2
1st. Sunday. Beautiful. Icy cold.
4
Mr. Kim Sang Kyo(金相敎) called early this morning with one of his grandsons(載鴻) . The boy, a graduate from the primary school of Chul Won(鐵原) successfully passed the entrance examination of the Second Higher Common School. He must have 70 yen right away to pay the entrance expenses. Now Kim is the son of my old teacher. In the course of last ten years I have helped Kim Sang Kyo time and again. I helped his elder son twice. Here is his grandson to be helped. I am, however, glad that I have been able to help three generations of the descendants of my old teacher.
5
2 p.m. visited the Chang Kyong Won with wife and children.
7
2nd. Monday. Beautiful. Icy.
9
Brother 致旺 returned home on a flying visit this morning. 5:30 p.m. with wife, 文姬, Miss Kim Melissa and 光鉉 went to the Wha-Shin Department Store Restaurant to see Jung Bong Sup(鄭鳳燮) a young man who has been recommended to us as a possible candidate for a son-in-law. He is a graduate of the Gov. Med. School and is now an intern in the Government Hospital. We liked his exterior appearance. He is very highly spoken of by his former teacher, Mr. 朴永彬.
11
3rd. Tuesday. Pale sun. Rather cold.
13
Cousin Chi-So tells me that when Viscount Saito was the Governor General, he(cousin) was asked first through the Director of Interior Bureau, and lastly of the Governor General himself to head a certain land development movement in Manchuria. Cousin was to have all the financial and political backing he needed for the work. Cousin had the sense enough to decline positively the tempting offer. He agrees with me that I ought not to accept the position offered in the Central Council.
16
Seoul home. 1 p.m. went to the First H.C. School with 琦善 for the entrance ceremony. The Principal, Mr. Wada gave a long talk to the new boys, 201, and then to the parents.
17
6 p.m. went to the Bright Moon Restaurant to entertain to a Korean supper Mr. Matoba(的場) who had been the head teacher in the Normal Primary School for girls(師範附屬女子普通學校) , and who has been lately promoted to the principalship of the Shin Chun(信川) Primary School. He is a very nice man. Sorry to see him leave the school where our 文姬, 恩姬 and 明姬 graduated and where our 寶姬 and 瑛姬 are now studying.
19
5th. Thursday. Pretty. Pleasant.
21
Still cold enough mornings and evenings to make a little fire feel good.
22
Went to station 8:40 a.m. to see Mr. Matobata(的場) leave for his new appointment.
23
9:30 a.m., wife and I took our 珽善 to the Kun Wha Kindergarten. Two months more he will be a school age. He is one of the brightest boys we have had. But he has been so petted by his fond mother that he wouldn't participate in the plays and exercises of the other children. He wouldn't let go his mamie's apron string. The fault is the mother's.
25
6th. Friday. Pretty. Mild.
26
Seoul home. Our 珽善 did better in the kindergarten this morning. First the English text books used in the Higher Common School are too hard for the boys. They are not taught spelling at all. Mr. Koo Ja Ok tells me that his girl who has been taught English in the Pai Wha School for the last three years, doesn't know even the a,b,c,d. These teachers pride themselves for teaching English into new method.
27
Went to the station 9:40 p.m. to see Mr. E-bi(蝦) the teacher who had charge of 琦善's class leave for 釜山 where he has been transfered as a teacher. He is one of the coldest Japanese I have seen.
29
7th. Saturday. Pretty p.m. Mild.
30
Seoul home. The spring has come with its winds, dust and warmth. Showers and flowers will follow.
31
Hyon tells me that Choi Sung Man is becoming a centre around whom a clique is formed by men like Yi Hyuk, the anarchist, Yang Kun Whan, the man who killed Min Won Sik and who served a term of 10 years in Japan, Yi Kui Yun etc. I don't know how correct Hyon is, but one thing is certain that Choi and his friends have no love for Cynn.
32
Went to the station to see brother Chi Wang leave for Kyoto.
33
4 p.m. a farewell meeting was held in the Central Y. in honor of Dr. Hirst and his wife by member of their friends. They have served the Korean people for the last 30 years and expect to leave us in a day or two for America to be with their children. God be with them till we meet again!
35
8th. Sunday. Hazy. Spring―like.
36
Seoul home. 10 to 12. The Jong No branch of the Retired Soldiers Association had its annual meeting at the Square just outside of the Shin Moo Moon(神武門) of the Kyong Pok Palace. Attended the first half of the meeting. Every speaker emphasized three well known facts (1) Japan owes her greatness to her war-likeness. (2) Japan is going through extraordinary time. (3) Japan must be prepared.
