2
1st. Monday. Bright. Very cold.
3
Seoul home. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
4
From 10 to 11:15 a.m. paid usual card-leaving visits to Gov. General and others.
5
See if I can cover each page of this Diary by recording even what I may consider trivial.
6
Every time I visit Jin-ko-kai or the Japanese town in Seoul, and Ryong-san I can't help contrasting in my mind what they are today with what they were, say, 35 years ago. The Japanese are making good use of what we gave up to mass of wretched hovels in Jin-ko-kai and to weeds and graves in Ryong-san.
7
Mr. Yu Ok Kyum paid me a new year call in the evening.
9
2nd. Tuesday. Pale. Very cold.
10
Seoul home. Messrs. 兪億兼, 金俊玉, 李春昊, 金永羲 called late afternoon. The last named three young men are old Anglo-Korean School boys. By the way, that old Gin-seng shed school boys―many of them―have done well. Kim Joon Ok, the now principal of the Song Do Higher Common School has so far proved himself a wise and strong man for the job. He is winning the good will of the Song Do people, without at the same time, doing anything to offend the Japanese authorities.
12
3rd. Wednesday. Bright. Very cold.
13
Left Seoul with 璋, 琦, 寶 for Song Do 8:40 a.m. train. Arriving at Song Do home a little past 10:30, found all well, thank God. Glad to see our children enjoy the beautifully pure air and skating. I wish I could spend a month in these lovely surroundings with family.
14
Understand the Holiness Church(聖潔敎會) and the Seventh Day Church(安息敎會) have started work in Song Do. Some Methodist preachers denounce the Seventh Day people as heretics.
15
A "Holiness" preacher Rev. Yi Chang Sun has asked me to build him a church costing ￥7,500.00!
17
4th. Thursday. Bright―Wind―Very cold.
18
Seoul home. After breakfast enjoyed walking through and around our hills and dales in the lovely sun light. Having no navigable streams or convenient seaports within an easy reach, Song Do can never be a great city. But for a modest sized town its location is beautiful―more so than―that of Seoul. The Song Ak Mountain surrounding the north and west of the city has numerous valleys with rocks and running streams. The children seem enjoy the good air, beautiful hills immensely.
20
5th. Friday. Pale―Very cold.
21
Breakfast and lunch at Song Do home.
22
Left Song Do with the children for Seoul 1:44 p.m. Arrived home 3:50. All well.
23
Attended the new year banquet at the official residence of the Gov. General 6~8 p.m. Genl. Ukaki spoke very kindly of the Seoul Orphanage(京城保育園) which he visited last November. "A re hoto yaru niwa yohoto hono ottaro-ne!"(To do that much it must have cost you a great deal of efforts!) I had no idea that the stern warrior, occupied as he must be with great and tough problems, would have time to notice such little affairs as the Seoul Orphanage.
25
6th. Saturday. Pretty. Very cold.
27
Ten years ago―say about 1923―paid ￥13 for 戶別稅 or House-hold tax. Now I pay ￥2,074.80 or 159+times more than what I paid ten years ago. Yet owing to the fall in the price of rice my income has grown less now than in 1923 Laxation is the only kind of skyscraper in Korea.
29
7th. Sunday. Pale sun p.m. Very cold.
31
Jung Un Sup(丁殷燮) is a grandson of Mr. Jung Hak Kyo(丁學喬) , the most famous calligrapher during the Regency of Tai-Won-Koon. When I was about 13 or 14, I learned a few lessons in calligraphy(Chinese) from Mr. Jung who was already an old man. His great-grandson is studying pharmacy. I am glad I have been able to give him the money he needs to pay his tuition etc.
32
By the way, the gret Chinese characters 光化門, which adorn the gate of the Kyong Bok Palace(now occupied by the Government-General) were written by Mr. 丁學喬.
34
8th. Monday. Cloudy―Chilly.
35
Seoul home. The 19th Route Army(第十九路軍) of China was lauded sky-high by the Chinese and outside world for their gallant fight against the Japanese troops in Shanghai in the spring of 1932. According to the reports in papers that famous army has become in famous by siding with the Communists in the establishment of an indepependent state in the province of Fukin(福建) . The Chinese are the most unpatriotic people in the world; they, instead of presenting a united front to a common enemy, waste their time and property in cutting each other's throat among themselves, yet they hope America or the League of Nations may come and help them against Japan, the Chinese as a nation is doing exactly only on a large scale what the old Emperor of Korea did.
37
9th. Tuesday. Cloudy―Chilly.
38
Seoul home. Miss Brown, the Rural Secretary of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. came to see us with Miss Helen Kim 5 p.m. Miss Brown has stayed at Helen's home nearly a month, eating, and sleeping all Korean fashion. She surprized me by saying that 蔣介石(Genl. Chang) is a traitor; that it would be a blessing to China, if the new Fukin Government could last; that no place can come to China as long as the foreign settlements are used as refuges by political criminals.
