763.72119/4013

The Consul General at Seoul (Bergholz) to the Acting Secretary of State

No. 5

Sir: Referring to despatches Nos. 325 and 329, dated January 10 and 17, 1919, respectively, from Mr. Consul Curtice,61 relative to the reported agitation of certain Koreans in the United States, having in view the reestablishment of the independence of Korea, and quoting the statement of Dr. Ramakichi Nakajima, professor at the Imperial University at Tokyo, appearing in the Japan Advertiser of January 7, 1919, that “there can be little doubt that American missionaries are behind the independence movement of of the Koreans I now have the honor to inform the Department that on the 24th instant I addressed a communication to the Secretaries of the several Mission Stations in Chosen, a copy of which is an enclosure, to which were attached, for their guidance and that of the members of the Stations, copies of a circular letter, sent in 1897, at the instance of the Department, by the Minister Resident and Consul General at Seoul to all Americans in Korea, enjoining upon them the necessity of scrupulously abstaining from participating in the domestic affairs of the country.

Although I fully believe our missionaries in Chosen are not in sympathy with the movement referred to, I nevertheless deemed it prudent, rather for the benefit of the younger than the older missionaries, to bring to their notice the views of the Department, so clearly expressed in its instruction to Minister Sill, as to the necessity of their holding themselves wholly aloof from all political questions.

The death of the ex-Emperor, the last independent ruler of Korea, has made a profound impression among the people, and has revived a strong feeling of loyalty toward the Royal House.

A copy of this despatch has been forwarded to the Embassy at Tokyo.

I have [etc.]

Leo Bergholz
[Enclosure]

The Consul General at Seoul (Bergholz) to the Secretaries of the American Mission Stations in Korea

Sir: In connection with the action of certain Koreans in the United States in presenting to Congress a petition begging the intervention [Page 459] of our Government in reestablishing the independence of Korea, the Japan Advertiser, in its issue of January 7, 1919, published what purports to be an interview with Dr. Ramakichi Nakajima, a professor at the Imperial University, in which Dr. Nakajima is quoted as saying that:

“There can be little doubt that the American missionaries are behind the independence movement of the Koreans.”

Although I am convinced that our missionaries now in Chosen have held themselves aloof from the movement referred to I am, nevertheless, sending you, for the guidance of the members of your Mission Station, copies of a circular letter addressed, at the instance of the Department of State, by the American Minister Resident and Consul General at Seoul, on May 11, 1897, to all Americans in Korea, enjoining upon them the necessity of scrupulously abstaining from participating in the domestic affairs of the country.

Very respectfully yours,

Leo Bergholz
[Subenclosure]

The Minister in Korea (Sill) to American Residents in Korea

Sir: By direction of the Secretary of State I am required to make publicly known to each and every citizen of the United States sojourning or being temporarily or permanently in Korea, the repeatedly expressed view of the Government of the United States that it behooves loyal citizens of the United States in any foreign country whatsoever to observe the same scrupulous abstention from participating in the domestic concerns thereof which is internationally incumbent upon his Government. They should strictly refrain from any expression of opinion or from giving advice concerning the internal management of the country, or from any intermeddling in its political questions. If they do so, it is at their own risk and peril. Neither the Representative of this Government in the country of their sojourn, nor the Government of the United States itself, can approve of any such action on their part, and should they disregard this advice it may perhaps not be found practicable to adequately protect them from their own consequences. Good American citizens, quitting their own land and resorting to another, can best display their devotion to the country of their allegiance and best justify a claim to its continued and efficient protection while in foreign parts, by confining themselves to their legitimate avocations, whether missionary work, or teaching in schools, or attending the sick, or other calling or business for which they resort to a foreign country.

I am [etc.]

John M. B. Sill
  1. Neither printed.