The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-20
NEW EMPEROR SET UP In COREA
JAPANESE CUT OFF THE OLD ONE
FROM RUSSIAN CONSULATE.


Special Cable Dispatches 10 The SUN.
SEOUL. July l9.-Inan imperial rescript is
sued at 10 O'Clock this morning, announcing
the abdication Of the Emperor Yi-Hyeung,
regret is expressed thatduringth forty-four
years Of his reign national calamities have
followed in rapid succession. Tn popular
distress. the rescript adds, has nov become
50 aggravated that the Emperor deems IL
time to transfer the crown to the heir sp-
parent. in accordance with ancestral usages.
It is stated hat the Emperor tried to take
refuge in the Russian Consulate. but the
Japanese precautions prevented him. There
Ia a disposition among some OF the Japanese
here to seek the real cause of the upheaval
in the difficulty between America and Japan.
They believe that this move In a to
divert the attention Of the Japanese popu-
lace from California and TO placate the dis
satisfaction arising from hat cause by
severity to the Coreans.
Baron Hayashi's visit 10 interpreted as
being only partly connected with the stu
ton here. IL is thought by some hat it
IL also for the purpose of consulting with
Prince Ito on the American question.
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 round the palace. Twice last night
the crowds were driven back. the first time
during the audience which ended in the
Emperor's a~bdication, when 5000 were
driven away. and the second time when a
band of students tried TO present a petition
to the Emperor.
The Imperial seal was transferred TO the
Crown Prince with imposing ceremonial
this afternoon.
The ~ex-Emperor reasserts that he was not
responsible for sending a Corean delega-
ton to The Hague.
Prince Ito says the Corean Cabin net 10
entirely answerable for it's action toward
the Emperor. IL was initiated and carried
out without Japan's influence. Prince
Ito refused the Emperor's request for adj
vice in the matter, saying lit solely con-
cerned his Majesty"
TOXIC, July l9.-The Emperor Of Corea.
who abdicated his throne to-day. is sue
ceeded by the Crown Prince vi Syek, who
was horn on March IS, 1874.
Advices from Seoul say that the Emperor
convened the Elder Statesmen at l o'clock
this morning. and after comforting with
them for two hours finally yielded and
decided to abdicate.
1t was then decided to hold the abdication
ceremony at 10 O'Clock to-day.
There is much unrest in the vicinity OF
the palace. where a crowd Of 1000 persons
10 assembled. In another part of the city a
number of demonstrators attacked the
Offices Of the Kokumin. a daily paper. and
we're dispersed only after much damage had
been done.
1t il reported that the Emperor implored
Prince Ito 70 save Corea in a manner salts
factory to Japan and yet not d~erogatory
TO the prestige Of the Corean court. Ito is
said to nave avoided carefully giving a
definite reply.
The Elder Statesmen Of Cores have writ
ten a letter to Primo Ito intimating that
the japanese will receive their support IL
the Japanese deal fairly with the Emperor.
Otherwise they and the whole Corean ma
ton will be prepared to die as martyrs.
A despatch from Seoul says that crowds,
enraged at the forced abdication OF the
Emperor, had assembled in various parts
Of the city during the evening and thai
imiammatory anti-Japanese documents
were being freely distributed.
THE HAGUE. July l9.-Prince vi. the
Corean emissary, who was in st. Petersburg
with his colleague, vi ~Ijoune, when the
latter died. has returned here greatly dis
tressed. He says that Ijoune died OF a
broken heart. His last words we're
Help my country. Japan is destroying
her."
Ijoune was a Judge Of the Supreme Court
at Seoul and president Of the Young Mems
Christian Association.
Prince VI says he intends to appeal TO the
Young Men'sChristian Associations through~
| out the world to protest against Japanese
persecution and oppression.
Up to July. 1894. when Japan declared
war aga inst China. the Coresn monarchy
was practical lily absolute, the laws and sd-
ministration being founded on the Chinese
model. though the government was en-
tirely in the hands Of a corrupt hereditary
sristocracy. For centuries Corea had ac-
knowledged the suzerainty OF China, but
by the treaty Of Shimonoseki in May, 1905.
China renowned this claim and the reign
OF Japanese influence D Corea began. Japan
advancing money and Corea making a
number Of very necessary reforms In the
internal government OF the country.
In February. 1904. an agreement was
signed at Seoul on on behalf of Japan and
| SotCds oaBoh hioCi tonitS " 6ub WV
safety Of the Corean imperial house and
guaranteeing the independence and terri
torial integrity Of the country. while Corea.
placing full confidence in Japan. agreeing
/ to adopt Japanese advice with respect TO
administrative improvements. Unde an
agreement signed in August. 1904. Corea
accepted a Japanese financial adviser and
q foreign diplomatic adviser and promised
TO consult japan In dealing with foreign
powers and making concessions to or con-
tracts with foreigners.
Under the Russo-Japanese treaty OF
peace, September s. 1906. Russia scknowl-
edged Japan's paramount interests in
Corea and engaged not to obstruct or in
terfere with Japan's measures Of guidance.
protection and control In Corea. Great
Britain had made a similar agreement
with Japan a few weeks earlier. On No
vember n, 1905. Japan still further frightened
her hold. Corea signed an agreement
! placing in the hands of Japan the control
and direction Of all OF Corea's foreign re-
lations, and consented tina a Japanese
Resident General should be stationed in
Seoul. Accordingly Prince Ito took up
that appointment on March 2. 1905. and
he still holds II.
Since the advent Of Prince Ito japanese
dominance in Corea has steadily increased,