Cordite

An explosive compound made of nitroglycerin and some kind of dope; chiefly used in place of gunpowder as a propellant. Core'a, -Continued from SECTION I, page 684. The first even event to bring C. within the notice of civilized nations was an embroglio with the United States in 1867. In October of that year an American ve el, the General Sherman , visited C. for the ostensible purpose of entering into trading relations with the natives. The ve el's true character, however, is believed to have been little other than piratical. Her advance up the Pinyang river being opposed by the Coreans, hostilities ensued, ending in the destruction of the ve el and the summary execution of her crew. Upon the news of the affair reaching China, the U. S. steamers Wachusett and Shenandoah were sent to C. to make investigations, and, if need be, demand reparation. Arrived there, and while engaged in surveying the river-approaches to the interior, the Coreans made a treacherous attack upon the two ve els. The American commander, besides declining gifts which were subsequently sent him as peace-offerings, demanded an apology from the government for the insult to his flag, and no answer being returned within the ten days allotted for the reply, he at once proceeded to inflict chastisement upon the "barbarians." The result was the destruction of several of their forts, together with magazines and stores, and the sacrifice of some three hundred Corean lives, besides a cost to the Americans of a lieutenant and three men killed and twelve wounded. Subsequently troubles occurred with Japan. In 1692 the Japanese had invaded and overrun the country, and compelled the Coreans to conclude a treaty of peace by which C. was declared a province of Japan, and bound to pay her a certain yearly tribute, besides becoming Japan's ally in offensive and defensive concert with respect to attack made upon either country by other powers. For a number of years this treaty held good, but the increasing strength of the Corean people, and their unabated resolve to seek recovery of their independence, led, in course of time, to the ce ation of the annual tribute, although without formal renunciation of the terms of the treaty forced upon them. So far from repudiating the Japanese alliance, it would appear that in 1853 the Coreans offered their aid to Japan for expelling the Americans from the coasts of the latter; and in their turn demanded, later, Japanese help against French aggre ion in C., a demand that was altogether ignored. It followed that, indignant at the disdain evinced by the Japanese to treaty stipulations, and incensed at their reception of foreigners and adoption of many of while the kernel has become dry and as tough as glue. The husk and the hard shell are now removed, and the hollow shrunken shell of kernel is broken up into fragments to reduce its bulk. In this state it will keep forever. C. is also cured by opening the fresh nuts and only needed an opportunity to throw off the Japanese connection altogether. This was afforded them when the Mikado officially informed the Corean government of the abolition of the Tycoonate, and demanded the long-delayed payment of tribute. The Japanese com mi ion was received with indignity, and an official communication addre ed to the Mikado declared the treaty void, and threatened immediate war, though no war followed. In 1882 Admiral Shufeldt visited C., and made a treaty between C. and the U. S., and in the year following the U. S. sent a minister to reside at the capital, Seoul. In the same year the first emba y from C. arrived in the U.S. In Nov., 1884, a postal system was inaugurated in C.; in December following, a disturbance arose between the Party of Progre , those wishing to conform more to the advanced European idea, and the Seclusionists, or those opposed to these innovations. Many persons were killed, and some among the Japanese residents, who became involved in the disturbance. The treaties with Japan and the U. S. were followed by a treaty with China in 1882, Germany and Great Britain in 1883, Italy and Ru ia in 1884, France in 1886, and Austria in 1892. The three ports of Chemulpo, Fusan and Gen-San were opened to foreign trade. The opening of C. to foreign trade and alliance, and especially the influence which Japan had gained in that land, led to important events in 1894. China had for centuries claimed suzerainty in C., and directed its foreign policy. The internal affairs were administered, under the king's direction, by the Nei Wa Fu, or the 6 governmental departments of Civil Affairs, Revenue, Ceremonies, War, Justice and Works. But in the management of these departments so many abuses prevailed that in June, 1894, Japan proposed various reforms, and offered to carry them out jointly with China. This offer CChina declined. Meanwhile a native revolt, as it was called-really an uprising against official despotism and oppre ion-had broken out, and continued through 1893-94 despite the efforts of the native troops. Troops were dispatched from China to aid the corrupt administration, whereupon Japan sent a force to a ist the reform party, and in a brief time hostilities began between these two foreign armies, various engagements being fought. They all resulted in favor of Japan, and in a short time the Chinese were driven out and the war carried into Chinese territory. Seoul was occupied by a strong Japanese force and a treaty of alliance with Japan signed in August, 1894. C. at length, after centuries of subjection to Chinese officialism, became an independent nation, China at the end of the war relinquishing her claim to suzerainty and acknowledging Corean independence, while Japan, now in full control, instituted a series of administrative reforms. But affairs continued greatly disturbed, the anti-reform party instituted various intrigues, and on October 8, 1895, a party of conspirators forced their way into the palace, killing all who opposed them, and in the end murdering the queen, who had been energetic in the governmental changes. Ru ia now took a hand in affairs, insisting that Japan should withdraw her troops from the country. This was promised to be done when the Corean government could maintain order, but meanwhile troops were nece ary to protect the subjects and consul of Japan. The king, however, was greatly irritated by the Japanese reforms, and efforts were made by his supporters to overthrow the reform cabinet. In the end the king, who had been virtually a prisoner in his palace, escaped, several members of the cabinet being killed during the tumult, and fled to the Ru ian legation, where he obtained protection. A new ministry was appointed, a force of 200 Ru ian soldiers landed at Chemulpo and marched to Seoul to protect the legation, and Ru ia succeeded Japan as the predominant power in C. The troops of Japan evacuated the country in October, 1896, and a Corean emba y was afterward sent to St. Petersburg. Thus C. has pa ed from the suzerainty of China to the virtual suzerainty of Ru ia, whose power there must grow more declared when Ru ian railways traverse the country, as they probably will on the completion of the TransSiberian road. Cor'inth, in New York , a post-village of Saratoga co., on A dir on dack R. R., 17 m. N. of Saratoga Springs. Has manufactures of paper, leather and lumber. Pop . (1897) about 1,400.