A STRANGE CONFESSION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3581, 3 January 1883, Page 4

A STRANGE CONFESSION.

The following is the remarkable proclamation which the King of Corea recently issued - most probably, we should say, under compulsion: " Being devoid of virtue. I have occupied the throne in a disorderly manner for 19 years. As I neglected justice, the public administration has lost the confidence of the people, who have therefore become discontented. I alone am responsible for these scandals. Disasters have accumulated upon me, but I invited them. I repent of my laxity, but, alas, too late. Since my accession I have exacted heavy taxes in order to gratify my taste for erecting buildings, thus reducing the people to poverty. In that I have sinned. I have frequently debased the standards of value, and put to death many innocent people. I confess my wickedness. I have sinned in destroying the temples and neglecting to reverence the sages. I have sinned in neglecting the administration of public affairs. I have sinned in heeding the supplications of flatterers, and wasting money on them. I have sinned in neglecting to employ able ministers, and transferring my powers to an incompetent sell-seeking-clique. Through mv faults the reverence due to the throne has been lost. Through my fault bribery has been open and scandalous criminals have escaped with immunity, and the distress of the people has been ignored. Through my fault, although foreign intercourse was commenced at the appointed time, affairs have been mismanaged, and ill-feeling caused. At last the anger of the gods was aroused, and my people hated me. Hundreds of troubles occurred, the people disregarded the royal edicts, and members of the Royal Family were insulted. It has been my crime that, these matters have troubled the mind of the Emperor, and disturbed the tranquility of the nation. Through my fault, the country has lost the friendship of the neighboring states, and become a laughing slock. Alas ! I am ashamed to show myself before my vassals or my subjects. l am ashamed to occupy the throne I have hitherto so unworthily filled. Pardon my manifold transgressions, as I am now determined to amend. I cancel all laws unsuitable to the people. I intend to choose able Ministers in future, so that the country will be properly governed. I desire my people to join with me in restoring the national prosperity. The Imperial soldiers have quelled the recent disorders, and now, in order to make amends for my errors, I hereby order the release of all prisoners improperly kept in custody. As I am anxious to save the country I publish this edict."'