Wartixe on Corean affairs a short time ago, we termed the proposed mission to foreign Courts and Governments mischievous, and to this exception has been taken by a Correspondent who has recently pleaded for the independence of the country in our columns. We used the term because we thought the King was acting imprudently in forcing to the front a question—that of his independence of China—which it was for his interest should remain undisturbed. It is a matter that can be left alone in the meantime; and it is one of these questions which might very well stir up others and so lead to unfortunate results for the Kingdom. The King and his advisers should apply themselves to practical subjects, such as the development of the country, and thereby render it somewhat capable of defending its rights. It is said as a reply to this that the Chinese Resident Yuen has thwarted the efforts made in this direction by the King and his advisers. But there is more alleged against the Resident than his throwing impediments in the way of trade and commerce. He is under strong suspicion in Corea of intriguing against. the King with the object of placing a youth on the throne who would be a mere puppet of China, The present King or the Queen, have, he thinks, shown too much independence in late years. If this report is true—everything that comes from Corea should be received with reserve—actual danger to foreigners in the Capital may easily arise, as the Coreans are greatly attached to their King whose weakness and indolence is national, and therefore does not injure him in their estimation, China will incur a grave responsibility if she upsets the present condition of affairs in Seoul, which may not be satisfactory to her or to the Coreans. But it will be better to allow the King and his Cabinet to work out their own reforms in their own way than to let loose political passion, The King and his ministers may have been extra~ vacant and negligent, but it should be remembered that they know very little of the world and are probably as readily attracted by novelties as the. Japanese daimios and people were when their country was opened to foreign trade. The Coreans have much to learn, and we are told that they are slowly learning. Anything of a revolutionary character in Seoul would inflame the mass of the Corean people against China, and would give Russia and Japan the occasion which some people say they are waiting for, while no one would be surprised if the greater liberty which has quite lately been extended to the French priests—who are again allowed to appear in the dress of their religious orders—brought them into the field as active agents in the interests of France. This is what they are everywhere in the East.
'The writer who has been championing the independence of Corea in our columns, assails the conduct and policy of the Chinese Resident in unmeasured terms. He asks, that Corea should be completely freed' from the suzerainty, domination, or even the advice of China, His argument is that China has no right of suzerainty in Corea, and has not really had this for two centuries, But although China left Corea pretty nearly alone until within the last few years, we are not aware that the vassalage of the latter was ever set aside. A Correspondent, whose ability to speak on the subject' is undoubted, pointed out in our columns a few mouths ago that at the end of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth centuries the sanction of the Chinese Emperor had to be obtained before the successor chosen by the King of Corea got the title of heir-apparent, and on succeeding to the throne could not assume the title of King until it had been conferred on him by Peking. The same submission has since been exacted and yielded and the annual tribute has continued to be sent to Peking, much to the profit of the Corean envoys. China has however been careless or contemptuous in her dealings with Corea, and her ministers once told the Americans that they might deal with Corea in any way' they pleased, and disclaimed all responsibility for the acts of the vassal state. And when the treaty-making period came, a few years ago, Admiral Shufeldt, in concluding the first of these instruments, acknowle' as far as in him lay, the suzerainty of China over Corea. The treaty which he
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.