2
1st. Saturday. Beautiful.
3
Y.M.C.A. as usual. About 10 a.m. Mr. 陸 told me that 朴熙道 had sent for his books; that something was going to happen today; and that as 朴's manner had been quite unusual, he must be at something. Mr. 山縣悌三郞 took lunch with me.
4
A little after 1 p.m. detectives came to the Building and searched every room and drawer for some documents. About 1:30 great shouting of a multitude was heard from the street. Looking out through the windows we saw the streetful of students and others running toward the Bell Square shouting "Mansei". The boys waved caps and handkerchieves. The pitiful sight of these simple youths running voluntarily into certain dangers in the name of patriotism brought tears to my eyes. We decided to close the Building altogether to avoid any complications. The streets soon filled with soldiers, mounted police, detectives and gendarmes busy arresting ring leaders in the crowd. Great excitement everywhere. The 獨立宣言書 signed by 33 men seem to be very poorly written. 孫秉熙 needs the hit. 3 Southern Methodists, four Northern Methodists, one Buddist.
6
2nd. Sunday. Beautiful.
8
Worshipped in the 宗橋 Church as usual. Rev. Gerdin preached, the streets full of country people in white. In the afternoon 方漢昇 a reporter of the 大阪每日新聞 called on me. In order to define my standing clearly I had to repeat to him what I have been telling every young Korean of late, viz.: 1. The question of Korean indedendence will have no occasion to appear in the Peace Conference. 2. There is no power in Europe or America which will be so foolish as to offend Japan by espousing the cause of Korea. 3. If independence were given us, we are not ready to be profited thereby.
9
Japan gave us independence in 1894. What did we do with it. 4. When a weak race has to live with a strong one the former must win the good will of the latter as a matter of self-preservation. 5. This foolish agitation of the students are only prolonging the military administration of Korea. If shouting Manseis through the streets will win a national independence there can be no subject nation or race in the world! 6. Don't be deceived by schemers like the 天道敎 people.
11
3rd. Monday. Beautiful.
13
Up at 5 a.m. About 6:30 I went to 黃金町 and took my stand on the side walk south side of the street, set apart for the members of the Red Cross Society. The Funeral Procession in Japanese style passed by about 9 a.m. With sadness indescribable I reverently took off my hat to the Bier that contained the mortal remains of the Ex-Emperor. As the 大轝 passed by us in great solemness, some of the Japanese laughed while others kept hats on. The Koreans who held the lines in front of the great palanquin said to these Japanese. 무에 조아 웃니? Others said, "Was that fellow born with his hat on?"
14
An almost interminable line of soldiers with arms reversed marched by in perfect order. One Japanese said "Kono kurai no hei-dai wo midara, josenjin wa bigu bigu suru taro. Ha-ha." 2d J. "sayo rambo-sha mo mina hei-sok shidane". 3d. J. "Sodono josenjin wa otonashi yo. Tata senkyoshi gakko no sho sei ga ran bo ta. Anna mono wa mina ro ni butsi konde shima nagashi shita hoga ye yo." Rest at home whole afternoon. 鄭華基 told me that the 天道敎人 are planning disturbance tomorrow; that students firmly believe in the assassination of the Ex-Emperor by 尹 . . etc.
16
4th. Tuesday. Beautiful.
17
Y.M.C.A. as usual. The agitators circulate the statements that the Ex-Emperor was poisoned by 尹德榮, 韓相鶴 by putting something in 食酸, and that a document was signed by 尹德榮, 李完用, 趙重應, 韓相龍, 申興雨 to prove that the Korean people are happy and contented with the Japanese administration. The students are literally gnashing their teeth against 申興雨 if all I hear from 鄭華基 and 邊壎 are true. These two caution me to be careful as the agitators are 辱ing me for not participating in the movement. I am between the devil and the deep.
18
金貞植 came and told me this morning that he had suggested to Dr. Gale to see Judge Watanabe and to recommend a plan for the creation of a advisory council among the Koreans. Played 將器 with 白象圭 most p.m.
19
Mr. 神崎 asked me to see me 7:30 p.m. He told me that he had received an information that a lot of Korean flags are secreted in the Y. Bdg and that a demonstration is to be started from the Y.M.C.A. tomorrow morning. I thanked him and went straight to Y. and searched each room to see anything unusual in hiding. Then asked Mr. Gregg to inspect the Bdg. during the night. 李一 who sleeps in the Bdg. is distrusted by many as a spy.
