Mr. Sill to Mr. Gresham.
Seoul, Korea, August 24, 1894. (Received October 1.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am just in receipt of a dispatch from the department of foreign affairs here, informing me that hereafter foreign representatives in attending an audience at the palace will be allowed to ride through the gates to the waiting room.
This is doubtless the result of Japanese dictation. It has been regarded here as a matter of considerable importance.
This recent action of the council, indorsed by the King, illustrates forcibly the completeness of the overthrow of Chinese influence in Korea, as well the present supremacy of the Japanese.
The combined efforts of all the foreign representatives, except the Chinese, could not secure permission to ride from the outer gates of the palace inclosure to the waiting room; Chinese influence prevailed against all opposition. The Chinese representatives might so ride, and so might the Chinese consul, and even the telegraph superintendent, but not the other foreign representatives. Within one year a hint from Japan accomplishes all that was vainly sought in 1893.
I have, etc.,