The Korean Repository. Weekly Edition. Vol. I. No. XVI. Thursday, MAY 25, 1899. CONFUCIANISM REVIVED. The following edict has been issued and posted through out the city. From it we gather that Mr. Sin Kison and his party are in a wailing mood. If Mr. Sin would face the present instead of the past, if he would set his fertile mind to grapple with the problem of finance rather than decay of an out-of-date cult, it would go farther to revive confidence than a hundred Jeremiads like the following: EDICT. Among all the nations of this world there is not on which does not follow the precepts of its honorable and venerated State Religion for a State Religion comes into existence for the pose of purifying the minds of men and bringing their actions under government. Why is it that the State Religion of our nation is not in high esteem and is fruitless? Is not our State Religion the cult of Confucius? Whang-chei and Yo-sun inherited the divine commands and rose to the highest pinnacle. Woo-tong, Mun-mu, and Chu-kong were the heirs of complete and holy doctrines, and the divine precepts. Then the Master(Confucius) the possessor of the secrets of the universe, who gathered together the teachings of the sages. And his precepts relate to father and son, king and courtier, husband and wife, elder and junior, friend and friend, and his writings were the books of Odes, History, Changes, Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals. The chief thoughts of these books are the illumination of virtue and the renewal of the people. They teach physics, philosophy, morals, psychology, cleanliness of person, order in family, administration of the nation, and the peace of the universe. A literature for all beings and myriads of generations to follow! Outside this religion there are no men and no nations, and as the kings and courtiers of history were faithful to it, villains and traitors stood in mortal terror in their schemes. Then follows a reference to the labors of the various sages of no particular interest after which the rise of the cult in Korea is introduced as follows: In the time of Kija the foundation was laid and in the time of the Samhan it fell into disuse, for the customs of the people were unclean and the doctrine became extinguished. * * * * * * * * How comes it then the present times have abandoned that begun so long ago and daily falling away from it, exercise themselves in it with lips and ears only but with their bodies and their hearts serve a literature of folly, darkening the only science which is real? Even the books of the State Religion are disappearing. If the odes are unsung the schools cannot hear. The holy writings lie abandoned on our desks; officials know only themselves, not the king; the sorrow of the literati is their inability to obtain office; and the waves of covetousness roll high to the very heavens, and every doctrine sweeps the earth; ceremony is in ruins and the precepts lie wounded, and change daily develops and villainous traitors follow in each others foot steps finding a climax in the affair of year eulmi(1895). Alas is not this the disaster following on the abandonment of the State Religion? Reason dictates that administration should follow disturbance, and restoration should follow trouble. We have inherited the work of our ancestors and ascended the Throne of kings and saints and thro a hundred troubles and a thousand fears, our one thought has been to establish the State Religion. Our sad thought has been that We might be able to stem the flood and change its drift. The brilliant learning of the Crown Prince was early manifested and daily his scholarship has advanced so that from now on We and the crown Prince assume the chief supervisor ship of the Confucian cult, and illuminating the religion of Kija and Confucius, will bring to pass the will of our royal fathers. Therefore, all ye officials with care announce this; follow the precepts of the religion and yourselves lead those beneath you. Exalt the rites and teachings, support the customs and achieve a reputation by your earnestness, and increase everywhere devotion to the rites many fold. Use the Confucian Temple College for the development of scholars and scholarship. The decree ends up with a few general directions relative to the organization of the Son bi (Literati). CORRESPONDENCE. 【The following communication from Mr. Morsel is given to the public without editing this time and this paper does not assume any responsibility for its contents.】 