40
Wind, mostly southern gale, almost all night. Then a gentle shower probably from 2 a.m. to 9.
41
Pak Hung Sik(朴興植) is one of the most talked of men in the business circles of Seoul. He is just over 30, I understand. He came up to Seoul from Whang Hai Do some years ago and started a printing office as a secondary job to his wholesale paper store. By some sort of legerdemain, he succeeded in persuading the Bank of Chosen to lend him hundreds of thousand Yen with which he started the Wha-Shin Dept. Store, a poor imitation of the Mitsukoshi Dept. It is now reported that he is going to build a 7 storey Dept. Store with a chainstore system at the cost of ￥10,000,000.00. A great Japanese financial house(三菱) is to lend him the money. I call this crazy. Is Pak fooling the Japanese or vice versa? I am sure he is, knowingly or unwittingly, putting up a great store for the wily Japanese merchants in the heart of Jong No. I suppose he will by and by retire or be paid off a rich Korean, the valuable site and building all safely handed in the Japanese hands.
43
10th. Tuesday. Rain early morning.
44
Seoul home. Drizling rain all the day long.
45
To station with wife to bid farewell to Dr. and Mr. Hirst. Sorry to see them go for good.
46
The funeral service for Mrs. Hobbs in the English Cathedral 2~3 p.m. She was a good woman. She succumbbed to a major operation. Must be a great blow to her husband.
48
11th. Wednesday. Rain a.m. Chilly.
51
Mr. Yu Ok Kyum called this evening. He asked me if I had consented to go into the Central Council. He felt very much relieved when I told him that I had definitely declined to accept any position in the Council when I was approached by Mr. Kim Tai Woo, the Secretary of the Council. Yu tells me that Mr. Choi-Rin is reported to have consented to enter the Council and that he is making a great mistake as that will simply annihilate his reputation and influence among the Koreans. Mr. Yu regrets that Cynn has made himself very unpopular among the missionaries by his lust for power and among the Koreans by his connection with Pak In Duk. Yu seems to know the fact that Cynn is scheming to oust Mr. Ryang from his General Superintendency.
53
12th. Thursday. Gloomy. Very chilly.
54
Seoul home. One of the chilliest days I have seen this season.
55
10:30 this morning took 恩姬 to Dr. Martin of the Severance Hospital. Had her lungs X-rayed. The Doctor said there was nothing the matter with her lungs. Her pulse and blood pressure were a little too high. Told her to take only half day work in the school and to take open air exercise everyday.
57
13th. Friday. Pretty but icy a.m.
59
5 p.m. went to the station to welcome T.R.H., the King Yi and his Princess.
60
Mailed a letter to Bish. Kern asking his kind co-operation in raising the money for the Endowment Fund of Song Do H.C.S.
61
Much adverse criticisms are leveled against Mr. Choi Rin for having consented to become an officer in the Central Council. I don't see why or wherein he is a sinner above others to accept the position. Such is the strength that no ordinary man has the courage to brave it. Seven wise men can not argue down a sentiment, however, irrational it may be. Many a friend of mine seems much relieved to hear that I had refused to enter the Council. 具滋玉, 洪命憙, 宋鎭禹, 玄東完, 李鍾麟, 鄭寅普, 兪億兼.
63
14th. Saturday. Pretty. Cold.
65
Brother Chi Chang is going to open a dry grocery store, against my advice. He tells me that it is impossible to increase his wealth by saving, that he must do something to eke out his modest income. But I know he has no merchant in him by nature or by education. I am afraid his brother-in-law is at the bottom of it all.
67
15th. Sunday. Beautiful.
69
8:30 to 10 a.m. the 3rd or 4th Annual Meeting of the Retired Soldiers' Association(在鄕軍人大會) took place at the Shrine Square(神宮廣場) . All the branch associations throughout Korea over 200, sent representatives. His Highness, the King Yi, presided. Congratulatory addresses in galore as might well be expected. Every address had something about the "extra-ordinary times"(非常時) and great national crisis that demand of the loyal citizens of the Japanese Empire, devotion, union and sacrifice.
70
At 2:30 in the great Audience Hall(勤政殿) of the old Kyung Bok Palace, the Federation of the National Defence Associations(國防義會聯合會) was inaugurated in the presence of H.H. King Yi. He read a short address but his voice so weak that one could hardly hear what he read. I don't suppose he meant to be hear.
72
16th. Monday. Beautiful. Icy air.
73
Seoul home. 6:30 p.m. the Parents' Association for the Ewha College or rather the Managers of the Associations had a sukiyaki supper at the Lily Garden Restaurant to pass this year's budget. Misses Appenzeller and Helen Kim present making the meeting bright and cheerful. What a pair of pretty hands Helen K. has!