40
10th. Wednesday. Lovely―Cold.
41
Seoul home. A thick snow at least 3 inches all over the city during the night. The biggest snow of this winter.
42
I have re-read the "Book of Medium"(中庸) , one of the Four Confucian Classics. It plainly teach that Heaven has created all things; that the principle of creation is love(仁) ; that the carnal mind is dangerous and spiritual mind is feeble(人心惟危, 道心惟微) ; that by eternal vigilance can a man preserve his spiritual mind from the encroachment of his carnal mind. So far all right. But the greatest mistake of Confucianism is that it looks to only one man(一人) to make the world good, namely the "King"! Why you may as well ask a pack of wolves to take care of your shee!
44
11th. Thursday. Bright―Bitter cold.
46
Kim Duk Hyon, a detective, tells me that a Russo-Japanese war will break out on later than coming February or March. He, being in constant contact with the Japanese police officials he may get some inside informations or rather intimations quicker than those of us who are out of touch with the powers-that-be. Kim advices me to get ready to go outside of the city as soon as the conflict begins. All that is simple enough to talk about; but to carry it into effect is quite another thing.
48
12th. Friday. Pale sun. Bitterly cold.
49
Seoul home. These women who spend 3/4 of their time in complaining of and whinning about imaginary or actual pains or aches somewhere in their carcasses, positivey refuse to believe that it is possible for their servants to get sick now and then. A little maid servant gets a cold or fever or stomach aches and takes to bed her mistresses storm her with cusses and scolding saying that she is lazy pretending to be sick in order to sleep!
50
Then how about "great and glorious nations" who eulogize and glorify their love of country as a cardinal virtue, yet who punish any individual or number of individuals among a subject race or nation, who may show signs of loving their lost country as unpardonable traitors. In face of all that it is a simple nonsence that the human nature is good.
52
13th. Saturday. Pale sun. Bitter cold.
53
Seoul home. Miss P.I.D.(朴仁德) has been living in her own house for nearly half a year. Still she doesn't see her too little daughters. Hyon Dong Wan said to me this morning: "When a woman is hard hearted enough not to show love and pity to her own children, it is a lie to say that she loves others." Hyon tells me disapprovingly that Miss P.I.D. comes to the Central Y. every day spending the whole a.m. in Cynn's room. Both of them are certainly strong characters defying the opinions of other people so.
55
14th. Sunday. Pale sun. a.m. Bitter cold.
56
Seoul home. With wife and children went to Han Kang to see our boys and girls 明姬, 寶姬, enjoy skating. The ice is firmer and in better condition this year than it was last year. By 12 m. it was reported that 24,000 persons had come out to Han Kang from the city by the tram-cars. Heat or cold everything works for the good of the Electric Company.
58
15th. Monday. Cloudy. Very cold.
59
Seoul home. It is confidently assented by the papers that the Executive Chief, 溥儀, is to be promoted to the rank of an Emperor and the Manchukuo by consequence to be transformed into an Empire. A Japanese tells me that on the least provokation the military leaders are ready to take Peking for the capital of the new Empire. Why not? The Mongols under Kublaikan took Peking and ruled China for a century. The Manchus took Peking and ruled China for nearly 3 centuries. All that Japan needs is strength enough to take and hold Peking. Nobody can say Japan has any less right than Mongols or Manchus to rule China.
61
16th. Tuesday. Bright―Cold―Milder.
62
Seoul home. Today's paper announces that the Executive Chief(執政溥儀) of Manchukuo is to ascend the Imperial throne on the 1st March. The March of events in Manchukuo looks strangely and suspiciously like the events that took place between 1894 and 1911. First of all the "map and dagger" argument so dear and convincing to Roosevelt in case of Korea held good for Japan in the case of Manchuria, too. Then the Independence of the newly created Manchu state under the protection of Japan. Now comes the Emperorization of Mr. Bu-i to make his authority supreme over the state. He will of course be clothed with absolute power to make treaties with foreign powers(Japan) . When favorable time comes he will in pompous language hand his Imperial rights over to the Japanese Emperor in accordance with the will of Heaven and wishes of the people, all for the happiness of the Manchu people and the peace of the Orient. What a joy Roosevelt must have in his hot grave when all that comes to pass!
64
17th. Wednesday. Bright―Milder.
65
Seoul home. This morning Messrs. 金性洙 and 宋鎭禹 called. Mr. Kim as the President of the Bosung College has the permit to raise ￥300,000.00 for his institution. To my great surprize he seemed to expect quite a big sum from me inspite of the fact that he knew I had pledged nearly 60 thousand yen to various schools.
67
18th. Thursday. Cloudy―Mild.
