2
1st. Sunday. Cloudy. Misty rain on and off.
4
Had to build a little fire to dry things.
5
Lunch at Dr. Oh's home who celebrated the 100th day of his grandson―the first child of my niece 興順.
6
2 p.m. went to the West Gate Presbyterian Church to see the celebration of the 50th year since the introduction of the Presbyterian Mission in Korea. There were altogether 11 congratulatory addresses including my own, of which 8 speeches had to be translated into Korean. The whole service lasted 3:15 hours. The audience largely composed of Presbyterian Pastors behaved well. What a contrast to the more or less unsatisfactory program of the Methodist celebration. Understand visitors from abroad, America, Japan, China, India, Siam, have come to see the three day celebration. The Presbyterians do things more business-like than the Methodists.
8
2nd. Monday. Cloudy. Misty rain on and off.
9
Seoul home. 4 p.m. a meeting of the Executive Committee (15 members) of the Society for Simplification of the Korean Spelling(朝鮮語記寫法整理期年會) was held at the Lily Garden Restaurant. Passed the draft of the public statement which the Society has voted to publish disapproving the abominable system of spelling a bunch of cranks have fastened onto the Korean unmoon.
11
3rd. Tuesday. Cloud. Rain a.m.
13
A short but heavy rainfall between 5:30 and 6 a.m. Misty rain all the forenoon until 11 a.m. when sun shone out bright and good first time in ten days.
14
In the Chui Woon Jung(翠雲亭) valley the Yak Soo Dai(藥水坮) is a lot of 269 tsubo, which I have bought for our Lambuth 埼善. On three sides it is contiguous to brother Chi Chang's land. A year or two ago brother Chi Wang had some one survey Chi Chang's land and put a bobbwire fence all around it. Last Spring I asked 李浩善 to survey our land and found that Chi Chang's man had enclosed within the fence 43 tsubo of our property. Then I had stakes placed where they, the boundary should be, hoping to have the thing all straightened when Chi Chang returns. Chi Chang who came home the other day is very much excited, because my men had dared change the boundary line which his surveyor had fixed according to the official map.
16
4th. Wednesday. Cloudy most of the day.
17
Seoul home. This afternoon Extras report that the Saito Cabinet had tendered its resignation and that General Okada(岡田) was ordered by the Emperor to from the new Cabinet.
18
Vis-Count Saito is certainly a lucky man. As Premier he steered the ship of State through one of the most critical periods in the history of Japan for the last two years or more without landing it on a rock.
20
5th. Thursday. Misty a.m. Sun p.m.
22
This afternoon Mr. 李胤鍾 in whom brother Chi Wang has a great deal of confidence came to our Sarang and said that my surveyor 李浩善's survey was all wrong. When he was shown the map according to which 李浩善 had surveyed 李胤鍾 was dumb founded saying that according to that map we were right. Then the whole question is reduced, to which map was right, Chi Wang's or ours, I at once sent Myong Sup to the Mayor's Office with our map to have it verified with the official copy of the map in the Mayor's Office. I am very glad I didn't make mistake.
24
6th. Friday. Sun. Hot.
25
Seoul home. This morning Chi Wang brought the surveyor Ryu Jung Kun 柳正根 with him who confessed that he had made mistake in putting 致昌‘s borderline 4 1/2 "Kan" further into our land than the registered(official) map permits. Well that's all right
26
Brother 致旺 left Seoul for Kyoto per 9:40 night train.
28
7th. Saturday. Sun. Hot.
30
There is much rumors in the air that some kind of quasi political or anizations is to be launched under the inspiration of the authorities. Some say that the Il-Chin Hoi is to be revived under the leadership of Choi Rin; that Ko-Il-Chung is to become the head of Si-Chun Kyo; that a Club called the Kap-Sul Club for the Seoul Club is to be started by men like Kim Sang Sul and Kim Sa Yun. When we remember that the Il Chin Hoi was created by Yi Yong Koo as the instigation of his Japanese masters as a representative popular organization of Korea first to help the Japanese army as porters and guides during the Russo-Japanese war and then to petition, in the name of the people of Korea, the last Emperor of the Yi Dynasty to hand over the Kingdom to the Emperor of Japan; when we remember further that Song Pyong Joon manipulated the so called Si Chun Kyo sect to advance the cause of annexation etc.―When we remember all this we can fairly guess what the Japanese rulers are trying to do by reminiscing those organizatons now almost forgotten. Japan is leaving no stone unturned in preparing for a gigantic fight with Russia. Those miserable organizations are, we suppose, to be used not as poters now but as suppressors of any anti-J. movement among the koreans.
32
8th. Sunday. Cloudy. Sultry.
35
9th. Monday. Misty rain on and off all day.
36
Seoul home. Mr. Bose's "Fettered India" is interesting and instructive. My former belief that England treated her Hindoo subjects fairly and benevolently has been altogether disillusioned by Mr. Bose's book. Perfectly astonished that England in India is as bad as any other conquering race is in a subjugated land.
37
In one of his chapters Mr. Bose tried to show that the English have no qualifications for ruling over the immense population of India. But I don't think he is right there. It is wellknown that there are only about 3,000 Britishers in the Government of India. That is 1 English man over 110,000 Indians. Only 70 thousand British soldiers in a land where are 187,437 Indian soldiers recruted from 10 million war-like tribes. Now these figures prove more conclusively than a whole library of books that the English have a genius for ruling other races unequalled by any other nation in the history of the world. To say that the English are selfish, arrogant, grasping and unjust in India is to say that they are human beings!
39
10th. Tuesday. Cloudy-Sultry.
40
Seoul home. 4:30 went to a sukiyaki party given by Mr. Son In Woo at the Yedogawa Restaurant. Guests: Messrs. Cynn Yu O.K., Kim Yang Soo, Helen Kim, Kim Jong Chil, Paik Kwan Soo besides myself.
42
11th. Wednesday. Cloudy. Rain a.m. Steamy―Sticking.
43
Our 璋善, 埼善 , and 明姬 are having a hard time in standing their school examinations. 璋善 had only about 2 hour's rest last night. They have three days more for these trying examinations. The Japanese parents complain that their children compared with the children of other countries―say of England―are getting education under two fold disadvantages in that the Japanese have to study all subjects in two languages Chinese and Japanese. If so our Korean children are suffering or struggling with a system that compel them to study under 6 fold disadvantages!
44
Under the caption, "Slavery in Liberia", today's Seoul Press has an item which runs: Conditions in the Negro Republic of Liberia concerning slave trade have become so revolting that the British Government has decided to issue a Blue Book calling upon the U.S. to undertake joint action to bring about a remedy. "Although Liberia herself originally was founded as a refuge for freed slaves, she has become the headquarters of a very extensive slave trade". Just another proof that human nature is evil, as universally evil as there are human beings
46
12th. Thursday. Rain. Cool.
47
Seoul home. More or less rain all last night. A torrential rainfall between 6:30 and 7. Then steady rain all the forenoon.
49
13th. Friday. Cloud a.m. No rain.
50
Seoul home. China has been posing as a martyer to the high principles of justice and humanity under the high handed robbery and agression of Japan. I was disgusted with a piece of interracial wickedness which China is recorded to have committed lately. Soon after the Manchu Dynasty was dethroned, the Chinese "Republic" so called declared the land in the immense territory of Inner Mongolia a state property thus confiscating from the Mongols all the lands they possessed. Then they―the virtuous Chinese―resold the land theoretically to the Mongols and the Chinese emigrants but actually to the latter―the Chinese police being to dispossess the Mongols of their land for the benefit of the Chinese―especially of the corrupt officials and capitalists. China enforced this nefarious policy at the point of the bayonette. Whenever the Mongols showed signs of resistance they were mercilessly suppressed―calling them bandits etc.! Mongols barely escaped being destroyed or reduced to sheer serfdom but for timely intervention of Japan which delivered the Inner Mongolia from the just and human rule of the Chinese Republic! Thus China is no better than any other country in her dealings with weaker races.
52
14th. Saturday. Bright a.m. Cloud p.m.
53
Seoul home. Mother left Seoul 8 : 40 a.m. for Song Do for the summer.
55
15th. Sunday. Cloudy-Cool.
57
About 3 p.m. Mrs. Hong and Miss Im Yung Shin called. The burden of their complaint was that Helen Kim, by simply reporting to the Board of Managers what Miss Im had intimated to be her desire to resign, as her definite request for resignation, had them―all Helen's supporters―to accept the resignation. Miss Im said further that she had plainly asked Miss Helen not to mention her desire to resign to the Executive Committee, and that Helen in her eagerness to get rid of her, remembered Miss Im's desire to resign but forgot the request not to present her case to the Committee as yet. All the members of the Board and of the Executive Committee being Helen's women except four, who seldom attend the meetings, Helen Kim has it all her way in the meetings. Mrs. Hong said that what enrages Helen K. most is her suspicion that some male(Cynn) is coaching Misses Im, and Pak In Duk, to oppose her. The trouble with Helen K. seems to be that she has so thoroughly been indoctrinated with the ideals and practice of Cynn's carrying on things that she must play a Mussolini against all comers. On the other hand she is so jealous of P.I.D.'s relation with Cynn that she can't stand anything where and when Cynn finger of direction is detected or suspected. While these unlovely personal wrangles go on, both the Y.M. and the Y.W. works suffer beyond remedy.
