A GRUESOME MONUMENT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4307, 22 August 1921, Page 4

A GRUESOME MONUMENT

A GRUESOME MONUMENT.

I myself saw at Kyoto in Japan what is called The Earmound, a huge mound of earth beneath which lie buried over 200,000 human ears which were cut off, carried away from Korea, and buried on this spot —a gruesome monument of ruthless cruelty and slaughter. 'So unspeakably cruel was the invasion,- that though 3330 years have passed away it is still remembered and spoken of with horror. HISTORY OF THE ANNEXATION. Korea was for centuries far ahead of Japan in civilisation. Japan owed hei' knowledge of writing and literature to Korea. Korean scholars, including hundreds of educated, refined women, entered Japan and ■taught. It is remarkable that for 500 years literature in Japan was almost monopolised by women. Japanese potteries and other arts owe their existence to Korean teachers. As late as the 18 th century the Korean people were described as “of a sweet disposition,, delighting in learning, music, dancing.” Theft and.adultery were almost unknown, so that there was no need to ! shut the street doors at night. . As late as 30 years ago, however, Korea was still a hermit kingdom, resolutely shut off from the outside world. Even Chinamen who crossed the Yalu River were beheaded.' In the latter -half of the 18th century some Korean scholars’ came under the influence of the Christian missionaries, at Pekin and started a campaign for the conversion of their native country. They met, however, with bitter opposition and persecution. But various other efforts on the part of the Christian Church followed, until in 1860 the native Christians numbered about .20,000. The Government of. the day, however, determined to stamp Christianity out, and nearly succeeded in doing so. Then the Christian Powers began to protest, and in this way becaipe interested in the Korean kingdom. In the seventies a change began to take place in the relations of Korea with other countries, and the King favoured the admission of foreigners, but the Regent, an abler man, was bitterly opposed to it. Then came

a long struggle between these two, until China, as tjie Suzerain Power, had to interfere for the protection of foreigners. The Japanese also found an excuse for interference, and planted outposts throughout the country. In 1882 the country suffered from drought and famine, and the* Regent seized the opportunity to Renounce the admission of foreigners as the caluse. Terrible massacres followed and some Japanese were killed, which again strengthened Japan’s hold on the country. To defend herself against the machinations of her neighbour, Korea made treaties with the European Powers, so in 1883-4, foreigners began to arrive, engaging in trade and missionary work on a large scale. Europeanisation began. k Then in 1894 new troubles arose, popular risings and massacres took jplace, and both Japanese and Chinese troops poured into the country to protect the capital. On this occasion Japan definitely declined to recognise the sovereignty of ’ China. The Chino-Japanese war ensued, with known results; China’s fleet

was blown up, her army destroyed,

Japan obtained undisputed possession of Seoul, and the King was held prisoner in his palace—Japan representing to the Powers that her occupation was only temporary and that she had no intention of intering with Korea’s independence! Nevertheless she took the administration into her own hands, and foolishly instituted sumptuary laws, as to the size._of men’s hats, the length of their hair, the length of sleeves, and even ordered the topknot (the Korean side of manhood) to be cut off. These tyrannical ordinances alienated and enraged the people, as perhaps they meant to do. Then in 1895 it became clear that Japan meant to absorb the commerce of Korea, obtaining monopolies against which foreign representatives protested in vain. The Japanese/ became violent, cheating, lying, insulting the people, beating them until the Japanese Minister, Count Inouye, himself protested.

MURDER OF THE QUEEN.

The Japanese then killed and burned the Queen, took the King prisoner,, and placed the old proJapanese Regent in power. Then all the great Powers began to take in interest in the fortunes of Korea, Russia “and Japan taking the lead, first one and then, the other being paramount. At this period Korea became favourable to (the missijonaries, and begged American aid. Schools, hospitals, and missions were started, and the missionaries met with wonderful success, exerting a profound influence upon the people. But the King was weak, and the Government corrupt; ,indeed it is mainly to the weakness and corruption of hex’ old national administration that Korea owes the loss of her independence. The opening of the Twentieth Century found Japan and Russia struggling for the mastery of the East. Russia’s actions in the East —the drunken orgies; of her officers and officials, and her attempts to' keep out other • traders from Manchuria, had impressed England and Afnerica unfavourably, and in 1902 Japan secured an alliance with England which recognised amongst othei’ things, the entird independence of Korea, and abstinence from interfering in her internal affairs. Then" Japan began to make great naval and military preparations. Russia disregarded England and America; Japan placated them. Then as soon as her preparations were completed, the latter Power made impossible demands on Russia, and drew her into the war .of 1904, declaring that her purpose was to maintain , the independence and teritorial integrity of Korea, and the policy of the open door. In the same year Korea agreed, under pressure, to engage Japanese financial and diplomatic advisers. At first the Japanese treated the Koreans well and were much liked, but as victory after victory foUqwed their arms they began to act in a tyrannical and cruel manner. They seized the administration and exercised the powers of Government. The Russians had given great offence by meddling with the Korean women, but now 20,000 Japanese coolies' came in, outraging, robbing, and murdering with impunity. Vast tracts of country were taken up in the excuse of paltry payments. The British and American representatives protesting, the Japanese got them recalled—surely a disgrace to their respective Governments. By 1905 it was clear that notwithstanding all her protestations Japan intended to annex Korea in her own dominions. America had o engaged in the treaty of 1882" to assist Korea, but in Korea’s hour of need failed her. In 1907 the Japanese made a great show of forcing Seoul and compelled the King to sign a treaty ceding the powers of Government to Japan, subsesquently deposing the King and setting up his. so. It was again declared, however, that Japan Had no intention to annex the country. But in 1910 all .disguise was thrown off, and Korea formally annexed ,to the Japanese Empire by decree of the Emperor. The results of the I shall describe in my next article.