Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-07-21
Rumor of Plot to Murder Members of
Old Cabinet.
FORMER EMPEROR IMPLICATED
Plan for Imperial Guard to Slay Men
Who Caused Abdication.
PEOPLE WARNED TO STAY INSIDE
BreastwOrks Built in streets Lead
ing to Palace and Machine
Guns Planted Behind
Them.

SEOUL, July 9O-The ceremonies attending
the ascension of the crown prince to the
throne were carried out at 10 o'clock this
morning. In response to requests eighty
Japanese and other officials, including Mar
outs Ito, with tsis military staff and many
consuls general were received in audience
at 4:3O p. m.
After the accession OF the crown prince
the former emperor took leave of the cab
met
General Hasegawa's troops still garrison
the palace and a regiment from Ping Ying
arrived at Seoul this morning to reinforce
the Twentieth regiment, already here.
This afternoon the riotors surrounding
the premier's residence were dispersed by
the Japanese police, with the assistance of
artillery. The premier sought refuge in the
palace, the other ministers going to the
Japanese residency general. The crack of
rifles continues to be heard and 1t is be-
leved a collision has occurred between
Japanese police and Corean soldiers II
Japanese troops attack the Coreans the
state of unrest will be aggravated.
People Warned to BE Quiet.
A proclamation was published this even
ing warning the people to remain in their
houses. At dusk machine guns were en-
trenched behind breastworks built in the
streets approaching the palace, in antici- |
patton OF a night attack.
Japanese troops are arriving here, but
they are too few in number to make any
attempt to disarm Corean soldiers feasible
and they are now confined to their bar
racks,
At the formal audience this afternoon
Marquis Ito was the first to be received.
He had a conversation with the former
emperor lasting ten minutes. The en-
peror is performing his duties in a purely
perfunctory manner. He is said to show
little strength Of character and the out
look for his administration of public af-
fairs Is not promising.
Alleged Plot Thwarted.
At 10 o'clock last night an alleged plot
was reported to Marquis Ito. He was told
that the imperial guard had been clandes-
timely ordered bg2sfhe former emperor TO
enter the palace at midnight and murder
the whole cabinet which was responsible
for his sbdication. This is the official ex-
PLANTATION OF the fact that the Japanese
are garrisoning the palace. The Corean
ministers OF war and Justice visited Mar
Quis Ito at II o'clock last night and de-
clared that the intrigue above mentioned
was about to be realized and prayed for
help. Marquis Ito. who had already re-
ceived the former emperor's petition ask
ing him to aid In subduing disorders, i'm
medately ordered General Hasegawa to
send troops to the scene. The soldiers ar
rived half an hour before the time of the
intended dash Of tho Corean general from
the barracks for the palace gate
Mob After Ministers.
A concentrated effort was made at 2 !
p. m. today Saturday to murder the en-
tire cabinet. After haranguing at the
temple of Heaven. a mob of 1900 marched
a mile to the mansion of Lwanyung, which
they sacked and burned. The same fate
was then visited upon the, homes of the |
prime minister and others.
The same mob then proceeded 10 the
home OF the minister OF war. near the old
palace. but here they were met by jap
anese guards. who repused the rioters, |
wounding and killing many.
Marquis Ito delayed his arrival at the
emperors audience an hour while the
foreign consuls general waited. He ap-
preached in great state and with heavy
guard especial precaution being taken, !
while passing the palace. where the sus-
pected battalion of Corean imperial guards
was closely interned in the barracks OF
the gate. The number of machine guns
was doubled, covering all the main ap-
proaches to the palace.
Troops are patrollIng the main streets
of the city in the face OF mob inhamed
to frenzy by students. The anger of the
Corean masses appears now to be directed
less against the Japanese than the Corean
ministers, all of whom they have vowed
TO kill. The situation appears to war
rant the proclaiming OF martial law, but
Ito, desirous OF avoiding interference ex-
cept to protect foreigners and the throne.
is exceedingly reluctant to resort to mill
tary rule. The environs of the American
and British consulates are guarded on ac-
count OF their proximity to the palace.
Emperor May Ask Protection.
United States Consul sammons late yes-
terday afternoon, in reply to Marquis Itos
offer of protection TO foreign consulates.
stated that he would leave the matter OF
protecting Americans to Ito's discretion,
as he was without information regarding
danger from mobs.
On account Of the fact that the American
consulate general adjoins the former en-
peror's private house, it is daily thought
that the ex-ruler will seek 1t as an asylum
Of safety. giving as a cause the presence
Of japanese troops for the alleged pur-
pose OF preventing his escape or a posi-
BILE accident. 1t is said, however, that
since November, 1905, the Coreans have
not hoped for American aid.
At 1880 o'clock last night General Case
garas troops garrisoned the palace and
were also stationed at all important
places. During the night the Ping Yang
regiment, said to be the best in the
Corean army, was disarmed on account OF
having furnished yesterdays mutineers
and also because It was suspected of plot
ting TO capture the palace in an attempted
coup d'etat. The students OF the military
school are reported to have attempted to
collect military supplies on a hill over
looking the city. The COrean army Is
widely distributed over the country and
is not feared. Yesterdays disorder ex-
tended to the suburbs for a distance Of
two miles, where a station master on the
Chemulpo railway is reported 10 have been
killed.
An oficial report this morning states