62
17th. Tuesday. Cloud―Pale sun on and off.
63
Left Seoul 8:40 train with 珽善 for Song Do. Mother not well. She is visibly feebler than she was this time last year. A rather pro-Chinese writer says in an article in "Asia", that the heroic behavior of the 19th Route Army in Shanghai, 1932, raised China in the estimation of Europe and America more than any one single stunt China might have done, but that the poor show which the Chinese soldiers put up in their attempted resistance to the Japanese troops elsewhere in Northern China, disgusted the Western nations. The world will not, simply will not, respect a nation or a race that can't fight. No people can live or enjoy the respect of others who can't fight. The instinct of self-preservation and the instinct of honor―two of the most powerful instincts of man demand that a nation must be war-like and war prepared. As long as war is glorified―as long as great generals and admirals are deified―so long war will not cease; as long as war is liable to break out any time so long preparations will be made for war; and as long as preparations for war continue so long the last copper in the farmer's pocket will be picked and so long human misery will last. Then who or what will stop war?
66
18th. Wednesday. Rain 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
69
19th. Thursday. Cloudy.
71
This afternoon, 4―a dozen people met at the Central Y. to start a Society for Diffusion of Scientific Knowledge. One of the first things they proposed to do was the publication of a magazine. Now all that is good and proper. But where will they get money for it? These same people started some months ago a magazine called Scientific Korea. They kept it alive up to No. 7 then the paper stopped for lack of fund. The new magazine they propose to publish will do no better. The motto of these people is "sijak I banita"-(to begin is half done) The trouble is that to begin is all done.
73
20th. Friday. Cloudy. Steamy.
75
Our children's summer vacation begins today. Their records all show satisfactory work during the last four months.
76
Four teachers from the First H.C. School called this afternoon. They said they are prepaaring for the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the founding of that school next year. They want an amplifier(擴聲器) costing ￥350.00 and d motion picture camera worth ￥550.00 They are calling on the parents of students for a subscription. I told them I would buy the amplifyer for the school.
78
21st. Saturday. Cloudy. Sprays of rain.
80
Mr. 鮮于全 who made a flying visit to Tokyo recently called. He told me that there are 400,000 Koreans, most of whom are unskilled laborors, in Japan. They are giving headache to the Japanese statesmen.
81
He further said the public men of Japan appreciate the fact that the Koreans have kept up a sympathetic attitude during the last three years of extraordinary national crises of the Japanese Empire.
83
22nd. Sunday. Cloudy. Cool.
84
Seoul home. Vis-Count Rotharmere in an article entitled "I want Friendship with Japan", said in conclusion, "Let the League keep its officious hands off the Far East! Japan has a much greater right to concern herself with Chinese affairs and she cannot be expected to starve to death in her sterile island to oblige the League of Nations". This man talks like a sensible English man. If you ask, "Is Japan right in grabbing her neighbor's land?" My answer cynical as it my sound, is "What nation―a war-like strong nation―hasn't done the same thing? England or France? Germany or Russia? China? No, there is no nation that can throw the first stone at Japan!
86
23rd. Monday. Rain a.m.
87
Seoul home. Rain from 9 last night, all night and all morning. Stopped about 11. From the 21st very disastrous rainfall in the Southern extremes of Korea. The overflow of the Nakdong Kang and of the Yung Chun Kang has submerged thousands of homes, destorying hundreds of lives and property in terms of tens of millions. Up to the 21st these afflictted districts suffered from a long spell of scorching drought. Only less than a month ago, West Pyong An Do―including Pyong Yang―suffered from flood.
89
24th. Tuesday. Hot sun. Very hot.
90
Seoul home. "When will you leave for your summer resort?" I asked a friend. "I don't feel quite well. Then again, the trains are so jammed with students returning home that it is not pleasant to travel just these few days. Besides the reports of the flood disasters in South Kyong Sang and Jun-La Provinces are so alarming that I have no heart to think of summer resort". He saip the last words in such a tearful voice that one couldn't help admire his great philanthropic sentiment. Just pass him the hat for a collection for the sufferers―and you will soon find out what his philanthropy is worth.
