The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-27
Killed As He AIighted from Train At Aarbin In Man.
 ChuTia
HE CAME ID COUNTRY
 ON PEACEFUL MISSION
All Classes in Japan Are in Mourning for Great Man-The Assassin Promptly Captured and Confess
 es Crime, Giving Reasons.

Tokio. October 26.-Hirobumi Ito prince of Japan but the greatest com moner in the empire and for two years the uncrowned ruler of Corea who, hop ing to rebuild that country stood be- tween Corea and the degradation of inn mediate annexation, was assassinated by Coreans today just as he alighted from a special train at Harbin, Manchuria, to which place he went from Toko in his capacity as president of the priyy coun- cil on a mission of peace.
 Prior to his departure Prince Ito said to the Associated Press:
 T am going against my own initiative with the approval of the Emperor, with the hope of securing a better understand ing with China and of assuring the world that Japan's intentions In Manchuria are amicable to China and friendly to the commerce of all nations. When l return l hope to give positive evidence of this.' Undoubtedly Prince Ito intended to in- augurate and enforce a distinct policy in Manchuria but the exact nature of this was not disclosed. Marquis Katsura, the premier and minister of f1nance after the assassination, said in an interview;
 Result of Death.
 "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 all ways be followed.
 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 aban- doned. The Japanesa and foreign news papers appear with black borders. Only A.. oTn n1IQA similar universally sincere grief because he was idolized by the masses as the great counsellor of the elded statesmen, the creator of the cabinet and the friend of the Emperor himself
 The boy crown prince of Corea is re- ported to have been inconsolable when the news of the assassination of his aged tutor by Coreans was broken to him. For the last two years the crown prince has been resident of Japan and the ire auent companion of Prince Ito, who formed an affection for him which was warmly reciprocated. The fact that ne was assassinated by Coreans was espe- cially shocking to the youth, who was we'll informed as to the princes plans regarding Corea-
 Posthumous Honors.
 The posthrmous honors have not yet been announced, but it is certain that they will be the highest in the gift Of
 
 equal that of a prince of the blood warship will bear the body to Yoko- hama from Dairen probably arriving a week hence. The grand chamberlain will accompany the body with a naval and military guard of honor. No details or the funeral have yet been arranged.
 The newspapers without exception editorially express their horror at the net pointing out that Prince Ito was corea's best friend always, even In the face of opposition at home. He looked for the regeneration of Corea and endeavored 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 opin ion that the death of the prince will have no immediate effect upon the policy toward Corea, but that Prince Ito's wishes and hopes probably will influence the policies of Japan for many years.