Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-07-19
EMPEROR
ABDICATES
KOREAN MONARCH WILL GIVE UP
HIS THRONE
CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE
THIS MORNING
Much Unrest Prevails About Palace,
and Crowd Assaults Office Of
Daily Paper, but Is
Dispersed

| By Associated Press
TOXIC. July ia dispatch from
Seoul says that the emperor convened
the elder statesmen at / o'clock this
afternoon
The cabinet members waited in an
adjoining room while the emperor con-
ferred with the elder statesmen.
After a two hours conference his
majesty. finally yielded and made up
| his mind to abdicate.
| 1t was decided to hold the abdica-
| tion ceremony at 10 o'clock this
| morning.
Much unrest prevails about the pail
ace and at another place a crowd of
1000 is assembled.
portion of this crowd assaulted the
office of the Daily Kokumin, but the
mob was dispersed before heavy dam
age was inflicted.
Expresses Regret
Briefly the emperor in the imperial
rescript of abdication expresses his re-
gret that during the forty-four years
OF his reign national calamities have
followed in rapid succession and the
peoples distress become so aggravated
that he deemed it now time to transfer
the crown to the heir apparent in con-
formity with ancestral usage.
1t is reported that a most dramatic
scene occurred at the palace Thursday
night when the ministers, headed by
Premier vi Wang Yong, appeared be-
fore his majesty and made the cabinets
final representation in urging the en-
peror's abdication.
His majesty was in a high state OF
excitement, but the premier in the most
humble but firm tone dwelt at length
upon the want of precaution and pru-
dence of the emperor's policies hither-
to, especially in diplomatic affairs
whereby he was endangering the safety
of the nation
The premier enumerated the facts of
his majesty's duplicities which culmi-
mated in the dispatch of a deputation
to The Hague peace conference and
forcibly reasoned the uselessness OF the
emperor's disavowal of his relations
with The Hague affair.
Calls Elder Statesmen
Unable to successfully combat the
logic of the premier's representation
the emperor sought last refuge in the
council of elder statesmen. doubtless
| anticipating their sympathies.
The council Immediately convened
Four elders quickly responded and APP
| peared before his majesty at l o'clock
| this (Friday) morning.
The emperor's disappointment and
| surprise was boundless when they
unanimously agreed with the ministers
advice.
| His majesty's mind was finally made
IN and he consented to the draft of an
| imperial rescript announcing his abdl-
cation which was placed before him Tor
his signature.
The emperors condition was inde-
scribable Greatly agitated and per-
turbed. he signed the document and the
seal was affixed amid impressive ST.
lence. A suppressed sigh from the em-
neror was the only sound which broke
the deathlike stiffness that reigned
throughout the memorable scene.
Scott, via Toxic. July 1s.-Marquis
ITO visited the emperor at 5:30 o'clock this
afternoon in response to the emperor's
plea.
After two weeks obstinate seclusion
and silence the emperor late yesterday
sent court officers to Marquis Ito with
message that inasmuch as both were
worried over the presence of the Korean
deputation at The Hague, he therefore
begged the resident general to come TO
the palace.
MARQUIS Ito's first reply sent this morn
ing asked for an audience two or three
days hence, after the arrival of Foreign
Minister Hayashi from Toxic.
The emperor replied that he would wait
all today for Marquis Ito's coming:
At the residency-generala an authorita-
tive statement of the cabinets action last
night was given out
It stated that the cabinet recommended
that the emperor retire and leave the
throne to the crown prince. The emperor
did not reply but convened the cabinet
for this afternoon.
MARQUIS Ito says that the cabinet is
acting on it's own initiative and without a
knowledge of Japan's plans or desires
This morning leading cabinet minister
declared that the emperor's resolution was
wholly unshaken at the close of last
nights session and the minister was hope
less of the cabinets power to influence
the emperor today.
Emperor Pleads for Help
The audience of Marquis Ito with the
emperor of Korea lasted one hour.
1t is reported that the emperor APP
pealed imploringly to the former to help
save Korea from her present complica-
ton in a manner satisfactory to Japan
and without doing anything derogatory
to the Korean court.
MARQUIS Ito, it is said, carefully avoid
ed making any definite reply and retired
without committing himself.
Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi ar
rived late last evening, received a hearty
welcome and drove Immediately to Mar
quis Ito's residence.
A number of Koreans calling them
selves elder statesmen of Korea have
sent a long letter to Marquis Ito, inti-
mating that Japan would receive their
support in fair dealing toward the en-
peror, but failing that they would die a
martyrs death and that the whole ma
tion would do likewise.
They denied that the court was Inn
plicated in the sending of the delegation
to The Hague.
It is believed that the cabinet minis
ters again proceeded to the palace late
last night for the purpose of further
urging the emperor to abdicate.
Experts Find Shortage