2
1st. Monday. Beautiful. Hot.
3
Seoul home. It was only a few days ago when Allen told me that Candler had, during last seven or eight years, incurred a debt of Two Hundred and Eight Thousand Yen in his crazy speculations in mines and fishery. He had borrowed from banks, financial organs of every sort and private persons. His debt to the infamous usurers of Song Do amounts to ￥120,000.00 at the rate of 24% or more a year. In order to save Candler from absolute beggary Allen and I have to make great sacrifice to pay off this awful debt!
5
2nd. Tuesday. Beautiful a.m. Cloudy p.m.
8
3rd. Wednesday. Cloudy. Steamy.
9
Seoul home. Went to our villa outside the North Gate with little children 10 a.m. Returned to the city 5 p.m.
11
4th. Thursday. Hot and steamy. Beautiful p.m.
14
5th. Friday. Beautiful. Hot.
15
Seoul home. The sunshine as clear as an autumnal sun―intensely hot. 10 a.m. to the Prefectural Office where a number of men, Japanese and Korean were gathered to discuss the means and ways of simplifying and economizing our stand and fashion of living. (1) Suggested the use of badges instead of different styles of coats on occasions of felicitation or of condolence. (2) In inviting people to meetings etc. not only the hour to begin but also the hour to end should be fixed. (3) No new dresses to be made. (4) Only one representative banner to be used for congratulating a young man going to the front!
16
2:30 p.m. two Majors and three Major Generals returned from North China in triumph. The Station was overflowing with people to welcome these heroes. While these brave men deserve all the praise and promotion they get, one can't help feeling sad when it is remembered that for one General to return in triumph loaded with honor and glory, tens and nay even hundreds of thousands of equally brave and good men must have sacrificed their lives.
17
4 p.m. I had to leave the station 10 minutes before 4 to go to the Chosun Hotel where General Nakamura, the new Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Korea gave a reception to a big crowd……………
19
6th. Saturday. Brilliant blazing heat.
20
Seoul home. Burning sun all day long without a sign of breeze―one of the hottest days of the summer.
22
7th. Sunday. Cloudy a.m. Very hot.
23
Seoul home. A "so-nai-ki" rain storm for 40 minutes between 5 and 6 p.m.
25
8th. Monday. Very hot. Blazing sun.
28
9th. Tuesday. Brilliant blazing sun.
29
Seoul home. Another burning dry heat day.
31
10th. Wednesday. Cloudy―Steamy a.m.
32
Seoul home. Was terribly hot last night. The Russo-Japanese tug-of-war seems to have became with the Chang-Ko Bong(張鼓峰) and 莎草俸 hills on the North Eastern border of Korea, just the other side of the Tu-Man River, as the centre of storm. No trains are allowed to run beyond Woong Ki(雄基) .
34
11th. Thursday. Sunny and very hot.
35
Being asked by the Director of Education to attend the organizing ceremonies of the Provincial Union of the National Mobilization of South Choong Chung Province I had to leave Seoul 2:30 p.m. with Mr. Hyon Yung Sup a young man from the National Mobilization Seoul Office and Myong Sup for Tai Jun. Arriving at Tai Jun a little after 7 an hour or more later than the schedule time, we were conducted to Bong Myong Kwan(鳳鳴館) at the Yu Sung Hot Springs. The inn is clean and airy and the bath very refreshing. Mr. 鄭, the Governor and Mr. 兪萬兼, the Councilor very kind.
37
12th. Friday. Brilliant. Hot.
38
Tai Jun(大田) . For the first time in many a year, I went to sleep about 9:30 last night and awoke at 6 this morning. After lunch at the inn, we went to the Provincial Office nearly 1 p.m. Thence to the Provincial Shrine where the Provincial Union of the National Mobilization was formally organized with the usual ceremonies and addresses. Near a thousand people out with all the officials and magistrates of the South Choong Chung Province. I read an instruction (訓示) from the Vice Governor in his stead. Then made a little speech in Japanese. I am sure I could have done better in Korean, but the Governor insisted my talking in Japanese as nearly half of the audience were Japanese.
39
Returned to Seoul per 3:30 p.m. train reaching home about 8.
41
13th. Saturday. Dry heat. Breezy.
42
Seoul home. This rainless dry parching heat continues day and night.
44
14th. Sunday. Cloudy. Steamy.
