Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, Appendix I, Chinese-Japanese War, Enforcement of Regulation Respective to Fur Seals, Mosquito Territory, Affairs at Bluefields, Claim of Antonio Maximo Mora, Import Duties on Certain Products of Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela, Affairs in the Samoan Islands

Mr. Sill to Mr. Gresham.

No. 95.]

Legation of the United States,
Seoul, Korea, January 17, 1895. (Received February 10.)

Sir: I have the honor to hand you inclosed a translation of the oath taken by the King of Korea to support the new order of government. It was intended that this oath should be taken on December 22, but it was not taken till January 7, because of the King’s illness.

I have, etc.,

John M. B. Sill.

[Inclosure in No. 95.—Translation.]

The oath sworn [taken] at the royal temple by His Majesty the King of Korea, while he worshiped [bowed], on the 12th day of the twelfth moon of the five hundred and third year of the foundation of Ta Chosen [Korea], (January 7, 1895.)

I.

To [I] give up all idea of subjection to China and agree to labor to firmly establish the independence of Korea.

II.

To arrange the royal succession in such a manner as to distinguish clearly between the heir and the next of kin.

III.

To decide all political affairs in council with my cabinet in the hall of audience.

IV.

Her Majesty the Queen, the royal secondary wife [concubine] and the royal relations shall not interfere in such decisions.

V.

Affairs of state and those of the royal household shall be separated, so as not to produce confusion.

VI

The duties and functions of the ministry and department shall he defined in a clear and intelligible manner.

VII.

No taxes shall be collected from the subjects of the Kingdom except in regular order and by just and legal enactments.

VIII.

The department of finance shall have charge of the collection of taxes and the disbursement of moneys for the expenses of state.

IX.

The expenses of the royal household shall be reduced and arranged first, as an example for the different departments and the lesser officials.

X.

All the expenses of the royal household and of all offices and departments shall be computed for one year in advance, and a budget made of the total expenses of state.

XI.

The most intelligent of the young men shall be sent to foreign countries to be educated in art, literature, and science.

XII.

All the officers of the army must be educated in the school for military officers.

XIII.

The laws governing subjects and criminals shall be clearly defined, and prisoners shall not be punished without being regularly tried. Good laws for the protection of persons and property shall be made.

XIV.

All officers shall be selected, from the various parts of the country, for their ability and regardless of family.