21
5th. Wednesday. Beautiful―warm.
23
Went to Y.M.C.A. at 6:30 a.m. to see if anything was going amiss. All quiet in the Bdg. About 10:30 demonstration took place near the Bell. Saw the police busy dragging in girls and young men who participated in the demonstration. I couldn't help sobbing at the sight. But how helpless I am! Called on Dr. Gale to caution him not to suggest to the Japanese authorities any Korean names whose opinion they might ask for the solution of the problem, as the Japanese are very touchy about foreigners' interference. Dr. Gale seemed rather sympathetic with the Koreans for he, acknowledged that Japan has failed, during last 10 years to win the heart of the people.
24
Called on Niwa, then 渡瀨牧師. I told them how sincerely I am opposed to the agitation and suggested that Japan should investigate the causes of the Koreans' dissatisfaction in thorough manner. Mr. 渡瀨 blamed Christian pastors for cooperating with 天道敎 people, and the missionary or either having started the movements or having been ignorant of the plot. He seemed to fail to understand that the real root of the trouble is the dissatisfaction of the Korean people throughout the country and that the movement started in Tokyo and not in Seoul. 渡瀨 said 申興雨 had gone to Japan.
26
6th. Thursday. Rain, almost in the a.m. 47℉.
27
Y.M.C.A. as usual. 方台榮 and a Japanese representative of the 京城日報 called on me this afternoon. They said that the authorities had just given the local papers permission to publish the news of the recent demonstrations and that they wanted to know exactly what I thought about the affair. The necessity of defining my attitude was thus laid on me. Any ambiguity in my statement would at once subject me to the cruel suspicion of the Powers that be, and mislead many a young Korean. I couldn't afford to sit on two horses. So I gave my three reasons for disapproving the movement. (1) The Korean question will have no chance for appearing in the Peace Conference. (2) No nation in Europe or America will run the risk of fighting Japan for Korean independence. (3) When a weak race has to live with a strong one, the best policy for the weak is to win the good will of the strong.
30
Y.M.C.A. as usual. The Japanese papers in the city began to publish the news and facts of the disturbance today. The 京城日報 has put me in an embarassing situation by publishing my reasons for not joining the popular uprising. Impossible to please all parties, tho.
31
Mr. Niwa tells me that my statement is welcome by the Japanese who suspected that the Y.M.C.A. was the centre of the movement.
32
The Ex-Emperor or Korea, whose sudden death, has proved to be a cue to the great disturbance, used to have one simple word to send any man to prison. That was the word, "Pro-Japanese." The Japanese in Korea has one convenient word to make anybody miserable. That word is: "Anti-Japanese."
34
8th. Saturday. Little shower―in the morning.
35
Went to Y.M.C.A. about 10:30 a.m. The Korean public seems to be much offended by my frank statement of the reasons why I have refused to join the movement. The young men in the Bdg. itself show decided coolness to me. Received letter (anonimous) charging me with having been in the pay of the Japanese and having committed a crime that can't be pardoned!
36
1 a.m. called on Judge Watanabe. He regretted (confidentially) that the Government General had not put in practice what it fully intended to do in the way of equal treatment of Korean and Japanese employees officers in the Government. He also was afraid that any concession on the part of the Government might establish a precedence―making the Koreans believe that whenever they want anything, all they have to do is to start a demonstration. Felt exceeding tired and ill in the evening.
38
9th. Sunday. Rain and cool all day. 45℉.
39
Stayed at home. The stores on the main streets all closed. Somebody called on the Y.M.C.A. thruough the phone three times to join the demonstration at 11:30 near the Bell. 順龍 the janitor being the receiver of the message told the "Somebody" that the Y. Bdg. is empty, the Bell street is so well guarded and patrolled by soldiers, police, gendarmes and detectives that no demonstration could show its head.
40
My heart bleeds at the sufferings of my people while my head aches to know what to do to help them. The Japanese authorities should call a few leading Koreans and find out the whys of the Korean restlessness. The Japanese are so thoroughly Kaiserized in heart and head that they believe in nothing but force in their administration of Korean. History has taught us that above a Kaiser there is God.
