2
1st. Tuesday. Beautiful-Chilly.
3
Snow last night―quite a little snow on tiles and on trees. Stayed at home. Police forced the storekeepers to open their shops. The main thoroughfares heavy guarded and patrolled by soldiers with fixed bayonnets.
4
4 p.m. Mr. Yamagata and his brother brought two English ladies Mrs. Scott and Miss Keath to see mother.
5
The Osaka Mainich reports that the Japanese delegates in Paris have failed to include the principle of racial equality in the League of Nations Covenant. The whole trouble with the Peace Conference seems to be the conflict between the too high ideals of President Wilson and the nationalistic and racial interests of the individual countries.
7
2nd. Wednesday. Bright―chilly. From 永善
8
A little shower last night. Y.M.C.A. as usual.
9
About 11 a.m. Mr. 梁柱三 dropped in to see me. Was glad to see him. He is of the same opinion as I have in regard to the Independence Demonstrations. Learned from Mr. 梁 that 玉觀彬, 林美正 are both out of the agitation.
10
According to Mr. Ryang, Mr. Cynn had to go to Pyong Yang three weeks before the outbreak of the demonstrations in order to escape from those who urged Cynn to go to Paris to make known to the world the grievances of Korea. That is most likely.
12
3rd. Thursday. Bright―warm. A little rain in the night.
13
Stayed at home. Stores, while some are open by sheer compulsion, persist in being closed. By appontment, went to see Mr. Sekiya at his home about 4 p.m. He admitted the Japanese rulers, with the best intentions, made mistakes in not considering sufficiently the prejudices and susceptibilities of the Korean people. I suggested that the demonstrators be let alone as long as they commit no acts of violence. Mr. Sekiya hinted that I might issue some written statements advising students to return to their respective studies. I told him that any such advice from me would not only be received or rather rejected with suspicion but would surely inflame rather than cool the passions of the excited crowd. By the way 李完用 published today a warning to the peoples. Such an act from 李完用 will do more harm than good.
15
4th. Friday. Pale in the morning. Bright p.m.
16
Stayed at home. 邊壎 informed me this morning that Mr. 李商在, 金弼秀, 吳基善, and 李―were arrested early today. Mr. Yi Sang Chai has been ill. His confinement in a cold room will go hard with him.
17
Many a self-respecting man must feel compelled to join the agitation by the sheer pressure of the public opinion. Public opinion right or wrong is mightier than law or religion, sense or sword in molding the lives of men and women. What is it that keeps the feet of the Chinese woman bound? Public opinion. What is it that makes wicked men live decent lives? Public opinion.
19
5th. Saturday. Pretty.
20
Y.M.C.A. as usual. Mr. Sajima 佐島 of the Osaka and National Y.M.C.A. came to the Buildg. this morning.
21
He is the Genl. Secretary of Japan. He is returning from a trip to Siberia. He came again about four 3 p.m. and had a long chat with me seeking my frank view of the situation in Korea. I gave him what I regard to be the great causes of dissatisfaction on the part of the Koreans.
22
Learned that Pastor 金弼秀 is laid up in Severance Hospital with fever. Glad to hear that hospital is comparatively a more comfortable place than the prison.
23
The story about 李一 also untrue.
26
Stayed at home. Felt chilly and tired.
27
What will be Japan's best policy to retain the markets she has captured during the war to turn out goods really and surely as good as those manufactured in Europe or America?
28
The Japanese complain that the Koreans are too pro-American. The best way to cure that evil, if evil it be, would be the removal of all real causes of anti-Japanese feeling on the part of the Korean.
29
To win or lose the affection of 15 million Koreans may be a small matter to Japan. But how about the 400 million Chinese to whom a discontented and miserable Korea would be an everlasting warning finger.
31
7th. Monday. Rained most of the day.
32
來信: Cancel of Receipt for Dr. C.C. Fisher.