75
17th. Tuesday. Pretty. Icy air.
77
Allen and Candler came home from A-san and Chung-joo this afternoon.
78
From 7:30 to 10 p.m. the installation ceremony for Drs. K.S. Oh and D.B. Avison, President and Vice President of the Severance Union Medical College took place at Pai-Chai Hall. Dr. O.R. Avison, presented the Insignia of his office to Dr. Oh with appropriate address. The ceremony was simple but impressive. To many of us who saw the beginning of the College and Hospital 40 years ago can't help being deeply moved with a sense of profound respect for Dr. Avison and love for him for the great work he has so successfully achieved. May the new heads of the institution have the benediction of God and co-operation of the Korean people so as to make of the great institution a success as significant as Dr. Avison has made it―out of nothing.
80
18th. Wednesday. Beautiful.
81
Seoul home. 9~10 Mr. Choi Sung Man called and gave me rather a long chat about his future plans etc.
82
Went to the tea party given by Mr. Han Sang Ryong in honor of H.E. Hui Hup(熙洽) , the Finance Minister in the new Imperial Government of Manchuria. Understand he is immensely rich and is a determined anti-Korean Manchu.
84
19th. Thursday. Beautiful.
86
Hui Hup, the Finance Minister of the Imperial Government of Manchukuo made me smile in my sleeve when he talked about his state being founded on Wang-Do(王道) , The Kingly Way etc. Yet I couldn't help musing on what the Manchurian State might become in case Japan loses her grip on that vast territory. The fictitous Empire might then become a defector Empire. Why not? The Manchus haven't lost the spirit and tradition and ability of fight as completely as the Koreans. Another Aur Hachu may rise to solidify the "Empire" now in a more less gaseous state. Certainly the Manchus will make a better use of their "Empire" than the Koreans did with the "Korean Empire".
87
The Joong Ang Il Po(中央日報) proposes to organize a stock company with a capital of ￥300,000.00 in 15,000 shares @ ￥20.00 per share. The promotors(發起人) will subscribe 12,000 shares. A director in the new company must hold at least 100 shares. Hugh Cynn became one of the promotors subscribing 100 shares. He proposes to pay up for 10 shares only, asking his friends to pay for the 90 shares for him! Kim Tai Won, one of his "soldiers" is going round to do this dirty job for Cynn. Kim got Hyon, Hong, Jung of the Central Y. staff to pay for I share each. Hyon tells me that Kim asked Pak In Duk to pay for 2 shares. Cynn in his superintimate relation with her why did he let Kim do the asking? That's C's way in all his submarine tricks.
90
Seoul home. The Central Y. Board of Directors met at the Lily Garden. Mr. Kim. Chang Jay called attention to the Women's Club 女子俱樂部 being an abnormal institution in a Y.M.C.A.
92
21st. Saturday. Hazy a.m. Pretty p.m.
94
10 a.m. wife had to have her tonsils removed by Dr. Jung Kui Sup.
95
11:30 attended the Annual Meeting of the Pyong Ui Won(評議員會) of the Anti-Leprosy Association held in the Government General Building.
96
This afternoon Hyon D.W. told me the following story. He was summoned by Cynn's "Positive Band"(積極團) this morning(?) to their room in the C.L.S. Building. He found the Cabinet Members of the Band there with Cynn in the chair. They told him that as 60 fo the 100 shares have been secured, the remaining 40 shares had to be allotted to various friends for solicitation. Hyon was asked to work on Messrs. Kim Il Sun, Majong Yu, and Kim Yung Hui. Hyon politely begged to be excused. When someone remarked that Majong Yu being a Song Do man might not care to contribute that much to Cynn's cause. Upon which Cynn said "Why not? Ma is a contractor and he must know we have many buildings possibilities in our power". This remark of Cynn plainly indicated the spirit and policy of Cynn and his band. They use the little positions and jobs in the Methodist Church either as baits or rewards to keep them in "power". Cynn is obsessed or possessed by a consuming ambition to be a Hittler or a Stalin or a Lanning Boss. He has now come out boldly to use the Y.M.C.A. and the Korea Methodist Church as his tools for his personal agrandizement. Hyon tells me even poor Bible women have been coaxed or threatened to buy the Joong Ang Il Po share for Cynn!
100
Worshipped at the 宗橋 Church in the morning. Wife does well so far.
102
23rd. Monday. Bright. Warm.