45
Seoul home. At his request called on Mr. Mitsuhashi, the Director Police Department.
47
15th. Monday. Cloudy. Steamy.
48
Seoul home. Between 9 and 10 thunder and lightening. Then steady down pour of rain.
50
16th. Tuesday. Cloudy.
51
Seoul home. At the request of the Chief of the Kyong Ki Provincial Police Bureau I went to the West Gate Police Station to see the Station Chief, at 8 a.m. Then had an interview with the Higher Police man who has been conducting the investigations into the Communistic plot in C.C.C. and the Independent movement which the Hung Up Club etc. have been carrying on in support of Yi Sung Man, according to the pretensions of the Police. He read to me from the voluminous depositions of Hugh Cynn a few pages bearing on how the Hung Up Club was started and why. (1) Some 15 years ago ……………………………………………… as the adherents of Ahn Chan Ho has organized associations of Hung Sa Dan. Cynn was further asked to turn all the Christian institutions and other Korean organizations into cellular tributaries to Tong Ji Sa whose objective is the independence of Korea. Cynn agreed to do so. Returning to SeoulCynn consulted with Yi Sang Jai and Yu Jung Joon about Rhee scheme which the two elder men approved. Next Cynn had another meeting at Koo Ja Ok's house to perfect the plan. The Hung Up Club was the outcome of these two meetings. I wasn't present at these meetings. When Cynn called together a dozen people to his home sometime in Oct. 1925 (大正十四年) I was present. Cynn delivered to them Rhee's message which the 12 persons assembled all approved. Decided to start the Hung Up Club for the double purpose of fostering independence movement among the Koreans in Korea and of supporting Rhee and his work in America. Yi Sang Jai, President, I, treasurer. (2) A year or two later Cynn and Yu before leaving Seoul to attend the Pacific Institute to be held in Hawaii, I gave them a farewell supper. There and then I ordered them to report to Rhee that we had organized subassociations in Korea to support his work etc. (Evident Cynn put this in to involve me in the plot as he was under no necessity of mentioning a farewell supper) . (3) Cynn further deposed that he tried to raise ￥50,000.00 to help Rhee asking me to give ￥20,000.00, Kim Il Su ￥10,000.00 and Jang Doo Hyon ￥10,000.00 and that I refused to give him the money. Cynn says he got so disgusted that quit having any interest in the Club from that time on.
52
The inquisitor asked me if I didn't Join the Club as a branch association of Rhee's Tong Ji Hoi to support him etc. etc. etc. I said I have three evidences to prove that I didn't. 1st I opposed the independent movement that stirred up the whole Korean population in 1919(大正八年) . I published my reasons for opposing it in the Keijo Nippo. Why should I join an association whose object is the independence of Korea in 1925? 2nd "Did you find a single man in the entire membership―say 30 or more―of the Club whom I recommended?" The inquisitor said "None." Then I said: "If I really believed that the Club was Dr. R.'s organ to help him in his work for independence is it possible I, as its President, wouldn't have recommended a single member in 14 years?" 3rd. The fact that I refused to give ￥20,000.00 for the support of Rhee's work is a proof that I didn't sympathize with his work.
53
The inquisitor said that he knew well enough that I was put in the Club just as a "kan pan" a signboard to attract people, and that the real work of the Club was done by Cynn, Yu, and Koo. "But" said he, "Who will believe you if you, the President of the Club, didn't know the real objective of the organization? Cynn, Yu and 30 others have all confessed that the Club was organized to promote the cause of Korean independence and that it was a branch supporter of the Tong Ji Hoi of Dr. Rhee. If you persist in denying it you will only delay the settlement of the case for nobody knows how long. Your affirmation will not be used against you as all the higher authorities want to save you."
54
Seeing that my denial would only make the case go render for the 30 or more men in jail I said "I have given you my proofs that I didn't think the Club had a political motive. But…………………………………
56
17th. Wednesday. Rain.
57
Seoul home. Couldn't sleep last night regretting that I didn't persist in denial.
59
18th. Thursday. Rain early a.m. Fair p.m.
60
Seoul home. A "tai-phoon" visited North-Eastern Korea with terrific rain storms, lightening, flooding the cities of Ham Hung, Jung Pyong from the 16th to this morning. In the district of Jung Pyong 16,000 houses are reported to have been submerged under water with death and sufferings to the panic stricken population.
