The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-27
Korea's nest Frieud.

~"Pe seeA esAcs ~AfAsee Soh""'s
 Korea's Best Friend.
 Tokio, Oct. 26.-Hirobumi Ito. a prince of Japan, but the greatest com moner in the Empire. and for two years the uncrowned ruler of Korea, who. hoping to rebuild that country. stood between Korea and the desrada- tion of immediate annexation, was as- sassinated by Koreans today just as he alighted from a special train at Harbin. Manchuria, to which place he went from Tokio in hIs capacity as president of the Privy Council. on a mission of peace.
 Prior to his departure. Prince Ito said to the Associated Press:
 T am going against my own initia- tive. with the approval of my Elm peror. with the hope of securing bet ter understanding with China and of assuring the world that .Japan's inten- tions in Manchuria are amicable to China and friendly to the commerce of all nations. When I return hope to give a positive evidence of this."
 Undoubtedly Prince. Ito Intended to inaugurate and enforce a distinct pol icy in Manchuria but the exact nature of this was not disclosed.
 Marquis Katsura. the Premier and Minister of Finance. after the assas ssi- nation said In an interview:
 "The death of Prince Ito will not change the policies of Japan. The pacific motives of Prince Ito will ever be maintained and the traditions left by him will always be followed
 Japan In Mourning.
 The entire nation Is in mourning; the flags on the foreign embassies have been placed at half mast, while all public and many private functions have been abandoned. The Japanese and foreign newspapers appear with black borders. Only the death of the Em- tiens of sympathy.
 Perhaps Prince Ito's death caused even more universally sincere grief. because he was idolized by the masses as the great counsellor of the elder statesmen, the creator of the Cabinet and the friends of the Emperor him. self.
 The boy crown prince of Korea is re- ported to have been inconsolable when the news of the assassination of his aged tutor by Koreans was broken to him. For the last two years the crown prince has been 8 resident of Japan and the frequent companion of Prince Ito. who formed an affection for him which was warmly reciprocated. The fact that he was assassinated by Ko- reans. was especially shocking to the youth. who was well informed as to the prince's plans regarding Korea.
 The posthumous honors have not yet been announced, but 1t Is certain that they win be the highest in the gift of the Emperor and that the funeral will equal that of a prince of the blood. A warship will bear the body to Yok- ohama Srom Dairen, probably arriving a week hence. The Grand Chamberlain will accompany the body, with naval and military guard of honor. No de- tails of the funeral have yet been ar ranged.
 The newspapers without exception edttorially express their horror at the act, pointing out that Prince Ito was Korea's best friend always, even in the face of opposition at home. He looked for the regeneration of Korea and en- deavored to alleviate the evils of it's condition.
 Intimate friends of the murdered statesman are too stunned to discuss the situation, but they are of the be- lief that the death Of he Prince will have no immediate effect on. the policy toward Korea, but that Prince Ito's wisiless and hopes -prosahly will infiu. ence the policy of Japan for many years.
 Significance of Death.
 Washington, Oct. 26-Official Wash ington was shocked at the news of the assassination of Prince Ito. The Japanese embassy here was plunged into mourning. officials of the State Department expressed great sorrow for the taking of of so distinguished a parsonage as Prince Ito. whom they la4 ( kt,~ n( the worlds statesmen.
 Despite denial from Tokio that Prince Ito's tour was political, it has been made apparent that he was in- trusted with several most important missions by the Mikado. the foremost being an attempt to forestall the pro- test of America and the other powers by effecting a more complete under standing with China.
 Prince Ito played an important part In the framing of the recent treaty be- tween Japan and China relating to railway construction in Manchnria. The treaty was concluded August 31, and has been considered bv many di- plomats a violation Of the treaty of peace concluded between Japan and Russia after the war. Japan, in the face of her Portsmouth pledge not to .obstruct any measures that China might take fer the development of commerce and industry Jn Manchuria. forced a specific pledge from China not to build a railroad from Hsinnmin- tun north without Japan's consent.
 Another significant provision is that, should China build the Kirin railway east. she must borrow half the required capital from Jaoan. thus in- suring Japanese control of an import ant branch from Japan's main 4ine to- ward vladivostock. China was com pel1ed to transfer the Taischago New Chwang line to Japan.
 Japan also refused to discuss the ab- sorptian of sovereignty along the South Manchurian railway. which is fur greater than ever charged against Russia. Her attitude was in glaring contrast with Russia's recognition of China's sovereign right in the recent Harbin agreement.
 The officials of the Japanese embas- sy here today were quick to draw a parallel between the killing of Prince Ito and the assassination Tn San Fran cisco about year and half ago of
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