42
10th. Monday. Very cold―Bright. 2℃.
43
Went to Y.M.C.A. about 1:30 p.m. The streets full of crowd. Stores stay closed. Conductors on the tram-cars seem to have quit. The agitators are so incensed against me for my frank statements that they threaten me with violence.
44
The sight of the school girl patrols being removed from the police station to the detention prison naturally arouses the fiercest sentiment of hatred and anger in the bosoms of the Korean people. The authorities should have let these girls go.
45
The U.S. Governor Genl. of Philippines is reported, in the papers, to be so anxious to have the Philippines make the best showing possible in the coming Far Eastern Olympiad that he has issued a call to all his people in the islands to cooperate with him for a great preparation. Compare them with the fact that the Japanese authorities would not allow the Korean boys to have even an inter-school sport in Seoul.
47
11th. Tuesday. Pale―chilly.
48
Mr. 金貞植 told me this morning that Mr. 渡瀨, 金麟 are trying to start a counter movement disapproving the anti-Japanese agitation. Mr. 金貞植 while pro-Japanese is true to Korea.
49
Mr. Brockman dropped in to see me and informed me that Mr. 宇佐美 had an interview with Dr. Gale, Avison, Noble and Whitmore, that the foreigners give him a very straight talk about the causes of the Korean disaffection―the racial discrimination, the supplanting Korean villages with Japanese immigrants, etc.
50
Entertained Pastor 山本忠義 to Korean supper at my home. Mr. 金貞植 present. Mr. 山本 seems to be more liberal and sympathetic than pastor 渡瀨. I told him some of the main causes of the Korean discontent. Mr. 山本 himself advanced the suggestion that the authorities should have a full and frank talk with the leaders of the movement now in prison showing them what can be complied with and what can't be.
52
12th. Wednesday. Pale―chilly to the bone. Hale about 4 p.m.
53
Stayed at home. Attended the Directors' Meeting at Mr. Gregg's home. After everybody had left, Mr. 丹羽, Judge Watanabe and I had a little chat. Mr. 丹羽 regretted that the Japanese public in Korea is showing too much of an anti-Missionary attitude. Judge 渡邊 said it was almost impossible to convince the gendarmerie that the missionaries have had nothing to do in the present uprising in Korea. I suggested that the Government General might invite the Korean public to send written statements of their grievances against the administration.
55
13th. Thursday. Bright but chilly.
56
Stayed at home. 2 p.m. called on, but missed Mr. 山縣五十雄 who returned to Seoul yesterday. Had a long chat with Mr. 山縣悌三郞. He hopes that the Government General will adopt a more liberal policy after this. I was surprised to hear Mr. 悌三郞 say that Mr. 申興雨 is acting too much an autocrat in the school, that he(申) is a politician, ambitious and scheming; that the authorities are not very well satisfied with the way 申's school is conducted; and that his school, while all fine in external manners of the boys, is wrong in the matter of spirit(精神) . I wonder what he meant by spirit.
57
Mr. 永野淸 of the Central Police Headquaters came to see me. I told him three great causes of Koreans' disaffection toward the administration (1) Hopelessness (in official advancement) (2) Insecurity of property―the artificial colonization of the Development Company,―the heartless annulment of little deeds issued only a few years ago. (3) No organ or method to make grievances known.
59
14th. Friday. Pale―chilly.
60
Stayed at home. 陸完洙 told me this morning that 申興雨 desires to make a public address in Y.M.C.A. Miss to see where the Korean public stands in its attitude toward him. By the way Mr. 申 is popularly believed to have signed with 趙重應, 李完用, 韓相龍, a document declaring the fact that the Koreans are perfectly happy under the Japanese rule.
61
I hear 李通津 is in a desperate condition of poverty. His elder boy 時雨 eloped with a Japanese geisha while his second son 時和 is passing his time in drinking and beating his wife. By the way 時和 used to be a model young man obedient to parents, kind to his wife and honest in his dealings―when he was Christian. Now that he is wise after the flesh, he is beating his wife, wallowing in mud in general driving his gray-haired father into a grave of despair. However his father may be said to be 2/3 responsible for the beastly conduct of his sons.
63
15th. Saturday. Pale and chilly.
