The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-27

Hardin Manchuria. oct. 26.-Prince Hi
rombumi Ito. the best known Japanese
statesman. met his death at the hands Of
an assassin at the railway station here
a. Q o'clock this morning.
lie had come to Hardin for the purpose
OF holding a conference with NJ. kokov-
soft. Russian minister of finance, in re-
gard TO the general railway situation In
Manchuria. and had just descended from
his railway carriage when he was shot.
A considerable crowd had gathered at
the station. and they gave him rather
demonstrative welcome as he stepped onto
the platform. Prince Ito. smiling and
bowling. had acknowledged their welcome,
and was engaged in conversation with the
japanese consul general here and the
president of the South Manchurian Rail
way.
Half Dozen Shots.
The little party had just started to meet
NJ. Kokovsof, who was standing short
distance away, when suddenly a hair
dozen revolver shots were fired by some
one in the crowd Instantly there was
the greatest confusion. Many Of the
crowd rushed away in fear. while others
crowded upon the platform, in spite of
tho officials to drive them back.
Before the sound Of the shooting had
died away Prince Ito toppled over and
fell 20 the platform unconscious. Doc
tors were hastily summoned. When they
made an examination they found that
three bullets had penetrated the prince >
abdomen, and they declared there was
absolutely no hope Of saving HIS life
They advised against moving him, and
twenty minutes later, without regaining
consciousness the prince died
Meanwhile the police present made a
rush at the man who had done the firing.
They had no difficulty I'm getting him. FOR
after shooting he made no attempt 20
escape, but, with the stiU smoking weapon
I'm his hand, stood calmly waiting 10 be
arrested, Two other men who were with
him stood quietly beside him until the
police also took them into custody.
Police Seized Assassin.
When the police seized the assassin. he
exclaimed he had come TO Hardin from
Korea for the express purpose Of killing
Prince Ito. because while the prince was
resident general in Korea he had caused
The execution Of several Of the assassin
relatives.
Neither the assassin nor his COMPANIONS
betrayed the least excitement. The lat
ter, who are also Koreans. admitted thar
they had aided in the assassination. be-
cause Of the wrongs Japan had inflicted
upon their country. They had no person.
al animosity against Prince Ito. but
abetted his assassination simply for pa
triotic motives.
The prisoners were Jailed. They will he
tried by japanese courts. as. although
the crime WIS committed I'm Nanchuria.
all Koreans. since their country was
seized by the japanese courts. arc under
japanese jurisdiction.
At first all attention was directed N
the dying prince. but later q was learned
three others OF his party. his private sec
Rotary, NJ kewalan, the Japanese consul
general, and NJ. Tanaka, general manage
Of the South Mlnchurian Railway had
been hit by the assassin's bullets An
three were badly wounded, but the dor-
tors think their injuries will not prove
fatal
Extra Precautions Taken.
The police had taken extra precautions
70 guard Prince Ito. and special orders
had been given TO lookout for Koreans
as il was well known there were many Of
them IN Mauchuria. and they were very
bitter toward Prince Ito and all other
Japanese. Their precautions were set al
naught however, by the fact that fl was
impossible 70 distinguish Koreans I'm the
crowd of japanese who were admitted
70 the station 10 receive the Japanese
representative. their racial appearance
being SO similar
Immediately after the death of Prince
Ito his body was placed in a coffin and
put on train for conveyance 10
Tokyo. The Russian and japanese Off