68
Seoul home. (Kim and Song continued) . He told me that Mr. 崔昌鶴, the mining "Narikin" from whom he(Kim) had expected nothing less than 30 to 70 thousand yen, said he would not head the list until I announced the sum I propose to give. Kim further said that Mr. 白象圭, the closest man in Seoul, had proposed to give ￥2,000.00 and that he(Paik) was asked to defer his announcement lest that might discourage other givers(by the smallness of the donation!) All this information was nothing but intimation that I must propose a big sum! I don't like this kind of solicitation from a man like Kim. He and his brother Kim Yun Soo, are regarded two of the richest men in Julla-do Province. He ought to know I have many causes―such as the Y.M. and Y.W. Church institutions of various kinds for which he hasn't to pay a cent. He subscribed only ￥100.00 toward the Ewha College endowment fund. Trouble is these people suppose that I am ten fold richer than I actually am. Hence my cousin Chi-So is infinitely wiser than I who camouflage his ever increasing wealth by sighs and groanings about his "mountainous debts".
70
19th. Friday. Snow a.m. Mild.
71
Seoul home. Dr. Ryang gave a tea reception at the Chosen Hotel in honor of Bishop Welch and wife. More than 200 guests I guess. Ryang made a very clever and sensible welcome speech. But I fear he is exposing himself to malign criticism for such expenditure.
73
20th. Saturday. Bright. Very cold.
74
Seoul home. A little drama of doubtful taste for the parties concerned is being enacted in the Central Y. between Wilbur and Cynn. A few days ago a cable came to Barnhart to return at once. Bunce of Ham-hung also is recalled. Now Wilbur has been trying to keep B. here. Out of a generous heart he offered to give for B's support1,500.00 from his own salary. W. has been hinting and covertly suggesting that Cynn should give up his salary from an American source for the support of B. and that C. should get his support from his Korean friends. Hyon tells me that B. even said that C., being a Korean, should live on what Koreans give, getting the American secretaries be supported by the money coming from America. Cynn a passing master in the art of making others pull out burning chestnuts for him managed to squeeze ￥1,000.00 from the Central Y. budget. Hyon importuned me to give ￥1,000.00 on the condition that he wouldn't ask for any subscription from me for the Y. this year. C. offered to give this ￥2,000.00 toward making a sum of ￥5,000.00 which, B. says, would enable him to live in Seoul for another year. But Hyon tells me that Wilbur had at last plainly and definitely asked Cynn to transfer his American salary to B. and that C. said definitely that he wouldn't and couldn't.
75
The Tenth Annual Skating Contest of the Middle School boys took place on Han Kang Ring.
77
21st. Sunday. Bright. Cold.
79
The Tenth Annual Skating Contest on the Han Kang Ring was a success today. Four girls participated. Miss 金永善 from 江界□□.
81
22nd. Monday. Bright. Bitter cold.
83
A young man, 朴龍雲, graduated from the Song Do Higher Common School in 1926. He inherited a gold mining concession from his father. He lately sold the concession to the Mitsui Co. for ￥1,300,000.00. Kim Joon Ok, the principal of the S.H.C.S. wishes to get a substantial contribution from Pak toward the Endowment Fund of the school.
84
Pak asked Mr. Yi Man Kyu and me to a lunch at the Chosen Hotel yesterday noon. Kim Joon Ok invited Pak, Yi Man Kyu, Yi Choon Ho and me to a supper at the Chosen Hotel at 6 p.m. I cautioned Kim to accept whatever seem Pak might contribute with thanks, thus retaining his good will.
85
An "extra" announces that Gen. Araki, the vertual Dictator of Japan has sent in his resignation. I wonder what will happen now.
87
23rd. Tuesday. Bright. Bitterly cold.
88
Seoul home. The Central Council's Finance Committee Meeting at C.L.S. from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
89
Hyon tells me that Cynn has proposed to Barnhart a plan something like this: If the Central Y. Board of Managers vote to squeeze ￥1,000.00 out of the lean budget of the Central Y., Cynn will add that and my contribution to his salary(￥4,000.00) making a total of ￥6,000.00. Then he will divide that sum with B. Now why this circuitous "deep" way instead of giving ￥1,000.00 straight. Cynn resorts to this addition and division scheme just to get the credit of having given half of his salary to B.? Cynn, like cousin No.2, are peculiar and "deep"!
91
24th. Wednesday. Bright―Bitterly cold.
