The Washington herald., 1907-07-20

Seoul. July BIN an imperial rescript
announcing the abdication, the Emperor
expresses regret that during the forty
four years Of his reign national calamities
have followed in rapid succession.
The popular distress. the rescript adds,
has now become so aggravated that the
Emperor deems it time to transfer the
crown 10 the heir apparent, in accord
anee with ancestral usages.
It is said that the Emperor tried TO take
refuge in the Russian consulate. but Jap
anese. precautions prevented him. There
is a disposition among some of the Japa-
nese here to seek the real cause Of the
( upheaval in the difficulty between Amer
lea and Japan.
They believe that this move is made 10
divert the attention Of the japanese from
California and to placate the dissatisfac-
ton arising from that cause by severity
to the Koreans. Baron Hayashi's visit Is
interpreted as being only partly connected
with the situation here. 1t is thought by
some that IL is also for the purpose Of
consulting with Prince Ito on the Ameri-
can question.
No Disorders Thus Far.
Thus FAR there have been no disorders,
although the excitement continues. The
japanese are leaving nothing to chance in
/ this respect Their police are armed with
rifles. and they do not allow people to
gather around the palace.
/ Twice last night the crowds were driven
/ back, tie first time during the audience.
which ended in the Emperor's abdica-
/ tion, when 5000 were driven away. and
! the second time when a band of students
/ tried to present a petition TO the En-
peror.
The ex-Emperor reasserts that he was
not responsible for sending a Korean
/ delegation To The Hague
Prince Ito says the Korean cabinet is
/ entirely answerable for its action toward
/ the Emperor 1t was initiated and car
Tied out without Japans influence. Prince
/ Ito refused the Emperors request for
/ advice in the matter, saying IL solely
concerned his majesty.
Crown Prince on Throne.
Toxic. July 19-The Emperor Of Korea,
who abdicated his throne to-day, Is sue
! ceeded by the crown prince.
/ Advices from Seoul say that the En-
! peror convened the elder statesmen at
! o'clock this morning, and after confer
ring with them for two hours finally
| yielded and decided 10 abdicate
It is reported that the Emperor i'm
plored Prince Ito % save Korea IN a
manner satisfactory TO Japan ana yet
not derogatory TO the prestige Of the
/ Korean Court. Ito is said 10 have avoided
( carefully giving a definite reply.
The elder statesmen OF Korea have
/ written q letter 10 Prince Ito. intimating
| that the japanese will secure their sup
port If the Japanese deal fairly with the
! Emperor. Otherwise they and the whole
/ Korean nation viii be prepared TO die as
martyrs
Reigns More than Forty Years.
The fallen Emperor. whose name is VI
! Hyeung, succeeded the preceding monarch
on the throne in 1864, but did not assum,
the title Of Emperor until October 1897
Up 10 July, 1884, when Japan declared wal
against China, the monarchy was practi
cally absolute, the laws and administra
ton being founded on the Chinese model
although the government was entirely s,
the hands Of a corrupt hereditary aris
tOcracy
For centuries Korea had acknowledged
the suzerainty Of China, but by the treaty
Of Shimonoseki. IN May, lS95. China re-
n0uneed this claim. and the reign Of Japa-
nesA influence In Korea began. japan ad
vaneing money and Korea making a mum
Der Of necessary reforms in the internal
! government Of the country.