33
9 a.m. took 恩姬 and 善姬 to the kindergarten. Was charmed to see how beautifully 恩姬 behaved herself in her new environment. What a pity none of the missions in Seoul has a well equipped and well conducted kindergarten! There is something radically wrong in the method of conducting business among the missions when so much money is spent with so little improvement in educational matters. The greatest fault of a missionary is that he will not, simply will not, consult with Koreans in regard to the best plans and methods of education. If a missionary is so autocratic, what right have we to expect the Japanese to be democratic!
34
崔庠鍊 actually told me that a month before the 21st of Feb. of this year a man prophesied the death of the Ex-Emperor and the disturbance that an obscure member of the Yi Dynasty is going to inaugurate a glorious reign under the protection of Japan according to the prophecy, 野杏接李堯舜之治四十年!
36
8th. Tuesday. Pale morning―Beautiful p.m.
37
Went to the kindergarten with baby Grace and 善姬. Wife also went with us. Stayed there until 11. On our way home wife and I went to 文姬's school. I was disgusted with the icy manner of the Japanese teachers. In front of the school I met Mr. 玉觀彬. He said he had come to Seoul with Mr. 富田儀作 to see Mr. 山縣五十雄. Ok looks fatter than he used to be. Was glad to see him.
38
About 3 p.m. with Grace, Mary (文姬) and 善姬 went to Mr. 山縣's to see Mrs. Scott and Miss Keith. We got there just as these two ladies were going out. They are so pleasant. Miss K. is pretty and exceedingly winsome. There is something feminine yet in a British or European woman. The excessive manishness of an American lady is not an unmixed blessing. Suggested to Mr. 山縣 that any good that the authorities might expect to gain by punishing an old man like 李商在 wouldn't compensate for the harm which such a measure would do. 山縣 promised to do his best to get him released.
40
9th.Wednesday. Bright and cool.
41
Y.M.C.A. as usual. One of the favorite argument which the Japanese use against Korean aspiration after independence―and one which cut the sensitiveness of the Korean to the quick ―is that Korea has never been independent. After the heroic Kokuryo dynasty fell, the Peninsula has for nearly 12 centuries a nominal dependency of China. But within the boundaries of Korea, the Kings were as independent as the Emperors of Japan or of China. Even granting for the sake of argument that Korea has never been independent, does it necessarily argue that she can never be? The Jews for the last 26 centuries have had no independent national existence. Is it therefore unlikely that the Jews will never be an independent nation? China had been a monarchy for 40 long centuries. Therefore she can never be a republic!
42
The Japanese has had keda for the last 20 centuries. Therefore the Japanese can never wear shoes!
44
10th.Thursday. Bright and cool.
45
Stayed at home, It is reported that a representative of the Ass. Press paid a call on Mr. 金允植, under the strict chapronage of two English speaking Japanese. Dr. Gale accompanied him. 柳一宣 was with them, I suppose, to check what Dr. Gale might say. The Press representative asked Mr. 金: Did you believe that the Korean independence could be obtained? After a little pause the old gentleman said: "Independence is what the Korean people want. Whether it can be obtained or not, I don't know." Upon which the Japanese suggested to the Press Rep. that, Mr. 金's answers in Korean might express a doubt, he, the Representative should ask a few more questions to make sure what Mr. 金 means. The Representative simply wouldn't do it. Certainly Mr. 金's answer was dignified and wise―if all this be true.
47
11th. Friday. Beautiful.
48
Stayed at home. Y.M.C.A. from 10 to 12 p.m.
49
The independence agitations have degenerated to meaningless popular uprisings in the country. The ignorant people who have no more idea of what independence is than of democracy, are persuaded or threatened by the agitators to join a demonstration. Their anti-Japanese passion is aroused. A police man or a gendarme foolishly knows or shoots a man down. That is a signal for riot. A squad of soldiers go to the village. They burn the houses and shoot down the inhabitants. This sort of tragedy is matched only by the folly of the agitators who expose the innocent and ignorant villagers to death and destruction.
