The young Koreans who were given power as Ministers and Advisers after the Monarch escaped from Japanese control were anxious to promote reform and education, and to introduce some plan of popular administration.  They were aided by one British official, Mr. (now Sir John) McLeavy Brown.  Mr. Brown, trained in the Chinese Customs Service, was given charge of the Korean Treasury and Customs, at the instigation of the British Government.  It was hoped that this appointment indicated that the British Government would take a more active interest in Korean affairs.  Unfortunately Korea was far away, and the prevailing idea in England at the time was to escape any more over-seas burdens.

Mr. Brown was the terror of all men who regarded the national treasure chest as the plunder box.  Even the King found his extravagance checked, and Imperial schemes were delayed and turned from mere wasteful squanderings to some good purpose.  When, for example, the Emperor announced his determination to build a great new memorial palace to the late Queen, Mr. Brown pointed out that the first thing to do was to build a fine road to the spot.  The road was built, to the permanent gain of the nation, and the palatial memorial waited.  Old debts were paid off.  The nation was making money and saving.

A national economist always arouses many foes.  The popular man is the man who spends freely.  Officials who found their own gains limited and the sinecure posts for their relatives cut down united against the British guardian of the purse.  Just about this time Russian control was changed.  M. Waeber left Seoul, to the universal regret of all who knew him, and was succeeded by M. de Speyer, who displayed the most aggressive aspects of the Russian expansionist movement.  A Russian official was appointed Mr. Brown’s successor and for a beginning doubled the salaries of the Korean office holders.  This brought many of the Korean office holders in line against Mr. Brown.  The latter held on to his office despite the appointment of the Russian, and when an active attempt was made to turn him from his office, the British Fleet appeared in Chemulpo Harbour.  Mr. Brown was to be backed by all the force of England.  The Russians yielded and Mr. Brown remained on at the head of the Customs, but did not retain full control over the Treasury.

Had Britain or America at this time taken a hand in the administration of Korean affairs, much future trouble would have been avoided.  They would have done so as part of their Imperial task of “bearing the burden of weaker nations.”  Many Koreans desired and tried to obtain the intervention of America, but the United States had not then realized to the extent she was to do later that great power brings great responsibilities, not for your nation alone, but for all the world that has need of you.

During the period of active reform following the King’s escape, the Progressives formed a league for the maintenance of Korean union.  At their head was Dr. Philip Jaisohn, the boy General of 1884.  The movement was one of considerable importance.  In response to my request, Dr. Jaisohn has written the following description of what took place: