2
1st. Wednesday. 晴熱. 毒旱. (癸未 八月 二日)
3
Seoul home. While the thermometer records lower grades (F. 74° a.m. 84° at 4 p.m) the sun is intensely hot―literally burning up grass, leaves and agricultural plants. Truck gardens are parched to dust.
4
6th cousin Chi-Yung who is believed by everybody to be the chief ruiner of brother Chi-Wang, in his promiscuous borrowing on Chi-Wang's notes, committed a fraudulent act for ¥20,000.00. He is now in danger of being locked up for the default if the 20,000 yen isn't paid up in ten days. Chi-Wang is desperate to raise this money―but how and where? Too bad.
6
2nd. Thursday. 陰熱. (癸未 八月 三日)
8
Cloudy and steamy from morning as if to rain some. Went to 月眉島潮湯 per 7:25 a.m. train. Had a refreshing bath. On my way back to the station was agreeably surprised and delighted to meet Allen's wife and my Sook Kyong on the bridge. They thoughtfully brought me a bottle of beer. I alone returned to Seoul per 11:05 a.m. train.
9
A little sprinkling of rain now and then from 9 a.m. to 12. Most tantalizing. Nature itself seems to have been Hitlerized, mean, cruel, rejoicing in the sufferings of innocent people.
13
The dreadful rain-less heat continues in all its cruelty and indifference to the agonies of men and beasts.
14
Went to 4th cousin Chi-Byong's home 12 where his wife's 61st birthday was celebrated.
16
4th. Saturday. 請熱. 毒旱. (癸未 八月 五日)
17
Blazing sun from morning.
18
This morning's papers report that the British troops had succeeded in landing on the South-Western coast of Calabria, Italy. It may turn out another Dunkerk.
19
Steamy afternoon―looks like brewing rain. Between 7 and 9 a little sprinkling and no more.
20
Had a good rendezvous with Sook Kyong from 9 to 10 in Sarang.
24
6th. Monday. Cloudy and steamy.
25
3 p.m. went to the 總力聯盟 office where the Committee on Conscription Memorial Association were gathered to discuss about the name and objects of the new organization.
26
全□李집 came to see me. She said she had harvested 9 "sums" of barley. She was compelled to 供出 export 7 sum for which they gave her 12 yen! All folks of a village, women and children were called out to water the parched rice fields with buckets. The women said among themselves "what's" use of our toiling to produce more rice? We can't get a grain of it. We would be happier dead than living under these hard conditions."
28
7th. Tuesday. 朝陰, 晩雨. Cloudy a.m.
29
7:25 train to 月尾島 hot bath. On the way back to the station was delighted to meet Allen's wife and Sook Kyong going to the bath. I alone returned to Seoul per 11:05 a.m. train.
30
Began to rain 3 p.m. and continued gentle showers until past midnight. This rain will do some good to the vegetable gardens any way.
32
8th. Wednesday. 朝陰. Cloudy.
33
6:30 a.m. attended the Patriotic Day meeting as usual.
36
Some little rain last night. A brief shower early this morning.
37
中樞院 reopened its Thursday meeting today at 12.
38
This evening's papers report that Italy surrendered unconditionally to the Anglo-Saxon Allies. Facing about is no new trick to Italy. In the 1st World-War Italy back out from the Triple Alliance. Hence I don't blame Italy for backing out from the Hell Hitler's grip. What puzzles me is this: Has Italy lost confidence and hope in the ultimate success of Hell Hitler's European hegemony? I wish Japan would declare her independence from Hitler!
40
10th. Friday. 晴薰. Beautiful.
41
This morning's papers say that Mussolini's Fascists have started the Opposition Movement in North Italy with the backing Hell Hitler. So Mussolini will play Chiang Kai Sek in Italy and plunge the country into a civil war. Wherever Hitler goes and there goes the Hell.
42
I used to admire and respect Mussolini as a great and good man. He saved Italy from Bolshevism and made an honorable member in the commonwealth of European powers. Had he devoted his talents and time to the internal prosperity of the country and the peaceful exploitation and development of Italian colonies in North and East Africa, Italy might, nay, would have become during the last twenty years, a great and glorious power in Europe. But urged by the demoniacal ambition of making Italy an imperial state Mussolini started the predatory acts of gobbling up little helpless states like Montenegro and Albania. Then the most abominable invasion and final annexation of Ethiopia―all of which added nothing to the greatness of Italy except debts and misery. No doubt to keep himself in the saddle he had to pretend to do something for the country. He willingly, perhaps from necessity for self-preservation, he came the slave of Hell Hitler to the economic ruin and military disaster of Italy.
43
At 2 p.m. attended the meeting of the Committee on Conscription Memorial Association.
44
Called on Sook Kyong 8:30 p.m.
47
6:30 a.m. went to 傅岩亭. Sook Kyong joined me at 8:00. Returned to city 5:30 p.m. She asked me to give her ¥300,00 to visit her paternal aunt. I didn't like that.
50
Spent morning hours at 翠雲亭 reading 三國誌.
51
The dreadful drought is continuing.
54
Stayed at home. The heat is very uncomfortable.
55
At 11 a.m. our 璋善 returned home from Tokyo. Thank God.
57
14th. Tuesday. 晴薰. Beautiful.
58
Allen's wife, 恩姬 and 瑛姬 went to Asan to pay visit to their "omma"'s grave.
59
Yi Wan Yung(李完榮) passed away this morning. He was a very firm young man. Too bad he is dead so young.
60
By invitation I took lunch at 聖權母’s home at 12.
62
15th. Wednesday. 晴薰. Beautiful.
63
This dry heat day after day is very uncomfortable. Vegetables and rice plants are literally scorched in the parched fields.