CHEMULPO, 12th May 1899. THE EDITOR KOREAN REPOSITORY. DEAR SIR:- As I See an article in your issue of the 4th: May from some Cor- respondent hear about the Land trouble, I am obliged to ask again to favour me with Space in your Paper, as I would like to Correct the Gentlemen about “Japanese bought a piece of land with four Houses three years ago”, I have always through life made it a point to Stick to the truth and Shame the devil, its true; I have not found that truth is appreciated and usually has been a loss, and yet! I hold to the Principle that in the long run truth bound to Come out best. I wrote in my article of the 26th: Ultimo that the land over which some trouble here took place as belonging to a European, now this Same European is I am the undersigned, and there for the most Interested in the matter Specially the matters is now before the Foreign office at Berlin where a Protocol as laid down by my self in 1898, I have Kept good watch an all Proceedings both between the China Consul in 1892, and Kamni at that time and Since the end of 1896 between the ----------------------------------- Transatlantic Fire Insurance Co., Hamburg. Imperial Insurance Co., Ltd, London New York Life Insurance Co., New York. Union Insurance Society of Canton, Ltd. Yagtsze Insurance Association Ltd. The undersigned agents for the above are prepared to accept risks at current rates. E. MEYER & CO., CHEMULPO. --------------------------------- Japanese Okowara and the Korean officials Since then in office, I found that in my former letter you for some reason or other left out the Proceedings of the Chinese Consul in 1892., and that a false Sale of part of this piece of land was Contracted between him and the Kamni, and when the farmer with an armed Police force went to take away my Boundary stones and placed in his own, I think this quite of Important that such matters should be brought before the Public and specially as I the undersigned take all responsibility for what I write, beside the matters at the time was by me fully reported to the German Consulate. I am Coming now to the other matter the “Purchase of a piece of land and four Houses” in 1895 Mr. Okura lent money to a Korean living in a House on my property, an the northern end, the amount loan was 150,000 Cash, the loan Coming true, and money not Coming forward, Mr Okura foreclose the mortgage and Size the House, Mr. Okura Knew as did a lot of other Japanese already many years that the land was mine, and that the Houses on it were only Squatters yet he took the House, and also thought he had a right to the land in Autumn 1896 as I came from Japan I found Mr. Okura had began to build a House and removed two of my Boundary Stones having my Initials, I applied to Mr. Ishie the Japanese Consul here, asking him to have the Building Stopped, the Consul was good enough and Called Mr. Okura, who on being Interrogated said he had a Title deed, I asked If he was able to show it, on which he produced a deed Knowing here as a “House deed” my Interpreter at once made the Consul aware that it was no Title deed for land that the deed was a Tax deed for House taxes payable to the Kamnie in gave the House in Kank how build and what Roof value of the Home and plainly Stated no Ground. The Consul however took no steps to Stop Mr. Okura from farther building, and as Mr. Okura got remboldunt by his Success he togethers with Kim Chu-a took the decisive Step totally take the whole after I had left for Europe, In comparing the fore going I got a certificate from the Owner of the House or Houses, that he Knew very well that the Ground was mine, and the House only was let the money on. Farther more, Since the high handed act of Mr. Okura has taken place, the Very Korean-on the Ground, and on which their House and personal effects was will fully destroyed by a Hard of Japanese between Midnight and dawn on the 21st Ultimo and of which hard Mr. Okura was the leader, I said the very Koreans Sent to me a deputation and expressed their Sympathy that I the right full owner had been all this years deprived of my right, and said. If I had taken the step the Japanese took who have no right at all, they would not have to say much as I Hence after patiently waiting so many years would be in the right to take my own. I told the deputation that a European should not allow himself to take such a high handed step, that we Europeans had to abide by the law and obtain our sights only by law and not like Robbers at night. Such is the truth of the Japanese as said having some three years ago bought land and four Houses, this Japanese whose name was not given by yan Correspondent and Mr Okura are one and the Same. Thanking you for giving the truth of it all to the Public. I beg to remain Respectively. F. H. MORSEL. ---FOR SALE AT A REDUCTION. One best grade American baby carriage. Has not yet been unpacked. W. O. JOHNSON, M. D., FUSAN. ------------------------------ R. UCHIDA. No. 11 General Foreign Settlement, CHEMULPO. The undersigned begs to inform the public that he has resigned from the engineering work of the S. C. R. R. and has opened an establishment at the above address, where he is prepared to receive orders as Contractor of Building Construction; Overseer of Building Construction; Surveyor, Designer; also furnishes plans or sketches of all descriptions connected with above. I also beg to state that my long experience will insure full satisfaction to the public and I respectfully solicit their patronage and support. R. UCHIDA. ------------------------------ NOTICE. I beg to notify the public that I have taken over the store kept by Mr. J. Gaillard Jne. and I take this opportunity to solicit the continuance of their patronage. J. T. GIACINTI. CHEMULPO No.16-4 THE KOREAN REPOSITORY. Weekly Edition. PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY. ------------------------------- H. G. APPENZELLER, GEO. HEBER JONES,         EDITORS. GEORGE C. COBB        BUSINESS MANAGER --------------------------------------- SUBSCRIPTION