92
25th. Wednesday. Rain a.m. Steamy p.m.
93
Seoul home. Today's paper gives the toll of flood disaster in South Korea as follows. In So. Kyong Sang Do 4,000 rendered homeless; 16 drowned; 20,000 houses inundated; Fields―R.R. track and embankments damaged in N. Kyong Sang Do. In So. Jun-La Do 162 houses washed away, 5,614 houses inundated; 6 bridges gone etc. The Seoul-Fusan and Ho-Nam lines so flooded and damaged that there is no immediate hope of restoring them. The R.R. Bureau has decided to carry Japan going passengers by a steamer from Chemulpo to Hakada.
96
Seoul home. Rather heavy rain from 8 a.m. to 12. Torrential downpour between 3 and 5 p.m.
97
This morning at 8 attended a Catholic wedding in the Seoul Cathedral. I was rather pleased with the elaborate ritual―the candles, the bells, the incense, the priests with robes. The nuns with hoods, the sonorous chants, the devout crossings. Certainly the building and the ritual all give an atmosphere conducive to religious emotions. The Protestant Churches are too secular in appearance and in atmosphere.
99
27th. Friday. Rain all last night and this morning.
101
Papers report that an armed clash between the troops of Jugoslavia and those of Austria took place yesterday. Is another world war started? Just this time twenty years ago the last World-War broke out. Man is the craziest beast I the kingdom of ferocious animals. Sixty centuries of destructive wars haven't taught him the futility, fatality and foolishness of war. Still the great, glorious, races of the world are arming themselves to the teeth, in the name of justice humanity, each praying to their gods to bless them and curse their enemies! Each nation has created its own gods after its own image!!!
103
28th. Saturday. Cloudy―Steamy.
104
Seoul home. This afternoon, Mr. Yi Ul(李乙) of the Kai Pyok Magazine, called, asking for a contribution for the paper. He volunteered the information that the authorities in the country persecuted the Chun Do Kyo people telling them not send "devotional rice" 誠米 and money to the leaders in Seoul; that Mr. Choi Rin was thus compelled to accept the office in the Central Council to save his co-religionists. He further said that now the Japanese police in the country encourage those of the Chun Do Kyo Sect who favor Mr. Choi and persecute those who disapprove his action. Mr. Yi thinks, and he ought to know, Mr. Choi is soon to put up a shingle for some kind of Hoi or Society. Many hot headed young men are ready to maul Choi the first chance they have.
106
29th. Sunday. Sunshine p.m. Hot.
107
Seoul home. Wife and I, with our children, except Washington and Lambuth, went out to the Dong Duk Girls' Higher Common School, outside of the East Gate to see Miss Sohn, a teacher of the School, and to have a little country air from 3 to 5 p.m. The School stands on a high ground and command a good view all round. Our little ones seemed to enjoy the outing.
109
30th. Monday. Cloudy. From 9 a.m. rain.
110
Seoul home. Had an interview with the judge who has charge of Mr. Nam Koong Uk's case at his request. The judge said that Mr. N.K.U. being an old man and having signified his intention of spending the remaining years of his life with pen and ink without saying or doing anything about politics, he(the judge) was thinking about releasing him on bond. The judge suggested that I should tell Mr. N.K.U. to keep quiet and stay where he is easily communicated with in case of need. I told him I would see to it that Mr. N.K.U. wouldn't do anything again that might trouble the judge etc., etc., etc.
111
Tremendous rain from 9 a.m. on until 4:30 p.m.
112
Went to the Seoul Prison to welcome Mr. Nam Koong coming out of the Prison 8 p.m. Took him home and after supper he went to Song Do with Candler by 10 p.m. train.
115
Seoul home. From this year income tax purely as such is to be levied. For the Koreans whose income comes from rice lands alone like myself, they pay four fold taxes on the same piece of land. Taxes are the only sky scraper for the Korean.
116
If there are two thing which Confucian sages emphasize more than any other in their "Kingly Ways" of politics(王道) , they are light taxation and abolition of war. The Japanese claim most loudly that the Government of the Japanese Empire is the only government that practices the principles of the Kingly Ways. How about the feverish preparation for war and the crushing taxation that knows no end?
117
6:30―9:30 p.m. a farewell supper at 明月館 to General Iwasa, the Commander of Gendarme.
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