50
By engagement I called on Mr. 松井. He is one of the most sensible and sympathetic officials in Seoul. He suggested a Korean church be organized independent of missionaries. I told him any attempt as such a step would drive the Koreans closer to the missionary than they were let alone to choose their own religion.
52
12th. Saturday. Beautiful.
53
Went to Y.M.C.A.―after lunch. "The hills are being reforested. Fine roads are being built. Schools and hospitals! See what benefactors we are to the Korean!" This is what the Japanese rulers say to every tourist. For whose benefit are these material improvements introduced primarily? That the Korean is incidentally benefited thereby, no one can deny. Unfortunately the Japanese have so managed things in Korea as to have created the impression-nay rather the firm belief that it is the intention and policy of Japan to drive the Koreans gradually out of Korea to make room for the Japanese settlers. As long as the Korean believes in this, you can't expect him to be grateful for any material benefit. For what conceivable reason can a Korean have to thank for the fine roads and wooded hills, if he is to seek a new home in the plains of Manchuria or in the jungles of Siberia? One may need love in the rod in the hands of a wise father but the kiss of a Juda―who will thank for it? Let Japan change her policy so as to win the confidence of the Korean first.
55
13th.Sunday. Beautiful.
56
Stayed at home the whole a.m. 邊壎 showed me a printed copy of what is purported to be Rhee Sung Man's letter to his supporters in Hawaii. The gist of it is: 1. He was given cordial receptions by the Koreans in California. 2. 安昌鎬 complained to him that compared to the sum of10,000 contributed by the Koreans in America, the paltry collection of1000 of the Hawaiian Koreans is too much out of proportion, and that he, 安 would go to Hawaii to raise more money. 3. While the Koreans in California favored sending a 鄭 to the Paris Conference, those in the East objected to him. 4. Arriving at New York Mr. Rhee couldn't get passport, the American officials being unwilling to offend the Japanese by issuing passports to Koreans going to Paris. 5. Mr. 徐載弼 declared it would be useless to go to Paris to present the Korean case. 6. 徐載弼 offered to raise 500,000 to start a magazine to advertize Korea. The latter seems to be genuine.
57
With 致昌 went to 彰門外亭子 for a walk. Returned home 7 p.m. Very tired.
59
14th. Monday. Cloudy-showers.
60
發信: Dr. Hall. Rev. Y Poe.
61
Stayed at home. 金貞植 came to see me. He thinks Mr. 渡瀨 is mistaken when he says that there are 20,000 belivevers in the 組合 or Congregational Church in Korea.
62
Certainly the world is not what it should be when patriotism―the love of one's own native land―is exalted as a noble virtue in one people while it is punished in another as a geat crime; when the white races go and make themselves at home in other people's lands and then turn round and say to the non-white races "Keep off our premises"; when many millions are starving while a few indulge in feasts costing ￥500 per person.
64
15th. Tuesday. Lovely morning.
65
Went to Y.M.C.A. in the afternoon for a bath.
66
A Japanese writer of note, 三宅雪嶺, said in an article published in a Tokyo magazine: "What is wrong about Japanese diplomacy is that whereas it is scrupulous in dealing with the West it is high-handed and unscrupulous when it has to deal with the Asiatic countries." Yes, that's true. In dealing with the strong nations, Japan shows herself; but in dealing with weaker peoples, she is seen. What a glorious nation Japan would have been, had she been more broad-minded and less Germanized!
68
16th.Wednesday. Lovely.
69
About 12 p.m. went to Chosen Hotel with Mr. 村上唯吉 to see Mr. 石塚, the Director of the Oriental Devel. Co. When I first saw him in 1895, he was one of the handsomest Japanese youths I had ever met. Though he is much aged, he is still a handsome man. He was a great friend of Mr. 兪吉濬 and I understand that he has been very good to Mr. 兪's sons. Mr. 石塚 said that he tried to have an interview with Mr. 金允植 but that the procurator would not allow him to have any reference to the political situation in Korea. Mr. 石塚 seemed to appreciate my frank statement of some of the causes of the Korean dissatisfaction.