62
19th. Friday. Sun. Hot.
63
Seoul home. The Triennial Conference of the old Korean National Council of Y.'s met at the Central Y. from 2 p.m. Moved and carried 1. The affiliation of the Korean National Council with the Japanese National Council, transferring all international relations to the latter body. 2. The Constitution or Regulations of the New Korean Council adopted. 3. A Committee of Five appointed to transact all business until the new Council Committee is formed and to approve the members of the new Council to be recommended by different local associations without convening an extra General Meeting(大會) . Whole thing done in two hours.
65
20th. Saturday. Beautiful.
66
Seoul home. Went to Pu Am Jung with 琦善 and 珽善 10 a.m. Returned to city 6:30.
67
An American diplomat was heard to say that, in choosing his posts, if he had to choose between Siam and Hell, he would take Siam, But, if the choice lay between Korea and Hell he would prefer the latter. As a Korean I sincerely hope he got his preferred appointment, yet I can't help feeling that Korea―the political Korea―hasn't been very much better than hell for the 70 years past. Under the last Korean ruler―the vain Old Great Emperor as he styled himself―no man in public life felt easy especially during the last three decades of his rotten misgovernment. The crimes of which public men were usually accused and for which they were arrested imprisoned, exiled and even killed were having correspondence with the political refugees in Tokyo, attempts or plots to revive the Independence Club, or being too pro-Japanese. Now, our new rulers are treating us with the hellish policies of the corrupt officials of the old Korean Emperor, only in this case, the refugees live in far away America while the charges are plotting or wishing for independence, and Anti-Japanese speech or thoughts.
69
21st. Sunday. Sun. Steamy.
72
22nd. Monday. Beautiful morning. Hot.
73
Seoul home. Dr. Helen Kim called near noon. Happy to see her to whom I could talk freely and from whom I could get appreciation and sympathy. She told me that on the 16th inst.―the day I went to the West Gate Police Station―Kim Tai Woo informed her that I had gone to the Station. To her anxious inquiry whether the Police would keep me, his answer was: "If Mr. Yun admits the facts he will be let go at once but if he persists in denying them, (the facts) they may keep him indefinitely. Yu Ok Kyum denied the charges for 5 days thus only prolonged the days of investigation.
75
23rd. Tuesday. Beautiful morning.
76
Seoul home. Mr. Niwa called just before 12 direct from the Governor General's Office. Mr. Niwa said he had an interview with the General pretending to report how the Korean Christian union is getting along but really to plead for me. Mr. Niwa told the General how faithfully I have been working for the unification of Japan and Korea and that it would be unjust to punish me just for having been a nominal head of a Club said to have been working for Korea's independence. The Governor General in answer said he knew that I was all right and that he had no thought of hurting me. He, the Governor further said he would see and talk with me as soon as West Gate affair is settled. Mr. Shiobara gave a supper at the Chosun Hotel to the Standing Committee of the Korean Union Mobilization.
78
24th. Wednesday. Cloudy. Steamy a.m.
79
Seoul home. Very close and hot last night―one of the hottest nights. A short "sonaiki" about 2 this morning.
80
Yesterday after supper at the Hotel near an hour was spent in conversation about raising morning glory. Major General Mayeda is the President of a Morning Glory Association―the members vying with each other to produce the biggest and finest specimens of the flower. The passionate love of flowers by all classes in Japan is wonderful and is harder to explain than the passionate love of war.
82
25th. Thursday. Beautiful. Steaming heat.
83
Seoul home. This morning cousin Chi-O told me that our 6th cousin Chi Yung and the Hung Up Club offenders are to be released no later than the 31st inst., the informant being one of those who know the secrets of the Higher Police Section of the West Gate Station. All this may turn out mere rumors fathered by the wishes of the anxious families of the prisoners.
84
To the Station 1:30 p.m. to welcome Dr. Ryang back home.
85
4 p.m. to 5:30 had a Patriotic Round Table Conference to which the Church leaders who live in the districts under the rule of the Chong-No Police Station. About hundred people out nearly half of whom were women. Dr. Ryang called 8 p.m.
87
26th. Friday. Cloudy―Steamy a.m.
88
Seoul home. Passing showers on and off all the afternoon.