93
Hyon tells me that Cynn transferred his(H's) name to the salary list of the Industrial Dept. A queer way of treating the Vice-Genl. Secretary of the Central Y. The summary and unsportsman-like way in which Cynn moved Hyon's office furniture to a corner of the Y. school office during H's absence. The removal of the little tablet bearing the words "The Vice-Genl. Secreary(副總務) altogether without any word to Hyon and the transfer of H's salary to the Industrial Dept.-all indicate that Cynn is going to do away with the office of Vice-Genl. Secretary, thus making himself not only in name but in fact the sole Genl. Secretary of the Central Y. His next move, H. says, will be putting his(C's) salary in the Central Y. budget in case the N.Y. Committee withdraws their subsidy. Now why can't Cynn do all that in open, frank way? Nobody would blame him. But I don't like his subterranian way of treating Hyon who has been so faithful in the discharge of his duties. Hyon's is the glad face that meets you in the Central Y.
95
25th. Thursday. Bright. Bitterly cold.
96
Seoul home. The rule of 3 cold and 4 mild(三寒四溫) seems to have been suspended this winter.
97
From 9:30 a.m. attended the Central Council Meeting at the C.L.S. Also at the Ewha Parlor from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
99
26th. Friday. Bright. Bitterly cold.
101
9:30 a.m. went to the C.L.S. to preside over the meeting of the Finance Committee of the Genl. Board(總理院財務局) .
102
Hyon tells me that several of the young men on the Central Y. staff spend mornings in the billiard room of the Lily Gardens and that Cynn without consulting anybody in the office had placed Mrs. Kim(Kui Yun) on the salary list of the Central Y. and given her a room to help Pak In Duk in her rural visitations. Thus Hong Pyong Sun who is nominally the Rural Secretary of the Central Y. has really nothing to do. P.I.D. comes to Y. every morning spend hours in Cynn's office. Nobody knows for what, H. says.
104
27th. Saturday. Bright. Cold. Milder p.m.
105
Seoul home. From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the Annual Meeting of the Genl. Board of Korean Meth. Church held at the C.L.S. Board room.
106
Bishop Welch gave a talk about what the next Genl. Conference of the Korean Meth. Church might do. His words are always full of sense and wisdom. He advised that we must remember in re-organizing and readjusting the Korean Church, the essential importance of unity in action and simplicity in mechanism.
107
From 7 to 10 in the night wife and I with some of our little ones went to the Central Y. to see our 恩姬 playing in an inter-class basket ball contest. 恩姬's side(the Blues) won the game making wife happy.
109
28th. Sunday. Bright.
110
Seoul home. At her request, called on Miss Alice Appenzeller in the East Gate Hospital where she had been staying for a week for some kind of ailment.
111
Well she stated a problem and asked me to solve it for her; viz: Miss Helen Kim had without consulting Miss A. engaged Kim Yung Hui(金永羲) ostensibly for the Friendly Association(後援) but really the Deanship of the Ewha College. From various sources Miss A. has gathered information that Kim is not the right man for the important job. Now if she rejects him she will have an open collision with Helen. If she makes him the Dean(敎務主任) he may get the College into trouble by his inexperience. What is the way out? She further asked me what I thought of Choi Sung Man for the place. I told her Choi is a far more preferable person to Kim, as Choi is older not only in years but also in experience. Besides Choi knows the Japanese language, and the Japanese pychology better than Kim―a fact that will make Choi a persona grata to the Japanese officials in the Government General.
113
29th. Monday. Beautiful.
114
Seoul home. Found a layer of snow on the ground. From 3 to 5 p.m. a Committee of Seven with Dr. R. and Bish. W. as ex-official members met at the Gray House to reconsider the recommendations of Revaluation Committee which strongly favor uniting the East Gate Woman's Hospital with Severance. Koreans favor continuing the E.G. Hospital.
116
30th. Tuesday. Bright―Cold.
117
Seoul home. The other day Miss Appenzeller, inspite of her strong efforts to restrain her feelings, couldn't disguise the fact that the breach between her and Helen Kim is real and serious. Piecing together her remarks; "I gave her perhaps too much power. She is planning to leave the College as soon as she is assured of a living from the Y.W. people in America. Her leaving will be detrimental to the interests of the College as she is almost idolized by many prominent people in our Church. The sunrises and sets on her in their estimation. If my resignation will help the situation I am willing to do so". I wish Helen Kim were a little less ambitious for her own advancement. Some years ago Cynn schemed to make Helen the Principal of the College. But now Miss A. putting her hands back to back illustrated the relation between Helen and Cynn. I like both Miss Appenzeller and Helen Kim. It is very embarrassing to stand between two friends who happen to be in opposite camps. I advised Miss A. not to decide on the 敎務主任 question until Helen K's attitude is definitely settled―either to leave the College or to stay.
119
31st. Wednesday. Pale sun. Cold.
120
Seoul home. The Bd. of Managers(理事會) of the Ewha College met at 3 p.m. in the Ewha Parlor. The budget passed. The faculty members all as before. No mention of making anybody a 敎務主任.
121
The Methodist of the City gave a Korean supper to Bishop and Mrs. Welch. Had a pleasant evening.
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