RATES. Single copy        Ten sen Per month        Thirty sen POSTAGE EXTRA. ADVERTISING RATES. Displayed Ad-One inch-            Single Issue            Yen 1.00     One month            Yen 2.00 Reading Notices-Per line-     Single Issue            25 sen        Each subsequent Issue        15 sen --------------------------- The long drought is creating deep and widespread concern among the people. The farmer looks upon his parched rice-fields and sees famine ahead of him. The wells in the city are running dry and there is no little anxiety in this respect. The cause for the lack of the spring rains which usually come towards the end of April or the beginning of May is attributed to the telegraph and electric wires which shut off the influence and connection with the clouds. This was whispered at first; then came the report that the wires would be taken down if it did not rain before the end of the moon: today May 23d the rumor was circulated, tho we do not believe it, that the order for the removal of the electric wires had already been given. H. M. S. Brisk which has lately arrived on the China station from England visited the Port on Thursday last for the purpose of withdrawing the British Marine Guard which has been stationed here since last November. The captain of the Brisk and several of the officers visited the city and points of interest, being surprised at the situation of Seoul in such a low valley and so easy of attack. The guard have earned high praise from every one for their exemplary conduct during the time they have been here and they received quite a nice send off from their friends on Thursday evening. The whole party left for Chemulpo by the river steamer on Friday. Immediately upon their arrival on board the Brisk, she put to sea as she had on board the mail for the fleet at Wei-hai-wei. It is now conclusively demonstrated that the most delightful occupation of the average Korean at this time of the year is to spend the day in chasing a cooling shadow around a tree! EDITOR... One thing more in Seoul-riding on the street car.-M. * WEDDING BELLS. The wedding of Rev. S. A. Moffett and Miss M. Alice Fish is announced for June 1. The ceremony will be performed at the home of Miss Doty.(Susan A.) The bride and groom accompanied by a few friends arrived from Pyeng-yang on the 23d inst. * The electric cars are running with more or less regularity. Koreans are enjoying the novelty and we are creditably informed that one man rode and rode until he had used up two dollars. The fare from gate to gate is ten sen: and to the Queen’s tomb fifteen sen. Bishop Cranston preached a sermon of great power in the Paichai school chapel last Sunday afternoon. The Bishop and his daughter left Seoul for HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI China on the 23d. Mrs. Underwood whose illness we reported some time ago is not improving as was hoped. She left her summer home at the river and will try a sea voyage, going as far as Vladivostok. * M. A. Cremoulet, vice president of France in Annam and Tonkin, and Commissaire Adjoint de la Coree a Exposition de 1900, is in town. * Prof. Hulbert of the Normal School has an article of unusual interest on “Korea and the Koreans” in the April number of the Forum. * We learn that the fare on the street railroad from the West gate to the East gate is ten sen first class and six sen second class. DENTAL NOTICE. DR. SLADE, being unable to prolong his visit in Seoul sufficiently to attend to all patients, desires to state that he will endeavour to visit Seoul professionally in the autumn in connection with his semi-annual Nagasaki trip. --------------------------------- Trilingual Now On Hand     A Large Invoice of ENVELOPES LARGE, MEDIUM, SMALL. -------------------------------- HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI Banking Corporation. ------------------- PAID-UP CAPITAL         $10,000,000 RES VE FUND            £1,000,000, Ex. 2s, $10,000,000 RESERVE LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS         $10,000,000 Interest allowed on CURRENT ACCOUNT at 2 per cent. on Daily Balance over Yen 500. Money will be received on FIXED DEPOSIT on the following terms:- For 12 months at 5 per cent per annum; for 6 months at 4 per cent per annum; for 3 months at 3 per cent per annum. CHEMULPO AGENTS Holme, Ringer & Company. ------------------------------------ HOLME RINGER & CO. AGENTS BY APPOINTMENT Representing Russian Steam Navigation in the last. Canadian Pacific Royal Mail Steam ship Company. Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Occidental & Oriental Steamship Company. Northern Pacific Steamship Company. ------------------------- Union Insurance Society of Canton. (Marine) Yangtze Insurance (Marine.) Royal Exchange Assurance. (Fire) Law Union & Crown Fire Insurance Co. The Standard Life Assurance Co. CHEMULPO, KOREA. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (From Other Papers.) Quay Exhonerated. A Philadelphia despatch of April 24th gives the information that United States Senator Matthew S. Quay was acquitted of the charge of bank wrecking on Saturday. The senator, who was one of the officers of the bank, was accused of borrowing enormous sums of money from the bank, giving as security nothing but his personal note. The trial of the case was commenced two weeks ago, and has excited great attention. When the verdict was returned the senator received the congratulations of his friends. Convicted of Cowardice. New York, April 25.