting was convened―Mr. Sim told me to take the "agreement" and sign it and send it to the Japanese legation, as it was unnecessary to put the document before the Cabinet. But I insisted on having it duly considered and passed by the Cabinet. So it was done. Then the agreement was signed and given to the Japanese Legation. The members of Cabinet present were:
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