The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-10-26
Foremost Statesman OF
Japan Is Shot in
ManChurla.
CONSUL GENERAL AND TWO
OTHERS HIT BY BULLETS
Murderer, a Korean, Arrested,
Declares His Purpose Was
to Avenge His Country.

HARDIN, Manchuria, Oct. 26--Prince
Hirobumi Ito, former Japanese presi-
dent-General OF Korea and probably ia
PANS foremost statesman, was assas-
sinated here today by Korean. who
had followed him here for the express
purpose of killing him.
The motive OF the assassin was re-
venge. The assassin was arrested.
Almost Immediately on hia arrival
here and just as Prince Ito left the rail-
road car at the station abe attack Was
made upon him. The venerable states
man, accompanied by Russian Minister
of Finance Kolovsoff, was starting to
inspect the guard or honor drawn up
along the platform when pistol shot
was heard.
Several plore shots were fred In quick
succession. the bullets striking the
prince in the back.
Prince Ito fell mortally wounded.
Three of the princes companions also
were wounded, bullets striking Japa-
nese Consul General Hawaiian, General
Manager Tannaka, of tho South Man.
churian Railway, and Prince Itosprivats
secretary. Consul General Hawaiian n
badly, but not fatally injured. II Is bs-
| lieved.
The assassin was promptly seised. On
being questioned he said he was . Kos
rean.
II came to Harbin for the sole pur,
pose of assassinating Prince Ito to
avenge my country" the slayer told his
! captors. He also said he had q per-
sonai account to settle with the great
| Japanese statesman, who, during hlc
stay In Korea. had ordered the execiiA
tion of several persons closely cuta-
nected with the assassin.
| Prince Ito was perhaps the greatest
| statesman of the new Japan lAs
achievement with which his name has
been chiefly associated in the minds OF
occidentals was the framing of the i'm
perial constitution by virtue OF which
Japan took her. place for the first time
In the rank of modern civilized states.
AS the enlperor's trusted advisor ana
the medium through which the state
was placed on a constitutional basis
| he must be regarded as one or the
positive factors which have helped to
win for Japan her present standing
among nations.
He was 6s years old. 1t was in 1858
that he made his celebrated pilgrimage
to England at q time when II was
against the laws Of his country TO go
abroad, and the penalty for infringe-
ment was death. Nevertheless, IN
spired by patriotic feeling and desire
to learn the secret of occidental gu
premacy he undertook the trip which
proved so beneficial TO his country
later OH.
Prince Ito visited the United States
In 1870 as a commissioner to invest.~
gate the financial and banking sys-
TENS On his return to Japan he was
appointed vice-ninister of public
works. In 1880 he negotiated with Ll
Hung Chang on the Korean question
and concluded the treaty which formed
the basis of Japan's justification for
her war with China in 1894. Later he
negotiated a treaty of peace with
China and at the close of the war was
made a marquis
| After the Japanese War he
was resident general in Korea in whien
capacity he became the object Of hatred
Of the Koreans.
Prince Ito. who was president OF the
Prlvy Council of Japan, left Toxic Oc-
tober 10 for tour Of Manchurta- He
was to have arrived at Hardin TO-DAY,
where he was to have met M. Kokoy-
soft, the Russian minister of finance
/ xarnrF ~ -
behest of Japan. and Russian and for
eign diplomats had attached great inn
portance to 1t. although the exact mo-
tives impelling Japan to propose the
conference we're not known.
The subjects to be discussed were not
suggested In the Japanese overtures,
and NJ Kokovsoff, II was said. had
barred political questions. He said
that he was competent to discuss only
financial and technical subjects, these
covering the status of the Manchurian
railroads.
In some quarters 1t was believed thai
the tour OF Prince Ito in Manchuria
was to have been of u political nature
and that 1t had as basis an attempt
to forestal1 the protests OF the powers
against Russia's domination of the
Manchurian railway zone under her
agreement with China by effecting a
complete understanding between JapaD
and China. 1t has been stated that
China had sent several high officials to
Harbin to confer with Prince Ito.
Prince Ito spent Saturday and sun
day at Mukden. where he had confer
ences with Hsi Liang. the viceroy.
Notice TO Taxpayers.
Taxes for the year 1909 are payable
at my Office from October 20. 1909. II