- The general court-martial which has been investigating the cases against Colonel Smith, Major Whittle, and Captain Austin, of the 71st New York Infantry, who were charged with cowardice at the battle of San Juan, have returned a verdict finding the defendants guilty and recommending that they be expelled from the service. Italy and China On May 3rd word was received that the Italian cabinet had resigned. Premier Pellaux stated that the debate on Chinese affairs showed that a large majority of members were opposed to the government's policy, and that consequently it was futile to prolong a discussion which might impair Italian prestige. A despatch from Saigon states that the Italian Ministry resigned, fearing that Parliament would demand the withdrawal of the Italian men-of-war from China. On the 13 the word came that M. Pelloux had formed a new Cabinet with himself as President and Minister of the Interior, and Visconti Venosta as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Federation Succeeds. London, May 6.- The Federal referendum in South Australia has resulted in 65,000 for and 17,000 against federation. The Transvaal. A London despatch of the 6th says it is believed that the dynamite monopoly question of the Transvaal has become acute, Mr. Chamberlain viewing it as a breach of the convention. A petition, purporting to be signed by some 9,000 Uitlanders, has been presented to Mr. Krueger, denying the grievances recited in the British petition. Another despatch of the 8th states that the London Chronicle learns that, although no ultimatum or threat thereof has yet been sent to Pretoria, Mr. Chamberlain's dispatches are uncompromising both in tone and temper and show a distinct intonation that the Government intends to compel the settlement of the Uitlanders’ grievances even at the risk of war. The Morning Post’s correspondent at Johannesburg states it is the general opin ion there that a grave crisis is impending. A number of families and some prominent men are preparing to quit the town. All the Boers have been warned to hold themselves in readiness for any emergency. On the 11th it was reported that anxiety at Johannesburg had been allayed, owing to a report that Sir Alfred Miner (Governor of Cape Colony) and President Kruger are to meet at Bloemfontein. A London dispatch of the 16th says that a sensation has been caused in South Africa and in London by the arrest at Johannesburg of seven former British officers, on the charge of inciting to treason by the enrolment of men for the purpose of rebellion. The officers have been conveyed to Pretoria Gaol, where the British agent has visited them. American Railroad Accident. An excursion train was dashed into by an express train at Exeter on the Philadelphia-Reading railroad. Thirty-four persons were killed and forty injured. Anglo-Russian Agreement On May 7th news was received that the Anglo-Russian agreement had been published. According to one of its stipulations the rights obtained under the Newchwang loan contract will in nowise be infringed, but it is well understood that the railway will remain in the hands of the Chinese. London, May 15- In the House of Commons Mr. Brodrick (Under Secretary of State) stated that until the full facts of the Russian demand to connect the Man churian railway system direct with Peking are laid before the Government, no announcement on the subject will be made. The Times says that the demand of Russia directly tends to frustrate the object of the recent agreement, namely, the avoidance of any cause of conflict. British trade in China rests on British power, and the prestage of both is very seriously endangered by Russia's action. French Minister Resigns. Despatches on the 7th announced that M. Freycinet, the French Minister of War, has resigned on account of being hooted in the French Chamber, while defending the Governor of the Military College, who was suspended for being an alleged Dreyfusite. Professor Kants, Minister of Public Works, succeeds M. Freycinet. The Dreyfus Judgment. A dispatch of the 11th says that on Monday, 29th of May, the Court of Cassa- tion will commence the public hearing of the revision of the Dreyfus case. The arguments will probably extend over four sittings, and judgment will be delivered on the following Friday or Saturday. The Soudan. London, May 10, Lord George Hamilton, in the House of Commons, fully ex- plained the circumstances whereby a Philadelphia firm secured the contract to build the Goktieh viaduct. He expressed regret that it was not the first contract showing marked difference between American and British tenders. Lord Kitchener has given notice of the opening of the Soudan in September next to all traders and settlers. Foreign goods without distinction will be admitted free. London, May 13. The French Chamber has approved of the Convention between Great Britain and France relating to Africa. The English Clergy. London despatches dated May 7 state that the English