70
Called on Genl. 宇都宮, the Commander of the Army of Korea. Found him a genial old man. He remembered to have met me in 1881 in Tokyo when he was a student in the Military Academy.
71
In ten short years the Japanese have turned 龍山, a howling wilderness of unsightly graves into one of the finest town sites in Korea. The official residence of the commander is a superb building. Costs ￥4000 a year to keep and repair!
73
17th. Thursday. Beautiful.
74
Went to Y. for bath in the afternoon.
75
6:30 p.m. with cousin 致昭 went to Chosen Hotel as guests to a dinner party given by Mr. 石塚, the President of the Oriental Development Co. A large number of Korean and Japanese business men present.
76
By the way, it was a brilliant moon―lit night in October 1895. Mr. 石塚 invited Mr. 兪吉濬 and me to a supper at his room in one of the public buildings in front of the 景福 Palace. Mr. 石塚 was to leave Seoul soon for Tokyo while Mr. 兪 was to start the next morning for 義州, ―so they told me any way. About 10 Mr. 兪 and I left Mr. 石塚 and rode on horseback and came together as far as the corner where 典洞 and 安洞 meet. There I bade Mr. 兪 good-bye. Mr. 兪 promising that he would let me have his saddle during his absence. A few hours later the Japanese skoshis went into the Palace and murdered the Queen. Of course Mr. 兪 was one of leaders of the plot but he and Mr. 石塚 invited me to supper, I suppose, to keep me from discovering the plot. All belongs to ancient history, now!
78
18th. Friday. Beautiful.
79
11 a.m. went to 龍山 to see Genl. 宇都宮 at his official residence. Was invited to take lunch with him. He compared Korea to a woman married to a man somewhat against her will. The bridegroom proving himself a little inconsiderate and harsh, the wife desires separation. Now the question is can she live alone? Neither Mr. China nor Mr. Russia will make an acceptable husband. There is Uncle Sam―rich and handsome. But will he marry her as a full legitimate wife? In all probability he will treat her as a concubine. Then, after all, isn't it best for her to be reconciled to her present husband while he, on his part, mend his ways toward her?
80
I told him that besides being given an organ to the Korean to make his wants and grievances known he should be allowed greater freedom to go abroad for education. A thorough knowledge of the world problems is less dangerous than a partial understanding.
81
Returned home about 2 p.m. Board of D. at 4.
82
About 5:30 Mr. Brockman and I stood at the window in my room shocked to see 李商在 led away to prison with tied hands.
84
19th. Saturday. Beautiful―very cool in the evening.
85
Stayed at home. 邊壎 came about 2 and talked until 6 this afternoon. Mr. 金貞植 who came an hour later than 邊 kept up the chats about his(金's) experience in Tokyo as the secretary of the Korean Y.M.C.A.邊's narration of the 維新會 affair which 金麟 got up to oust Gillet from the Central Y.M.C.A. with the avowed purpose of turning the institution over to the Japanese, was rather interesting.
86
邊 informed me that about 80 more persons are to be arrested in Seoul in a few days. Wish to goodness the Japanese would stop this arresting business. This kind of terrorism will only keep burning the fire of hatred in the breast of every Korean.
87
邊 told me also that a number of men have been sent to Shanghai to get Pastor 玄楯.
89
20th. Sunday. Beautiful.
