Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 205, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1910 — WOMEN OF COREAN COURT. [ARTICLE]

WOMEN OF COREAN COURT.

Great Reduction in Their Number-. Influence They Once Exerted. The visit of three Corean court fit dies to Japan is an indication of the striking changes that have resulted from the Japanese occupation of tne Hermit Kingdom. Two years ago there were no fewer than 1,800 ladies in waiting, now there are only 100. This wholesale reduction naturally created consternation, and there was much lamentation among those whose services were dispensed with. Their lot, however, does not seem to have been ‘.altogether enviable, appears that it nas been the custom to take girls into the court from the age o) 10, and thenceforth throughout the whole period of their natural li.ves they were never allowed to leave the precincts of the palace, so that thej lived in absolute ignorance of the outside world. The few who accompanied the Em peror on his recent tour gave evidence of the timidity which had resulted from their* long confinement, for they could hardly be persuaded to enter the train, and they finally did so with manifest trepidation. Hitherto the influence of these ladies at court has been very great. Having constant access to the ear of the Sovereign, on the one hand, and being, on the other, accessible tc •ill the intriguing influences that prevailed in the unwholesome atmosphere of the court, their power exceeded even that of Ministers of State —London Telegraph.