Page:The passing of Korea.djvu/443

 person of the King and before his eyes slaughtered seven members of his Cabinet and one of his most trusted personal servants. The Japanese, who backed this desperate and sanguinary enterprise, had to retire, and things went on as before; but what sort of training was this for a young King just entering upon his reign? It is only to be wondered at that his nerves survived the strain at all. In 1895 occurred the unspeakable monstrosity of the cold-blooded murder of the Queen at the instigation of the Japanese minister, when the regent, rioting in fierce joy of a borrowed power, saw the fruition of his long desire. All during that terrible time the King lived in momentary dread of assassination. And who can wonder? Did not every circumstance in the case warrant his fear of sudden death. He was surrounded by a Cabinet composed of men thoroughly in the hands of Japan, and was virtually a prisoner. For weeks he refused to eat a mouthful of food except what was sent in a locked box from the house of an American missionary, such was his fear of poison. Finally the strain became too great. He could endure the suspense no longer. After trying in vain to secure asylum in the American legation, he threw himself into the arms of Russia by a secret flight from the palace. For a time he had rest in the Russian legation, where, be it said to the lasting credit of Mr. Waeber, no pressure was brought to bear upon him to give Russia predominant power in the peninsula. Doubtless this was why Mr. Waeber was removed to make room for a more strenuous man. He was too good for Russia. This situation could not continue indefinitely, but the King would not go back to his old palace which had witnessed such a tragedy. He built a smaller one in the vicinity of the foreign legation, where he would be near help in case of trouble.

His nerves had been hopelessly shattered. Originally a man of ordinary ability, the scenes through which he had passed had stamped their impress upon him, and he had come to believe that craft was the only available instrument to use. When Mr. Waeber was superseded by a less scrupulous man, the