Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-08-17
KoREAN AssAssrN or rRIAL
Defense VIII BE on Ground Of Patri-
otto Insanity.


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17.-Wan
Chang, Korean, will be placed on
trial today for the murder Of Dur
ham White Stevens, adviser to the
Korean government. Mr.. Stevens
was shot by Chang on March 23 last.
The diplomat, who was the personal
representative OF the Korean emper-
or, is alleged to have aided Japan in
gaining control Of Korea, and Chang
declares that his act was an express
sion of patriotism"
1t Is understood that Chang's at
torneys, viii make plea of patriotic
insanity In behalf OF their client. Lo-
cal Korean sympathizers have raised
funds for his defense, and 1t is likely
that a long legal battle will be made
for his life.
Mr.. Stevens was shot as he was
about to board ferryboat in this
city enroute to Washington. He died
March 20, after the most hopeful re-
ports of his physicians for his re-
covery. Chang, the assassin, whose
first shots had seriously wounded M.
W. Chun, one of his associates, was
captured on the spot and has since
been held in jail awaiting trial.
Chang. Chun and, 1t is believed,
been apprehended lay in wait for
Mr., Stevens and, as he alighted from
an automobile at the ferry. one of the
Koreans walked up and struck him
vicious blow in the face. Mr.. Stew
ems started in pursuit of his assail-
ant, when Chang, who had a revolver
In his hand, covered by handker-
chief, began firing His first shot
struck Chun, his associate, and seri-
ously wounded him. Two more shots
were fired, both striking Mr.. Stevens,
one In the back near the right shout
der and the other several inches low
err, the bullet DETECTING and passing
through the abdomen. Japanese Con-
sui General Koike came to the rescue
of Mr.. Stevens, placed him in an auto
mobile and rushed him to the harbor
emergency hospital. Subsequently he
was taken to the st. Francis hospital,
where he died three days later.
Chang, who Is a diminutlve Kor-
can, 80 years old and who looks like
a boy of IS, declared he acted from
patriotic motives, believing, with
certain number of his countrymen in
this city, that Mr.. Stevens had been
instrumental in giving Japan control
in Korea. He has never expressed
any regret for his act and believes
he has done his country great
service.
Ample funds for his defense have
been provided by Koreans in this
country as well as In Korea.
Durham White Stevens had long
been prominent in oriental public life.
He was secretary of the United States
legation at Toxic ir 1873, subse-
quently becoming counselor to the
Japanese legation at Washington.
Thence he went to Toxic where, after
service in the foreign office, he be-
came a member of the commission
sent by Japan to Korea to adjust
difficulties which threatened to in
volve Japan and China in 1887.
Afterward he held various posts un-
der the Japanese government and en-
joyed the confidence of the emperor
and the highest government officers.
He was sent to Korea by the en-
peror of Japan after the Russo-Japa-
nese war and became the confidential
adviser of the Korean emperor, a
! post which he filled to the highest
satisfaction of both the Korean en-
peror and the Japanese government.
He was several times decorated by
the emperor of Japan.