90
27th. Saturday. Cloudy a.m. Blazing sun p.m.
91
Seoul home. Lunch at Kei Jo Hotel by the invitation of Pastor Kim Woo Hyon, Drs. Ryang, Underwood, Pastors Cha, Lyu, Dr. Oh also present. Kim and Cha presented the case of the new Christian News(基督新聞) with the earnest request to Dr. Ryang especially to make the new paper the organ of both denominations.
92
Dr. Underwood told us that he had been summoned to the West Gate Police Station yesterday and was told that Messrs. Yu O.K., Yi Choon Ho, Choi Hyon Pai, and Hong Sung Kook had signed resignation papers and hence he should make preparations to get new teachers. Yi Soon Taik, Paik Nam Woon, and No Tong Kyu to be sent to the prosecutor. 玄正柱 and 鄭光鉉 not mentioned.
94
28th. Sunday. Cloudy. Steamy heat.
95
Seoul home. With wife called on Hong Pyong Sun in Dr. Rue's Sanitarium. Hong's face and legs a little swollen. He seemed all right in other respects. He said there was no charge against him that deserved even a detention. But Hugh Cynn having told the inquisitor that Hong had organized a branch of Positive League among the members of the Tokyo Korean Y.M.C.A., Hong was bullied to confess to have done so. He knew Cynn's information was a stark lie so he denied the charge. The inquisitor was mad so he left him in prison for 40 days. At last, when Hong said there was no way to get out except by "confessing" the lie, he told the inquisitor the way he wanted Hong to say in order to round up the document. Hong's beriberi getting worse he was permitted to go the hospital yesterday afternoon.
96
Rain from about 4 p.m. in earnest.
98
29th. Monday. Rain a.m.
99
Seoul home. Rained all last night, though gently.
101
30th. Tuesday. Bright―Steaming heart.
102
Seoul home. Mr. Koo Ja Hyuk, the brother of Koo Ja Ok told me this morning that the Policeman who witnessed the examination of Hugh Cynn at the West Gate Police Station said Cynn was a damn fool(망한놈) because Cynn deposed pages after pages of stuff which he had no necessity of telling the Police―just either to show what a wonderful personality or to involve innocent men in his incriminating statements.
104
31th. Wednesday. Bright. Steaming heat.
105
Seoul home. 11:30 a.m. Mr. Nakamura of the Provincial Police Bureau asked me to call on Judge Nagasaki, the Thoughts Prosecutor, at his office. So I did. Found the Judge very friendly. He asked me my relation to the Hung Up Club. I said in brief as follows: "Being the President of the Club which Hugh Cynn and 30 odd others have confessed to have been organized for the purpose of keeping up independent agitations among the Koreans, I realize how awkward for me to say I didn't know it. I shall not therefore attempt to excuse myself or to justify myself. Only I beg you will allow me to state my opinions concerning Korean independence. Ⅰ. In 1919(大正八年) whole Korean was up for independence. The intelligentsia firmly believed that President Wilson would set all small nations from alien dominations. I was urged to join the movement. I refused to join it not only but I published my reasons for opposing the movement through the Keijo Nippo. Now is it likely that I, who opposed the independent movement when everything in Korea and in the attitude of the great powers of the world seemed so favorable to such a movement, would start or join an association whose object was to work for the independence of Korea by paying 10 or 20 yen a member and that only 30 or so members all told in 14 years? Ⅱ. If I had such an object in view why didn't I recommend a single member in 14 years as the Police investigator himself admits? Ⅲ. Cynn says he asked me to contribute ￥20,000.00 to help the Dong-Ji-Hoi but that I flatly refused to do. If I really believed the Club was to promote the cause of independence by supporting Dr. Rhee Sung Man, I would not have grudge to give that much money. These three show plainly that I became a member of the Club not with any political motives." I saw the clerk writing down what I said.
106
The Judge asked why I opposed Cynn's Positive Faith League. I said because I believed it was Cynn's ambition to capture all the Christian institutions for the League and to make himself the dictator among the Korean Christians.
107
After a few desultory questions the Judge or Prosecutor said something like this: We of the Government General are grateful for your efforts to promote the cause of Japan-Korea unification. I hope you will lead these men for the same cause as they seem to trust you almost as a "kamisama." I shall treat them leniently for your sake "Anata no okage te, arera……."
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