64
Went to Y.M.C.A. about 10 a.m. Arranged a meeting with 神崎署長 at the Pagoda Restaurant at 11. Asked him if he thought it advisable for us to have the regular Sunday afternoon meeting at which Mr. 申興雨 might deliver an address on purely religious subject. 神崎 said it was too early yet. Some disturbance might happen in such a meeting that would set the popular agitation a flame again. The police inspectors is of the opinion that the city will go back to its normal condition of life by this time next week.
65
4 p.m. went to see Mr. 山縣五十雄 at his home. He said he found the officials in a very receptive mood. I gave him the three great causes for Korean dissatisfaction.
67
16th. Sunday. Beautiful.
68
Stayed at home. 邊壎 told me this morning that 蕫錫基 had confessed to the police that he had consulted with Rev. Billings, Noble and McCune in regard to the demonstrations for independence. Hard to believe all this!
69
Stores remain closed today. Nobody but Koreans are hurt by this strange attitude.
70
金貞植 dropped in to see me and said that there is a rumor that 宋秉畯 is going to start a movement demanding a sort of home rule "自治" for Korea.
71
A boy bitten by a snake was taken to the Ivy Hospital for treatment. Dr. Reid. instead of giving him relief at once, began to abuse him for not having come sooner.
73
17th. Monday. Bright―chilly.
74
Went to Y.M.C.A. at 10:30 a.m. At 11:30 went to Severance Hospital to have a tooth fixed. About 1 p.m. when I opened the door leading to the road I saw policemen stationed at every corner of the building and I with a few others were ordered to stay where we were. Had to wait over an hour during which the buildings were subject to a thorough search for something. I don't know what. Got back to Y. about 2:30 p.m.
75
Called on cousin 致旿. He told me that 艾宗錫 and his crowd are going to start a countermovement against the demonstrators and that the 大正親睦會 is to back it. Any movement that such rotten eggs like 艾 and his crowd might start would excite the anti-Japanese agitations all the more.
77
18th. Tuesday. Pale―chilly―windy.
79
Stayed at home. Margarette(明姬) has been very ill. 邊壎 who came to see me this afternoon volunteered the following information. 1. The Gov. Genl. Hasegawa has been relieved of his post. 2. 高羲俊 under the direction of 趙重應 is planning a Home Rule Association with 8 demands: (1) Freedom of press and speech. (2) Representation in the diet. (3) Equal treatment for Korean officers. (4) The establishment of a university in Korea. I don't remember the rest. The Japanese officials have been so trickish, that the Korean will hardly believe them even if these reforms were promised.
80
One girl patriot is reported to have said to her inquisitor: "If I had two husbands, one lawful and the other unlawful, which would you advise me to follow?" "The lawful one of course" answered the 檢事 "Well then," said the girl, "Korea is my lawful husband. Why do you persecute me for doing what you yourself admit to be right?"
82
19th. Wednesday. Bright and windy.
83
Y.M.C.A. as usual. Lunched with 村上信吉金麟 at Y.M.C.A. I entertained them.
84
All sorts of reports about the brutality of the police inquisitors toward the prisoners―especially the girls. While much I hear may be false, I know the sufferings must be indescribable. I can hardly get picture of their agonies from off my mind. I thank God at least none of these brave men and women is suffering from any false promise or advise from me.
85
My unpopularity―among the Koreans is at its hight. I am misunderstood, misreported and misinterpreted. Just one illustration. On the 17th I went to Severance for a dental operation. I was detained in the door hall for nearly two hours by the police. Mr. 大石 saw me and got the permission of the procurator to let me go without being subject to a search. This has given rise to the malicious rumor that I had gone to the Hospital that morning to act a spy for the police!!
87
20th. Thursday. Bright and windy.
88
At 10 a.m. went to Mr. Greggs to hear Mr. P. Super's lecture on the Importance of Naming secretaries. Among other things he said:―Formerly manufacturing corporations in America paid more attention to 1 plant, 2 process and 3 product. But of late they have discovered that all these are insufficient without well trained secretaries, all this can't accomplish much. The best students from the finest technical colleges in America found that they didn't know much when they went into a real shop. The trouble was in the College they had two years' science and two years' application. How it is done the other way: two years' application and two years' science. Formerly it was the shop in the school. Now it is the school in the shop.
90
21st. Friday. Pale―chilly.
