The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-09-27
JAPAN WILD WITH ANGER
Popular 0utbursts and Protests
Against Peace Terms
MASS MEETING OF THE PEOPLE

Crowd in Theatre Dispersed Later by
PolIce-Cftice of the Government Or
gan Attacked by a Mob - Disorders
Not General and the Majority of the
People Ready 10 Accept the Result.
Toxic. Japan. - Turbulence OIL the
part of the people attendant upon the
popular anger over the terms Of peace
arranged with Russia took place. A
mass meeting to protest against the ac-
ton Of the Government was called. to
take place at Hibiya Park. but the
metropolitan police closed the gates,
and attempted to prevent the assem-
bling of the people. The municipality
protested against the action of the po-
lice. and finally the gates were thrown
open, and a large crowd gathered and
voted in favor Of resolutions declaring
the nation humilated, and denouncing
the terms upon which the treaty Of
peace was arranged. The crowd was
serious in its conduct. rather than an
CRY, and the police handled it discreet.
ly. The gathering eventually dispersed
in an orderly manner.
Later on. however. Il crowd attempt
ed to hold a meeting in the Shintoml
Theatre, and the police dispersed it. A
portion of the crowd then proceeded to
the office of the Kokumin Shinbun, the
Government organ, and began hooting.
Three employees Of the paper, armed
with swords. appeared at the door or
the building and checked the attack,
and the police again dispersed the
crowd 1t was thought that the trouble
had passed, when suddenly a portion
of the crowd made rush at the build
ing, hurled stones and damaged some
of the machinery. Several persons
were injured during the attack. but
the police eventually cleared the
streets of the crowd and arrested
number of rioters. The disorder was
not general, and the situation was not
regarded as being serious.
Similar meetings have been held ut
Osaka and Magoya. which, in round
terms denounced the Government, and
asked them to resign.
General sentiment throughout the
country seemed to favor reactionary
measures, but it appears clear that the
majority of the people will eventually
accept the result of the peace confer
ence, however disappointing it may be.
Authorities Prepare For Trouble.
The press kilograms outlining the
peace terms have further inf1amed the
sentiment against the settlement. The
radicals and hotheads continued to
urge various expedients to express the
popular disapproval. AS a precaution-
ary measure the police reserves have
been increased The police carefully
watched the developments of the sttua-
ton. and the force will be doubled
should violence occur. 1t 1t did, 1ts
speedy suppression was assured.
The Government was silent. The
conservative element predict that the
country will approve the settlement
when its conditions are thoroughly un-
derstood. They declare that the pres
ent agitation does not represent either
the ultimate sentiment of the people or
a sufficiently strong minority to merit
serious consideration. ,
Nagasaki-The peace news was re.
ceiyed without enthusiasm in the chief
centres Of Kiushiu Province. There is
a general feeling of chagrin that Japan
has been deprived Of the rightful fruits
of victory, but there is disappointment
especially at the fact that permanent
security from Russian aggression mas
not been secured. The diplomatic fall
ure is considered to be due to the nego-
tiations beginning prematurely.
Yokohama. - There have been no
demonstrations. The people quietly
awaited the official announcement or
the text Of the treaty.