Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-07-20
.EMPEROR'S ED|CT
OF ABD|CATI0N
TroubIous Times Determine Him
To Hand Affairs OF State Over
To Crown Prince.
WILD SCENES AROUND PALACE
Crowd OF Five Thousand Driven from
The Gatcs---Japanese Press Sympn-
thizes, English Press Doesn't.

Seoul, Korea, July ts.--The abdicatior
edict OF the emperor Is his first COM
munication to the world since the repu-
diation OF the convention OF 1905. A
translation of the text OF the edict FOL
lows.
II have been. In succession to my an
cestors, on the throne ~ years and
have met many disturbances. ! have
not reached my own desire While
ministers arc frequently improper men
and progress is not controlled by men,
the times are contrary TO natures
events. A crisis extremely urgent in
the life of the people has arisen and
the progress of tle state IL more than
before imperiled.
II fear n danger like that. that befalls
person crossing the ice. Fortunately
we have son endowed by nature with
virtue, brilliant end we'll worthy Of be-
ing charged with plans for the develop
ment of the government to whom we
transfer our inheritance sanctioned by
the custom of ancient times
Therefore, be ii known 1hat-as soon
as II is proper to be done, we will hand
the AFFAIRS of state over TO the crown
prince as our representative
Court usage is said to make tho
meaning OF the above an actual abdi-
cation.
While insufficient time has elapsed to
show the effect of the emperors action
on the situation, advisory opinion at
the Japanese residepcy general regards
the abdication as taking away the force
OF Japan's intended blow,
BEFORE PALACE GATES.
Seoul July ia crowd OF 5000 Kor-
cans has been beaten back from the
palace gates. During the audience with
the cabinet last night, when the en-
peror acquiesced TO the demand for abb
dication, number Of Students attempts
ed to present a petition to the emperor,
put The police prevented them from do
ing so, driving them back east of the
palace, where they remained all night,
making speeches. At midnight Chief
OF Police Maruyama distributed car
biiles to the palace police, but the crowd
continued to increase, but remained
orderly. The elaborate ceremony of
transferring the imperial seal TO the
crown prince is in progress this fore
noon. Some shops arc Closed because
OF the sympathy of their proprietors
with the emperor, and the streets
around the palace are filled with pco-
pie The Japanese papers have pub
ilShed some sensational remors, but
tnere is no indication of revolt The
horean Official Gazette Is now circulat-
ing on the street, the first official an
nouncement of the abdicatlon, which
was signed by the emperor and seven
ministers In favor of the crown prince.
AT the Japanese residency, MARQUIS
Ito and Viseount Hayashi, in an answer
10 an inquiry of the correspondent of
the Associated Press regarding the eff
fect OF the emperor's action, its i'm
portance In effecting settlement of
Inc Whole Japanesa-k Korean situation
ana whether or not 1t was in accord
ance with the plans of Japan, said they
We're not prepared at present to make a
statement.
Marquis Ito. however. desired 1t to be
enphatically stated that both before
and during his audience YESTERDAY.
When the emperor and cl.Dinet were
weighing the question OF ubdication, he
refused any participation. The emperor
repeated his declaration that he was
not responsible for the sending of the
Korean delegation to The Hague and
asked Marquis lto's opinion OF the cabi-
nets resignation regarding abdication
Marquis Ito replied that the matter
Whoily concerned the emperor OF Korea
ana not himself as the representative OF
the empire Of Japan. Furthermore
Marquis Ito declares. thS cabinat,s
whole course of action was based on
Its own initiative.
Nlne a. m.-The city became quiet at
hSnttali ana Is now under military con-
troi. So'
a heavy rain following the outbreak
OF today was largely Instrumental In
ulspersing the crowds. All traffic has
.
arc guarded. The police report that
20 Japanese were killed and wounded
IN the days rioting. The casualties
among the Koreans are unknown.
An Official report ascribes the
shooting today TO Korean soldiers. who
could not be controlled by their officers.
Inc noise OF the firing and the news
thstt casualties had resulted greatly al
armed the emperor. who at I O'Clock
tonight sent by the minister of Justice
a long, apologetic message to MARQUIS
ITO 10 the erect that he regretted hN
ignorant subjects had caused violent
coinmotion. He therefore relied upon
MARQUIS Ito to take measures neces-
sary 10 prevent further trouble.
After the emeute Marquis Ito called
upon Gen. Hasegawa to take military
charge or the city, Japanese troops
nave been offered for the safeguarding
OF foreign consulates in Seoul.
JAPANESE PRESS sYMPATHIzEs
Toxic, July 20.-The Japanese press Is
thls morning generally sypinathetic
Win the retired Korean emperor as an
individual, but none, however regrets
the act OF abdlcation.
In the absence OF the official text IL ia
commented that there Is doubt whether
the abdication means q complete nom
interference with the government by
the emperor. Suggestion Is made that
there Is necessity OF clearly defining the
position of the retired emperor 10
order 10 prevent even an Indirect med.
ding with the administration.
IL ID alSo pointed out that anyhow the
change or government was caused by
the Initiation OF the Korean govern
ment' In which Japan had no concern
whatever and that 1t cannot be con-
sidered q final solution or The Hague
Incident.
II Is expected that Foreign Minister
Hhyashi VIII effect Il definite arrange
ment with tho Korean government re-
gardlng that question. kilograms from
Seoul dated midnight last night say
that general calm prevails. Japanes
troops have been called out ana n bat
talon ~ guarding the palace.
NO ENGLISH SYMPATHY,
London, July 2,-Scarcely u word OF
Is uttered by the morning pa
pers for the deposed emperor OF Korea,
who Is regarded as having Brought his
fate upon himself by futile Intriguing
against the Japanese and. AZ the Daily
Graphic humorously remarks by nhav-