对中国近代史学界来说， 福久其人其事及 “福久新闻事件” 一直是谜。 借助新发现的史料，此谜终得破解。 袁世凯以维护清韩宗藩关系为己任， 与主张朝鲜独立自主的美国驻韩临时代办福久经常针锋相对。 为保护国家利益， 袁世凯以 “福久新闻事件” 为契机， 与朝鲜官员联袂， 巧妙利用条约条款， 施展外交智慧， 取得时任美国国务卿首肯， 最终迫使福久离开朝鲜。

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.