Korean independence outbreak beginning March 1st 1919

([S.l. :  s.n.,  1920?])

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Jl

STATSUEIiT OP 47HAT HAPPEHED AT lUg^^cHIN A?iD PUSAH.
From the night of uatch 11th to the evenina of karch 15th.
*

Knowing something of the diatruhaacos in other x^arts, and fear¬
ing that there yrould "be a eimilar demonstration here, wo had warned
the teachers and children in the dormitory and endeavored to prevent
their leaving the premisses. In spite of our efforts, however, they
were so determined to taisie part in any rising that occured, that on
the evening of Karch 11th they eluded us at a'bout eight thirty P. M.
and were no where to "be found. Hise Menzies, who is in charge of the
dormitory at once set off to loolc for them, "but did not succeed in
finding'any of the eight (two teachers and six children) who \ie-re  away.
Miss Hocking and I then persuaded Miss Menzies to wait at home ?;hile
we found the children and, if possible, ■faring them 'back. At first the
search along the main road and along other narrow streets was quite
unsaccessful. . Then we suddenly heard shouting on the main road, and
we rushed to the place, to see if we oould get our girls away. Vlhen
they saw us coming they ran from us as fast as they could, for they
imew we had come to try and stop them. The faster they ran the faster
we ran, and finally v/e succeeded in grasping tv.'o or three. One
school girl obeyed ae and went to her home, but the others would not
liljten and shook us off.  Seeing it was no use trying to stop them.
Miss Hocking and I then went quietly home. T?e had "been "back in the
house some tvrenty minutes or so, when, six oonsta'bles appeared and told
us we muat go along with them. They spoke very rudely and pre-
emptorily. uaien we reached the main, road where there were a"bout twenty
others, lights were flashed in our faces and we were stared at
and josseled in an. insulting manner. In a few ainutes we were told to gKi
get into a motor car that had "brought some of them from Fusan, and
we were taken straight to the polioe station. There we were kept for
two hours in the main office while individual gendarmes plied us
with (luestioas, hut there was no official investigation. About twelve
thirty A. U. we were shown into a room, half 'bedroom, half sitting
room, and told we would he there for the night. We asked that word be
sent to Miss Menzies as we knew that she expected us baok almost
Immediately.  She received word indirectly thru a Eoi-ean policeman
that v/e might be in neod of bedding, and so sent some in. This reach¬
ed us about 3 A.M.aiid was opened and examined with queries as to
whether there were a knife concealed. The only things wrapped up in
the auiit and rugs wore a few oranges in a paper bag. Some of the
gendarmes at the polioe station were polite and kmdJ.y, and the black
braided official who questioned and warned us Tms perfectly court¬
eous. But during the first night we were disturbed at very frequent^
intervals by men coming into the room where we were sleopiag and asking
if we were all right. Our quarters were comfortable but it was
annoying in the extreme to be so disturbed, especially as we knew it
was not concern for our comfort but a desire to see if we were there
and probably also to vex ua that prompted the visit.

Hext morning we were told we might order breakfast, but wc
could not get what wo wanted, the food that was sent being a thick
slice each of sour bread aad a little rancid butter, and over an hour
later some queer tasting tea. No other food was provided and no in¬
quires were madd as to ?/helher we required any.  So about 3 P.M. feel¬
ing faint for lack of it, we asked the constable to have something
sent to us without delay. The Japanese "cooksu" (vermicelli) whioh was
s«nt in and vfhich as well as the bread, butter and tea was paid for
by US, was so unpalatable that I could scareely eat it.

As we learned afterward, Mr. Wright had been to tho prefect of
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