91
10 a.m. went to Super's Conference. He is certainly a master of his trade. Some of his sayings' theory of education has evolved five methods. 1. The lecture method―the worst. 2. The demonstration method. 3. The disscussion method. 4. The laboratory method which has the defect of being unreal and motiveless. 5. The project method―the best―assign tasks―draw out that is in the student by giving him an interested partnership in the work. The purpose of Y. is to look after all of men not four folds only but five folds, viz.: Educational, Physical, Religious, Social, Economical.
92
Pastor Watase thinks the American missionaries have failed to teach Koreans the Christian doctrines contained in the sermon on the Mount―especially that of loving your enemy.
93
It is amusing to see how each man or each nation tries to bend the teachings of Christ to serve his particular service.
94
4 p.m. Super met the Korean directors at Greggs'.
97
Super's Conference from 10 a.m. He talked on ten processes of training. Among other things he said: You can not afford to have a cheap grade office secretary. He should not only have the sense to know what a rule is but the higher sense to know when to break a rule. Education should use the agricultural plan―of planting ideas and letting them grow and not the freight car plan―of dumping loads on the car―to fill up the smallest space with the greatest number of packages.
98
"Sukiyaki"會 at the Pagoda Restaurant. 渡瀨, 村上, 山縣悌三郞, ―小幡 of 朝鮮新聞―later 山縣五十雄, 關屋, 松本 the lawyers and 松本雅次郞, my first cousin 致旿, 金麟, 柳一宣 and myself. All agreed that Japan must change her policies toward the Koreans.
99
This morning I insised on hoisting the Japanese flag at the Y. Building―as to doing so would expose the institution to the official censure of taking side with the political agitators.
101
23rd. Sunday. Bright and warm.
102
Stayed at home in the morning. At 3 p.m. went to Super's Conference at Mr. Gregg's. Super thinks that Christianity in the Orient is too far occidentalized―in buildings and in forms of worship. He is certainly one of the most level headed men I have seen. I fell in love with him. Being alone with him in a car I pointed to him the closed stores on the street and said: "These have been closed for full two weeks. A great sacrifice on the part of the Koreans―a silent prayer to God―but useless, I am afaid". "No, not useless" said Super. "It is a most effective protest." 7:30 p.m. went to station to see him off. 申, Miss Marcela left for America.
104
24th. Monday. Rain―Gentle showers.
105
發信: 致旺 2nd Bill of Exch. sent Y.M.C.A. as usual. Reported that there was a series of agitations outside of the East Gate. Also in front of the electric car power house stones thrown at cars smashing the windows. Two police boxes demolished. The Independence Demonstrations assume a more threatening attitude. Shops and stores have been closed for 15 days! Mr. 丹羽 thinks the closing up stores annoys the authorities more than outward agitations.
106
Mr. Brockman tells me that last Saturday afternoon Judge Watanabe called a meeting of the representatives of all the missions in Seoul. Messrs. 關屋, 國分 were also present. The Japanese urged the foreigners to use their efforts to quiet down the Korean agitation. Foreigners declared they could take no side as they were forbidden to do so by their Consuls.
107
Wrote to 致旺 sending him the duplicate of the Bill of Exchange.
109
25th. Tuesday. Bright and very cool.
110
Y.M.C.A. as usual. Accepting the invitations of Dr. 芳賀, the Governor of the Government Hospital, went to 回春園 back of the Hospital. The park full of trees of venerable age contain a few Korean temples once belonging to the Royal Family. These are now used as store rooms or private wards. The doctor has an airy little Japanese house in a clearing among the trees. Rather a lonesome place. Dr. 芳賀 tells me that he met me in 1881 when he was a student in the Imperial Univ. Mr. 宮岡恒次郞 is our mutual friend. Messrs. 山縣五十雄, 渡瀨, 村上唯吉 were present beside myself. Dr. 芳賀 thinks the present agitation is a passing storm inaugurating a permanent calm. Pastor 渡瀨 believes the Japanese are a generous (寬大) people as witness the Japan regime in Korea. Dr. 芳賀 wished he could have at least two medical schools on a simpler scale. Mr. 山縣 suggested one of them should be for training female doctors. Dr. 芳賀 said that if some Korean should start one the Gov. General would be glad to help perfecting the plan. 回春女醫學校 I like to start a female medical school and Christen it.
