Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-10-26

daTDlIl, ManCHur1d, OcC. 2o.-PrlnCo
Hirobumi Ito, former Japanese presi-
dent general of Korea, and probably
Japan's foremost statesman. was as
sassinated here this afternoon (Tues-
day. by a Korean who had followed
him here for the express purpose OF
killing him. The motive was revenge.
The assassin was arrested.
Almost immediately on arrival here
and just as Ito left the railroad car at
the station the attack was made upon
him. The venerable statesman, ac-
companied by the Russian minister of
finance, Kokovsoff, was starting to in
spect the guard of honor drawn up
along the platform when a pistol shot
was heard. Several more shots were
ired in quick succession, the bullets
striking the prince in the back Ito
fell, mortally wounded.
Companions Wounded.
Three Of the princes companions
also were wounded, bullets striking
Japanese Consul General Hawaiian.
General Manager Tannaka, of the
South Mauchurian railway, and Prince
tics private secretary. Hawaiian was
badly, but not fatally, injured, it is be-
tieved:
The assassin was promptly seized
On being questioned he said he was a
Korean.
Slayer Boasts Of Crime.
II came to Harbin for the sole pur-
pose of assassinating Ito to avenge my
country" the slayer told his captors
He also said he had a personal account
to settled with the great Japanese
statesman, who, during his stay ir
Korea, had ordered the execution OF
several persons closely connected with
the assassin.
An Organized Plot.
The assassination Of Ito appears t
have been the outcome of an organized
plot The local authorities, who, anti.
cipating the arrival of Ito, were on th'
lookout for suspicious characters, yes
terday arrested three Koreans VIII,
were at the station and found to b.
armed with revolvers. However, tn
task Of guarding the prince was rem
dered difficult by reason of Hawaiian
request that the railway officials per
NIT all Japanese to enter the station t
greet the prime. The police point ou
was that it was quite impossible to dis
tinguish Koreans from Japanese b
their appearance.
Many Others Endangered.
Russian Minister of Finance Kokov
soft and the Russian military authori
ties accompanying Ito We're exposed t
the same danger from flying bullets a
was the prince Indeed Kokovsoff wa
nearer the Japanese envoy at the tim
of the shooting than were those wh
were wounded. Had the assassin de
layed the shooting for a moment tn
foreign consuls would have been
much danger, as Ito was approachin
them and they would have been d
rectly in the line of fire.
The body of the slain statesman a
ready has been removed homewar
The casket, before it was placed upo
the train, was covered with flower
sent by Kokovsoff and Russian ar
Japanese officials. The Russian an
hassador to Pekin is accompanying tt
body to Kwanchingtsu. All along IL
railroad line honors are being shown IL
dead statesman. Minister Kokovsc
telegraphed condolences to the Jal
anese government.
Hit BY Three Bullets.
It'll had stepped from the train al
was acknowledging the noisy WELDON
Of the people when suddenly sever
shots rang out and Ito fell pierced
three bullets, and died within TWEEN
minutes without regaining consciou
ness. The assassin stood defiantly
the crowd, revolver in hand. and wi
two Korean companions, was arreste
AS the police pounced upon the thr
Koreans the one who did the shoots
proclaimed himself as the avenger
his country. Very soon after death t
body of Ito was made ready for 7
moval to his home and placed upon
railroad train