90
Stayed at home. I believe that the students and most of the Christian pastors who have participated in the independence movement are honest though misguided. All honors to the heroic courage and pure patriotism of such men as 吉善宙, 李承薰 and of the sweet and brave girls. But I believe that the Chundokyo leaders 孫, 吳, etc. have joined the agitation, (1) to cover up and excuse their exceeding meanness of having cheated millions of Yen out of their poor ignorant followers; and (2) to make themselves names so that they can squeeze more money from their people when they get out of the prison―covered with glory and fame. That hundreds of thousands of men and women should allow themselves fooled, and fooled for years by such swindlers like 孫秉熙 etc. is a proof that the Korean race hasn't reached that stage of intelligence yet to enjoy an independent national existence.
92
21st. Monday. Rain―cool.
93
Stayed at home. Enjoyed reading Mr. 內村's diary. To have lived a consistent Christian for forty years turning neither to the right nor to the left from the narrow way, in the midst of such changes as have taken place in Japan is an enviable record. His faith has fought its way through all the storms and battles of theological and philosophical conflictions―purified, strengthened and victorious. Mr. 內村 is an short anchor to the Church of Christ in Japan.
94
By the way, is there a simple Korean Christian of note who has not fooled with politics? No Korean seems to have grasped the profound truth in the word of our Lord: "My Kingdom is not of this world"!
96
22nd. Tuesday. Beautiful.
98
Stayed at home. Went to Y. for a bath in the afternoon.
99
The Independent agitators think we must agitate because God helps those who help themselves. But God Himself can't help those who go about in a wrong way to help themselves. You plant your seeds in snow in the depth of winter and ask God to make them grow. Or you put your little finger into fire and expect God to keep it from being burnt. You yell "manseis" and expect the President of the United States of America to guarantee your independence or to go to a bloody war to make Japan disgorge Korea.
101
23rd. Wednesday. Beautiful.
103
Stayed at home. Kim Joon Hyen (金俊鉉) of 南陽 came to see me this morning. He said that the 陰德面 of which he has been the 面長 for the last four years, is the only 面 where no agitation took place and where not a person has been hurt. This was due to his prompt and wise precautions as soon as the demonstrations broke out. In a village in 鄕南面 the Japanese soldiers had all the Christians in the village, 35 in all, to assemble in the church. Then they, the Japanese locked the doors and set fire to the building. They shot down every one who tried to jump out of the windows. In 松山面 seven villages of over two hundred houses were burnt by the Japanese to avenge the death of a chief of police―who had started trouble by shooting at a fellow for yelling mansei. The Japanese wonder that the Koreans are not grateful to them.
105
24th. Thursday. Pretty―cool. 42°F.
106
發信: 委任狀 to 吳世昌 in 瑞與.
107
In 1893, I heard a Japanese Buddhist lecturer tell a big American audience that women are honored in Japan even more than they are in America. Baron Yoto who is now in America is reported to have said a banquet that Japan is doing in Korea and Formosa exactly what America is doing in Philipine Islands. Genl. Akashi some years ago wrote a long letter to a professor in the Imperial University of Tokyo denying categorically that he ever resorted to torture in examining the Korean political offenders. Even men of learning and standing write and speak without blushing that the Emperor of Korea, out of his free will, asked the Japanese Emperor to take over the government of Korea for the good of the Peninsula and the peace of the East. A Japanese journalist said―I hope in haste―that an average Korean is a notorious liar. How easy it is to behold the mote that is in our brother's eye!
108
Cynn Hung Woo left for America the other day I am told. Some say he is one in the pay of the Japanese while others affirm that he is to work for the Korean movement.
110
25th. Friday. Pretty-cool.
111
來信: 致旺's letter. Mar. 15th.
112
11 a.m. Mr. 村上唯吉 asked me to visit Mr. 小幡, the Sub-Editor of the 朝鮮新聞 at his home. The little house is tastfully perched on a spur of the Namsan facing the whole town of Seoul. In this pretty villa the Editor has a very fair woman for wife. A Japanese meal was served. Both 村上 and 小幡 think that the Government General is too hard headed to admit its mistakes; that the Tokyo authorities are not fully informed of the real situation in Korea; that Mr. 石塚 was rather unwise to have too freely criticized the policy of the Government General―unwise and indelicate in that he was one time a member of that Government. 村上 expected to visit Tokyo. He also told me that Rev. 渡瀨 and his people have decided to inaugurate a systematic and open campaign against the mistaken attitude of the missionaries and the Korean church.