103
Seoul home.(Cynn continued) Hyon tells me one of Cynn's aims is to fill the Central Y. with the members of his "Positive Band" who will obey him as implicitly and unconditionally as soldier. Hyon entertains a serious apprehension that Cynn would devise some trick to gobble up the Endowment Fund of the Central Y. Cynn persistently ordered Hyon not to invite the associate members of the Central Y. to its last Annual Meeting―which H. didn't obey. Even a baptised member is not to be given the privileges of a full member(正會員) of the Central Y. unless he is approved by the Membership Committee(會友部委員) , the Secretarial Staff and last, the Board of Directors. The last two acts are unconstitutional. By these arbitrary means, Cynn evidently intends or schemes to pack the Y. with his Positive Bandits so that he can use the Y. (Central) as his private organ.
105
24th. Tuesday. Cloudy.
106
Seoul home. Rain from a little past 9 a.m. to 10. More or less cloudy the rest of the day.
107
11 a.m. went to the home of Mr. Pak Hung Sik who celebrated the 61st Anniversary of his mother's birthday. This remarkable young man, (only 33 years old) lost his father when 13 years old and he said he owe to his mother everything that has enabled him to accomplish what he has achieved in business life.
109
25th. Wednesday. Beautiful. Very cool.
111
The Christian Europe has honored the Bible―Old and New Testaments―as the most precious Book in the world. Christ and the Religion He founded have been regarded, nay believed in as the greatest and the most blessed gift of God to mankind. Millions in Christian Europe would gladly die to defend the Bible and Christianity against any serious attack―as they did during the centuries of Moslem invasions or terrors. Very good. Now through whom did the Bible come into the world? Jews! Christ was a Jew according to the flesh. So were the Apostles. That is the Jews gave to Europe the most precious gift it was possible for God Himself to give to mankind. Then what an ingratitude, what a meanness, what a crime for the European Christians(?) to have maltreated and are maltreating the Jews!
113
26th. Thursday. Beautiful―Warm.
114
Seoul home. 4 p.m. went to see wedding of Choi Kyu Nam and Miss Chai Sun Nyup which took place at the Ewha Chapel. Dr. Avison and Miss Appenzeller officiated. 6:30 wedding feast at the Bright Moon Restaurannt. Nearly 200 guests. I had known Choi from the time when he was a student in the Anglo-Korean School. He is now a Ph.D. in Physics. Wish him and his wife a happy and prosperous conjugal life.
116
27th. Friday. Beautiful. Warm.
118
Our little children 寶, 瑛, 珽 went into Royal Garden(李王職花園) with the Kun Wha Kindergarten children to see the cherry blossoms, now in their glory. Just to see our little ones enjoy the day, I went too, after lunch. An immense crowd―so much so I didn't enjoy the show. The Seoul Electric Co. and the King Yi Household are scooping in ten sen and five sen nickels by the bushels.
120
28th. Saturday. Cloud a.m.
121
Seoul home. This morning Ho-Suni(豪善) the 3rd son of cousin Chi Sung called. He said that the remains of his mother have to be removed to another public cemetery from I-tai-won(伊泰院) grave yard as her grave is right in the place through which a big vehicle road is to be made. He told me that his 4th uncle gave him only ￥30.00 for the expenses while his 2nd uncle wouldn't give a sen. This 2nd uncle of his buys rice lands to the time of tens of thousands of Yen, has no money to help his brother to remove his wife's grave to a safe place! The meanness of it is that the 2nd cousin knows only too well where Ho-Suni would go to get the money. How wonderfully he and C. are alike in their method of doing things! I gave him(豪善) ￥20.00 but what he about his 2nd uncle may be a fiction, after all.
125
Rain from mid-night last―all the morning and all the afternoon.
126
This being the Anniversary of the Imperial birthday, a garden party was given inside of the old Palace ground―as usual. The only unusual thing that struck me was that a servant―police man(?) ―followed behind Mr. Yun Duk Yung(尹德榮) with an umbrella held over the nobleman. That kind of thing was all proper 30 years ago but looked rather out of place this day. Forty years ago Min Yung Ik was too great to carry a watch on his person so he made one of his numerous attendants, 玄興澤 to carry it for him. Whenever Min wanted to know the hour of the day he called his watch bearer to show him the time. I wonder if Yun D.Y. realizes that a Japanese is the Governor General in place of a Korean King or Emperor. The Korean aristocrats are as a tribe, the rottenest of their kind.
128
30th. Monday. Hazy sun. Cool.
129
Seoul home. 4 p.m. the Chang Moon Sa Co. had its Annual Meeting. The number of share holdrs reduced to 71 from over a thousand―a refreshing reduction. The meeting lasted about an hour.
130
Dr. Cynn didn't come, though he is a Director. Nor did he resign. All his movements so selfcentered―selfconceited, selfcalculated.
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