64
Per 7:15 a.m. train went to 月尾島. After having had a refreshing bath returned to city per 11:05 a.m. train.
65
5:38 p.m. train went to Ewha college to see our 寶姬 play piano in the concert given by the graduating music-class 14 girls in all. Our daughter did well and the thought how our 梅麗 would have enjoyed the evening brought tears to our eyes. 璋善, 恩姬, 瑛姬, all shared the feeling.
67
16th. Thursday. 晴薰. Hot and uncomfortable.
68
Went to the 中樞院 luncheon as usual.
69
As expected, Italy seems to be in a terrible fit. Important and strategic cities and positions in Northern Italy are rapidly being occupied by the German troops. Fighting is going on between the Anglo-Saxon allies and the German in the Southern end of the Peninsula. Mussolini is re-organizing the Fascist Party and may once more march on Rome. The King may have to join the rank of refugee presidents and kings in London.
70
Now, the great puzzle to me is this: How is it that the surrenderists didn't calculate on these eventualitles? Is it possible that the leaders of the surrenderists had so much confidence in the efficiency and ability of England and her American ally that they had no fear of German onslaught and Mussolinian resurrection.
71
Italy seems to have committed a political blunder worse than a crime. As to the moral aspect of the Italian defection it can not be justified by any ethical standard. All one can say, however, is that Italy has done no worse than France did, and that all the principal actors in this great world war viz. Hitler, Stalin, England and America, are so mean and treacherous that none of them can throw the first stone at poor Italy.
72
Thanks to her Bushito, Japan has so far kept her international honor bright. But what I fear is that treacherous and cruel Hitler may use this very virtue of Japan to promote his war-for-war-sake policies.
75
翠雲亭 from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
78
Seoul home. Rain most of last night and this morning. Went to 李完榮’s home to see his remains leave Seoul 7:30.
79
Per 12:40 noon train went to new Science Department of the Seoul University where the opening exercises were held. 4:25 p.m. returned home with Kim Helen supper.
82
Seoul home. A vigorous shower about 5 a.m. Clear and pretty rest of the day. Went to 傳岩亭 7 a.m She joined me at 9. Luncheon at 12. Returned to city about 3 p.m.
84
20th. Monday. Rather suddenly cool in the morning.
85
Went to 月眉島 sea water hot bath per 7:25 morning train. The wind from the sea was so cold that I wished I had a light over-coat. A refreshing bath. Returned to city per 11:05 a.m. train.
86
Called on her at 9 p.m. A good meeting.
88
21st. Tuesday. Beautiful.
89
Went to Station 7:30 a.m. to see her(without her knowing it) leave Seoul with her daughter for Chinnampo per 8:10 north bound train. She is certainly pretty and smart when dressed up.
90
4 p.m. we had a family reunion to celebrate the memorial day of our father.
92
22nd. Wednesday. Beautiful.
93
Per 6:50 a.m. train I and 璋善 went to On Yang to pay our respect to father and mother's grave. Left the Hot Springs at 5:30 p.m. (schedule 4:35) but had to wait over two hours in the filthy waiting room of Chun-An Station to catch the belated train for Seoul. Leaving Chun-An at 8 p.m. (schedule 7:05) reached home at 11.
95
23rd. Thursday. Lovely.
96
From 8 to 11:30 a.m. read 三國誌 at 翠雲亭.
97
Luncheon at 中樞院 as usual.
98
Every Thursday from a dozen to a score of these councilors so called, come to 中樞院. They spend an hour or two in chatting and smoking. I wish the Governor would utilize these men by letting them discuss and dispute on those things which affects the interests of Korean farmers, labors and students and present opinions to the powers that be. This gaging the people is one of the worst Hitler and Stalin curses that have struck Japan.
100
24th. Friday. Cloudy and some rain in the morning.
101
From 7 to 10 a.m. read 三國誌 at 翠雲亭.
103
25th. Saturday. Beautiful.
104
Went to Ewha College at 9 to see the graduating exercises. Our 寶姬 received the honorary certificate testifying that she had kept the highest record in her class for the last four years. How I wished our 梅麗 could have shared our joy. That thought made 寶姬 cry and cry.
105
At 11 called on Mr. 李萬珪 who had returned home a few days from Hong Won where he has been detained in the Police Station for 11 months on charge of harboring dangerous thoughts.
107
26th. Sunday. Cloudy a.m.
108
From 7:30 to 11 read 三國誌 at 翠雲亭 home.
110
27th. Monday. Rain early morning.
111
Went to 月尾島 sea-water hot bath per 7:25 train. From the 21st June to this day I have made 14 trips to the sea-water hot bath. During the dreadful dry hot months these trips have proved a boon to my health I thank God for it. Returned to Seoul per 11:05 p.m. train.
112
璋善's wife gave birth to a girl at 1:45 p.m. I have decided to call her 福童 for childhood name because my beloved Maria 梅麗, when she heard 世順 became pregnant said in her sick bed “福童이나 하나나라” (Give birth to a child of blessing)
114
28th. Tuesday. Beautiful.
115
Yesterday afternoon called on 時善 who had known Sook Kyong in Tokyo 15 years ago. She said Sook Kyong was very pretty and intelligent and quiet yet ambitious. For 2 years they were intimate chums. Since they returned to Korea they only met casually so that 時善 couldn't give no information as to what her friend has been during the last 15 years.
116
Called on 淑女 at 8 p.m. At 4 p.m. we held an Encouragement Meeting(壯行會) for the 29 boys who had volunteered for the Navy(海洋志願兵) .
118
29th. Wednesday. Bright a.m. Part cloudy p.m.
119
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. attended the 內鮮滿□連絡强化懇談會 held in the First Conference Room in the Government General Building.
121
30th. Thursday. Rain from 8 to 12 noon. (癸未 九月 二日)
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