Directory_and_Chronicle_1913 — Page 753

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CHOSEN-SEOUL

of small intrinsic value. Not only were permits issued without stint to private persons enabling them to undertake the work of coining, but the country was Inundated with spurious coin. It was possible before Japan took the reform of Corea's currency in hand to obtain 245 cents for a Japanese yen. Japan's control of the country's finances was signalised by the adoption of the gold standard, the prohibition of private minting, the issue of a new currency, supplemented by a note issue by the Dai Ichi Ginko (First Bank). The old nickel coins have been gradually withdrawn, and it is hoped in time to rid the country of fractional cash. No attempt is being made to withdraw cash, but a limit was put upon its use in October, 1906, and it is expected that cash will ultimately be driven out of circulation by the increasing popularity of the new currency, The Customs statistics have shown a considerable export of these coins. Included in the scheme of financial reform is the establishment of Agricultural and Industrial Banks to assist trade by giving the necessary financial accommodation. A Notes Association has also been formed to popularise the circulation of reliable negotiable bills, and warehouses have been established as wholly official or government subsidised enterprises for the purpose of easing the money market in agricultural districts, by making loans on the security of rice, or lending money without security for the purchase of rice.

A railway connecting Chemulpo with Seoul was opened on September 18th, 1899, and the Coreans have not been slow to avail themselves of modern conveniences for travelling. There are now more than 600 miles of railway in operation in Corea, and several new lines are projected. The Seoul-Fusan railway, 275 miles in length, opened in May, 1905, was acquired by the Japanese Government in 1908 as a State railway. This line connects Yong-dong-po with the railway to Chemulpo, and the journey from Seoul to Tokyo can now be accomplished in 53 hours. The railway between Seoul and Wiju, 310 miles, hurriedly constructed for military purposes in 1904-1905, has been reconstructed at a cost of 44,500,000 yen. A railway now connects Fusan and Masampo, and the distance in covered by a through train in a little over three hours. A line running from Pyong-yang to Chinnampo, 343 miles length, was opened in October, 1910.

The carrying trade of the country is practically in the hands of the Japanese.

SEOUL

The old city of Han-yang, better known to foreigners as Seoul (which is merely the native term for capital), is situated almost in the centre of the province of Kiung-kei, on the north side of and about three miles from the river Han, about thirty- five miles from its mouth. It lies in 37 deg. 30 min. N. lat. and 127 deg. 4 min E. long. Han-yang means "the fortress on the Han." The city is enclosed by crenelated walls of varying height, averaging about twenty feet, with arched stone bridges spanning the watercourses. It is in the form of an irregular oblong, and stretches lengthwise in a valley that runs from north-east to south-west. The houses are about eight or nine feet high, built of stone or mud, and mostly roofed with tiles. Internally they are clean, for the Coreans, like the Japanese, take off their shoes before entering their houses. A long main street, about 100 feet wide, running east and west, divides the city into two nearly equal portions. In the northern half are the walled enclosures con- taining the late King's Palace and the more important public buildings. A street about 50 feet wide intersects the main street at right angles, dividing the northern half of the city into eastern and western quarters. At the point of intersection stands a pavilion called Chong-kak (the “Bell Kiosk "), from a large bell, about seven feet high, which is placed there. This spot is regarded as the centre of the city; and from it another street, as wide as the main street, branches off to the south-west. The four wide streets which thus radiate from the "Bell Kiosk" are known as the four Chong-ro or "Bell roads."

Another conspicuous feature of this central part of the city is the row of large warehouses, two storeys high, the lower portions of which are divided off into little shops, opening into a small courtyard instead of facing the street. The width of the main streets was formerly much reduced by the construction in front of nearly every house of a rude wooden shanty used for a workshop or for business purposes, which gave the streets a poor and squalid appearance, but some of the principal streets have now been cleared of these unsightly obstructions, and the people are gradually being taught