government has given notice of an amendment to the Private Members Bill enforcing church discipline to the effect that if the present efforts of the Episcopacy to secure the obedience of the clergy are ineffectual, further legislation will be required. London, May 11th- The Church Discipline Bill has been rejected in the House of Commons by 310 against 156 votes. An amendment by the Government has been adopted. THE PHILIPPINES. It begins to look as it the Filipinos were getting tired of their struggle. We quote from the Nagasaki Press as follows: From Manila papers it is learned that the second visit of the Filipino Commissioners was made on the 3rd inst. It was more productive of surprises than the first one on Friday, 28th ult., when they asked for a suspension of hostilities until Congress could be convened and the will of the people ascertained peace or war. They came from General Luna with authority to negotiate for peace. General Otis flatly refused any armistice or suspension of hostilities. Not satisfied with being refused an armistice of three weeks, they came back with a new proposition asking for a complete cessation of hostilities in the “entire archipelago” for a period of three months. A little questioning promptly elicited the confession that the Filipinos did not claim active sovereignty over all the islands, but they believed it only a matter of time until all islands of the group would acknowledge the Filipino supremacy, and in the meantime they apparently wished an opportunity to thoroughly canvas the country and learn the disposition of the people. It is indeed a splendid scheme for Filipino. Needless to say the proposition was not entertained. After the morning conference guinaldo's envoys visited the American commissioners in the Audiencia and spent two hours in discussing the situation. Shortly before noon the next morning, Colonel Arguelles and a captain on Luna’s passed into the American lines near Calumpit and were taken to the headquarters of General McArthur, on the south bunk of the Rio Grande. They were surprised to see General MacArthur alive, as it was believed that he was killed. After an interview of half an hour they proceede to Manila on the noon train in company with Major Mallory and Major Shiel is. They were met at the depot by Lieutenant Sladen, A. D. C.(Aide-de-camp) of General Otis, and later on visited the Ayuntamiento, where a conference was held with General Otis. Later the Commissioners visited President Schurman and spent two hours in discussing the situation. In a short conversation with Colonel Arguelles it was learned that the Filipinos as a body were willing to surrender, but they wished to hold their congress before giving a final answer. They desired to negotiate before laying down their arms, which proposition, however, is just what General Otis will not entertain. It is the general impression that some new proposition has been tendered by Aguinaldo. The exchange of prisoners is also being considered. It is understood that the first proposition of the Commissioners has been modified and changed according to suggestions received during the last visit to Manila. This time they came direct from Aguinaldo. No agreement has yet been arrived at, and the Filipinos have not surrendered, but it is expected that they will do so at an early date. One of the hardest fought battles or series of engagements of the war was fought on the 27th of April with a complete victory for the Government forces. The Kansas volunteer troops distinguished themselves for great bravery. Insurgent forces who took the field numbered fully 2,000. Since then the American generals have scoured the whole country for many miles dispersing the rebel forces completely in that section. -------- FOR RENT Summer Residence with six rooms and large verandas on the banks of the Han river three and a half miles from Seoul. The property is over 100 feet above the water level. Apply to GEORGE C. COBB, Trilingual Press, Soul. --------- The China Mail in a dispatch from Manila on the 9th says: Gonzales has been elected Premier of the Filipino Republican Government in succession to Apolinario Mabini. It is believed that this will lead to a more reasonable policy on the part of the Filipinos, as Gonzales has the reputation of possessing common sense and is less inflated than his predecessor in office. Yesterday the river gunboats cleared of rebels the whole of the delta land in the Bulacan river as far as Guagua, where a depot camp was established by the United States troops. Information is brought in that the rebel forces are concentrating in strength in the Province of Nueva Excija in the mountains, and the operations of the American troops will now be conducted in that direction. --------- The commission appointed in 1889, by the Pan-American conference to arrange for a survey of a possible railway from the terminus of the Mexican Southern thru South America as far as Argentina reported officially in February to President McKinley. The report consists of seven volumes in printed form and is favorable to the project of back boning the western hemisphere by a trunk line from New York to Buenos Ayres. WANTED. A saddle-horse, saddle and bridle. Write L. T., care W. H. Emberley.