Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1904 — KOREAN PALACE BURNED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KOREAN PALACE BURNED.

Imperial Family Flee from Fire of Incendiary Origin. The imperial palace at Seoul, Korea, was destroyed by fire the other night. Yi-Hi-Y'oung, tlie Emperor; Empress Oin. Y'i-Si-Ek and the imperial household es-* raped to the American legation. The tire was of incendiary origin. The British legatiofi was saved by hard work on the part of the Japanese, French and Italian

soldiers. These forced an entrance to the palace inclosure and tore down the smaller buildings in juxtaposition to the palace. The j>alaee cost about $250,000 when built. No estimate is given as to the value of the contents. Several of the officials are free in their assertions that the tire was the work of persons recently returned to Seoul after banishment, persons, forming a guild, were banished by royal edict a month and more ngo, but recently returned and have since been suspected of intrigue with proRussian influences. However, the suspicions directed toward the members of the guild come from those officials pronounced in their pro-Japanese sympathies. The Korean Emperor will occupy the American legation for the present. Japanese troops are now guarding the imperial inclosures and the buildings Mr. Conger, the American minister nt Pekin, cables the State Department that Mr. Miller, the United States consul nt Newchwang. hns been notified by the Russian authorities that mines have been placed in the river,, but that neutral shops will be conducted in and out safely. Captain George G. Gntley, artillerycorps, who was designed ns one of the four American officers to act as military attnche with the Russian armies in the field, will not be able to go on this duty, ns he is reported fb be quite ill it Manila.

ADMIRAL MAKAROFF.