Abstract: Among modern historians of China，the person of Charles C. Foulk and the “Foulk Newspaper Incident” has always been a riddle. Drawing on newly discovered historical materials，this riddle can at last be explained. In order to preserve Sino-Korean tributary relations，Yuan Shikai had often confronted George C. Foulk，the interim U. S. Chargéd’ Affairs in Korea，who advocated an independent Korea. To protect the national interest，Yuan Shikai，took the opportunity of the“Foulk Newspaper Incident，” to cooperate with Korean officials. Yuan tactfully utilized clauses in international treaties，gave full play to his diplomatic wisdom，and ultimately obtained the approval of the U. S. Secretary of State，to force Foulk to leave Korea.