112
26th. Wednesday. Chilly and pale.
113
Y.M.C.A. as usual. The independence demonstrations show no sign of subsiding. Stores closed tighter. Mr. 貝 our Social Sec. tells me membership don't come in. The Y. Budget for this year is all out of joint. Many of the estimated items of receipt are hopelessly gone―like membership dues, personal contribution by the members of the Board of Directors, and tuition fees. Yet the expenditure items remain solid. Mr. 李商在's conduct is very questionable in that he insists on not coming to the office yet he takes his salary all right!
114
The authorities have adopted the poor and heartless method of attacking the "Mansei" crowd with Japanese coolies armed with hooks, clubs and knives. Haven't they enough of police, gendarmes and soldiers? Why this dastardly method? Do they want the Korean coolies thus provoke violence in the agitators?
116
27th. Thursday. Gloomy and chilly. 34℉.
118
Stayed at home. Independence movements in Mongolia. Another in Cairo, a sort of political influenza. How England will deal with Egypt―or what attitude the Peace Conference will take toward the nationalistic agitation in the English dependency―will be most interesting to us Koreans. But as long as the Peace Conf. stands aloof from the Egyptian question―so long will they have nothing to do with the Korean problem.
119
About Manseis, till the Peace Conference declares you independent by the grace of President Wilson. This is the gist of what the demonstrators have been preaching to the simple-minded Koreans. Too funny this―if it were not so serious.
121
28th. Friday. Bright―chilly.
122
Y.M.C.A. as usual. Hear that Messrs. 金允植 and 李容植 have sent a letter to Genl. Hasegawa requesting that the Korean Independence be restored.
123
The frightful cruelties of the Japanese have turned the missionaries as completely against the Japanese policy as nothing else could have done. The stories of atrocities of the Japanese soldiers, gendarmes, police and of coolies―stabbing, shooting, kicking, clubing, slashing, hooking old and young men and women literally duplicate the ruthless conducts of the Germans in Belgium. Dr. Gale, who has been, regarded as pro-Japanese, seems disgusted with the revolting cruelties of the Japanese against the unarmed Koreans. The insulting tortures which heroic girls have suffered and are suffering at the hands of the inquisitors―as stated by some girls who have been released, upset the stomach of the strongest Japanese philo.
124
Dr. Ludlow has a slogan: We must be neutral in politics; but no neutrality for brutality.
126
29th. Saturday. Beautiful―chilly. 2℃.
127
Mailed a letter with a Bill of Exchange for500―to U.S. gold to 永善. Y.M.C.A. as usual.
128
1. Japan teaches that patriotism is the highest virtue of men yet she punishes patriotism as the greatest crime in a Korean.
129
2. "Self determination" of the races is one of 14 cardinal principles of the Paris Peace Conference, yet France stoutly objects to the self-determination of the Austrian Germans to unite with Germany.
130
3. Japan kicks with all her might against the racial discrimination of the Americans, yet she practices racial discrimination against the Koreans in everything. After all is said and done might is right.
132
30th. Sunday. Gloomy and chilly―between 2 and 4 p.m. Snow storms.
133
Stayed at home―金顯英 from 宋坡 tells me that the Japanese gendarme and the Korean 憲兵補助員監督 have been so sensible that they simply let Koreans shout "Man-sei" as much as they like without interfering with them. That attitude has cooled down the ardor of the shouters so that everything is quiet there.
134
Some years ago there was a game called mansei japki or "catching mansei". Whoever dreamed that the game was a prophecy that all the powers of the Government General would today be concentrated to catch those who shout mansei!
135
After dark it is exceedingly dangerous for any Korean to appear on the street. He is stabbed, or clubbed to death without any notice by police, gendarmes and coolies (Japanese) .
137
31st. Monday. Pale and chilly.
138
Went to Y. Bldg. about 10 a.m. Called on Mr. 山縣五十雄 at his office. He says he is getting discouraged at the useless agitations of the Korean people.
139
Just a full month has passed since the first demonstration took place in Seoul. No sign of the agitation subsiding. Whatever else these demonstrations may or may not mean, they certainly prove that the anti-Japanese sentiment is deep and wide, and that Japan has not only failed to win the good will of the Koreans, but also lost their confidence so that they dare not trust any promise she may make.
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