to conclude a treaty with her, and in making that treaty we guaranteed to keep a watchful eye upon her safety and interests. For twenty-five years American representatives and other residents in Korea reiterated the statement that we stood for the "square deal," for the ascendency of right as against mere brute force, and Korea had a right to regard our government as the one above all others which would demur at any encroachment upon her independence. But when the time of difficulty approached and America's disinterested friendship was to be called upon to prove the genuineness of its oft-repeated protestations, we deserted her with such celerity, such coldheartedness and such a refinement of contempt that the blood of every decent American citizen in Korea boiled with indignation. While the most loyal, cultured and patriotic Koreans were committing suicide one after the other because they would not survive the death of their country, the American Minister was toasting the perpetrators of the outrage in bumpers of champagne ; utterly callous to the death throes of an empire which had treated American citizens with a courtesy and consideration they had enjoyed in no other Oriental country.
How can we, the American people, prove to the Koreans that we were not accessory to this act which was so contrary to the principles we have professed to hold? There is only one way, - by helping them to the one thing that will enable them to hold together as a nation, and give them time and opportunity to prove the falsity of the libellous statements that have been so freely circulated, and which have temporarily alienated the goodwill of so many of our people. That one thing is education. The Koreans have awakened to the fact that this, which should have been their first consideration many years ago, is now their last resort, and they are clamouring for education. I believe there are thousands of Koreans who will open their purses and subscribe generously to the funds required for this great work. Much is already being done by the various missions, but it is necessarily circumscribed and cramped by the lack of funds.
