Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-22
ITO TALKS OF KOREA
Resident General Shows High
Motives.
OPPOSED TO ANNEXATION
Advocates Equal Taxation. Education
and Justice.
ABOUT TO ASSUME POSITION
Plans May Be Nulliied, However, by
Stubbornness of People He De-
sires to Benefit.
OPPOSED TO ANNEXATION
ABOUT TO ASSUME POSITION

TOXIC September 21.-Prince Ito the
Japanese resident general in Korea. leaves
here tomorrow for Seoul. This morning he
granted an audience 20 the correspondent OF
the Associated Press Immediately before his
inyestiture at the palace, in which he spoke
Freely of the future of Korea
During the month that Prince Ito has been
IN Toxic. Korea has been his only theme,
and the result of his labors is that the en-
oeror and his ministers have given unani-
nous approval to his program for reform
administration in Korea; in fact, never, ex-
cept in time of war. have the politicians OF
Japan been 40 united on one policy
Discussing this subject with the cor
respondent Prince Ito showed a depth OF
feeling unusual in Japanese.
1T is right he declared, and therefore
mus, be done 1t must succeed If 1t is pos
sible of human accomplishment
Opposed to Annexation.
Prince Ito has been opposed steadfastly TO
the annexation of Korea, and this against
his friends and advisers. Instead, he DIRE"
I'D program providing for equitable iand
laws a fair system of taxation, the protec-
ton of life and property, education for
every one. the establishment of fair courts
of Justice and the stern abolition OF corrup-
ton The estimated cost of these reforms
to Japan is S1O.OOO.OOO in five years. and this
has been approved. 1t will not become
tax upon the Korean people, but Is an in
vestment by Japan.
Continuing, the prince said
Some people in Japan believe it is mis-
take not TO annex Korea, but L am con-
WINGED that annexation Is merely crude
and cruel means of securing the desired
friendship and assistance of Korea In ORDER
10 build up the two countries, whose IN
of the emperor's plan, unless 1t shouo
prove quite unavoidable Annexation wou!u
mean the loss of self-respect by the
Koreans, it would be too violent remedy
The masses Of Korea have been sufferers
from corrupt misgovernment. political IN
trigus and oppression Of the agrlculturlstS
until they have become menace 10 japan.
and until all development in the country
has been h!ndered
EQUAL Taxation and Justice.
Il have no reason not to take my asso-
ciates and the public into my confidence
have no desire for secrecy. The ten mil
lion people of Korea will more quickly
become the friends OF Japan If they are
ACQUAINTED with the fact that my program
Il directed entirely To the relief and as
sistance of the poorer classes by means OIL
good land laws, equal taxation, eoucalloh
and justice.
II want the missionaries of America and
England To know that l am anxious u
help them We are all working for com
mon object: namely, the building up Oh
civilization. But the missionaries shouio
not mix into politics: let then atten sl,te ~
their work. and | will contine my energies
m mine II IS certain. however. that edch
of Us can help the other. am convifcg Ei
that thinking people the world over wiz WIZ
,nnroye Of Japan'S course. What matters
~. ruInr ~ the skin or the religious Dellel
Ne are working together for the good OF
humanity ,,ar ,,s
prinrr Ito continued but they will not
nravpnt the attainment of our purpose Wo
are going ahead in Korea In spite Oh opp
sftiOn from any source or from any couh
try | concur with the late John nay the
sr,,t American statesman. who said that
in diplomacy. as with individuals. honesty
is the best policy.
America Is Our Friend
Japan has counted the cost Of these re-
forms in Korea and nothing shall prevent
us from carrying them out 1t Is true that
the Koreans themselves may prevent the
accom- Iishment OF our purpose to give
them a system of government and an army
Of their own, but the people of Korea and
the entire world must understand, once
for ALL that the political supremacy of
Japan in Korea Is to remain firmly estab
iished We are not asking advice from any
one regarding this policy. II the people OF
Korea refuse to accept this fair and
friendly assistance they will. By their own
act. write annexation into history, for
a nation divided in sentiment from Japan
Korea cannot stand
a. the conclusion Of his significant and
Interesting words upon the Japanese pur-
poses regarding Korea, Prince Ito spoke
with ths correspondent of the Associated
Press Of the friendly relations between
Japan and the United States. and Contin-
uinB. he expressed his admiration of Presi-
dent Roosevelt. America Is our friend
he said. and the friend Of Amer
lea. The recent talk OF war finds no sup
port among the Statesmen of Japan or the
United States. War between these two
countries is unspeakable and impossible