114
26th. Saturday. Beautiful.
115
Mr. 村上唯吉 invited me to a "sukiyaki" lunch at the Pagoda Restaurant. 山縣五十雄, 松本稚太郞, 渡瀨牧師 present. They freely criticized the obstinate militarism of the Government General.
116
Pastor 渡瀨 showed us a copy of the list of names constituting a Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea! Dr. Rhee Sung Man, President. This Government issued order telling the Korean people not to pay taxes to the Japanese nor to go to the Japanese courts for settlement of disputes. Is it possible that man like Paster 玄楯 should join such dreamers as those who have framed the Provisional Government? He could and would have served the Koreans infinitely better as an evangelist than as a political agitator. Left Seoul by 4 p.m. train for Song Do. Arrived 8:30. It was 9 when I reached my Song Do home. All Well, thank God.
118
27th. Sunday. Beautiful―Song Do Home.
119
Thank in the beauties of nature. Worshipped at the Northward Church.
120
Stayed at home―邊壎 joined me from Seoul.
121
Late in the afternoon, called on Mr. 森協, the Chief of Police. He regretted that the gendarmes are terrorizing the poor ignorant farmers in the conntry by arresting and beating everybody under the pretexts of searching offenders. He further informed me that he had not permitted the local Japanese paper to say anything against the missionaries.
122
The Rail Road Park is at its best with its sakura in full bloom. This Park was only seven or eight years ago nothing but a howling wilderness treeless and ugly. The Japanese have turned it into a very attractive garden. Ask the spirit of the hill―if there is a spirit of hills whose regime he prefers, the Japanese or the Korean!
124
28th. Monday. Beautiful. Song Do home.
125
Pastor Ryang called on me in the morning. Took lunch at his home. 邊壎 also invited.
126
This story direct from Pastor 渡瀨 himself: He applied to the 道壓 for a permission to contribute 200 bags of millet to the Suwon sufferers. The application rejected on the ground that if the 組合敎 Church were given this permission, the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches would apply for it.
127
After a considerable haggling, Mr. 渡瀨 succeeded in getting the permission to distribute the millet to the members of his church alone, among the sufferers all this because the authorities want to keep the frightful conduct of the Japanese soldiers and gendarmes in Suwon a secret.
129
29th. Tuesday. Cloudy.
130
Enjoyed the morning hours among the trees and flowers. Left Song Do for Seoul by the 2 p.m. train. Arriving at Seoul 5:30 p.m. went straight to Y.M.C.A. for a refreshing bath.
131
Environment or situation makes no difference! Let us see. Here are two grains of pine seeds of identical quality. One is planted in a good soil while the other is lodged in a crack of rock. In a few years the former becomes a beautiful tree revelling in the luxuries of sunshine and air while the other grows into a sickly, tiny plant struggling for a bare existence remaining so year after year. I have both specimens in my garden. Therefore call not a race inferior―for had it been placed in a favorable situation it might have done as well as the superior nations.
133
30th. Wednesday. Beautiful.
134
9 a.m. went to Mr. Gregg's home to meet Mr. Gleason just from Siberia. Referring to the sufferings of the Russians―their cruelties one against another―Mr. G. said that he believed, after all that in the economy of God, no sacrifice or suffering is lost. Russia is in travail to give birth to a great world-ideal. Any hasty allied interferance may shorten the pain but stop the birth.
135
An Osaka paper reports that all the Korean agitators in Shanghai have lately been arrested. It is feared that 玄楯 and Pastor Son Jung Do are among the numbers. If so the authorities will be severer with them than with others, because of their position as leaders.
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