Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-27
TOXIC IN GLOOM.

Toxic, Oct 26.-Hirobumi Ito. a
prince of Japan, but the greatest COM
mOner in the empire, and for two years
the uncrowned ruler of Corea, who
above all stood between Corea and the
degradation of immediate annexation,
hoping to build up that country
anew, was assassinated by Coreans to-
day Just as he alighted from a special
| train at Hrbin. Mnchuria. to which he
f, went from Toxic in his capacity as
president of the Privy Council on u
mission of peace.
| Prior to his departure Prince Ito
said to The Associated Press:
| Il am going on my own initiative,
with the approval of my Emperor, with
! the hope of securing a better under
standing with China and of assuring
the world that Japan's intentions in
Manchuria are amicable to China and
, friendly to the commerce of all ma
! tions. When | return l hope to give
positive evidence of this
| Undoubtedly Prince Ito intended to
inaugurate and enforce a distinct poll
cy in Manchuria. but the exact nature
Of this was not disclosed. Marquis Kat
sura the premier and minister of fl
nnce, after the assassination, said i'll
an interview:
"The death of Prince Ito will not
change the policies of Japan. The pa
cific motives of Prince Ito will ever be
maintained and the traditions left by
him will always be followed"
The entire nation is mourning; the
flags on the foreign embassys 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
Empe ror could arouse similar demon
STATIONS of sympathy. Perhaps Prince
Itos death causes more universal sim
cerity and grief because he was IDOL
lied by the masses as the great coun-
sellor of the elder statesmen, the Gre
ator Of the cabinet and the friend Of
the Emperor himself.
The boy crown prince of Coreac is
reported to have been inconsOlabln
when the news of the assassination of
his aged grand tutor by Coreans was
broken to him. For the last two years
the crown prince had been a resident
of Hardin and the frequent compan-
ion of Prince Ito. who formed an at
lection for him which was warmly re
ciprocated. The fact that he was assas-
sinated by Coreans was especially
shocking to the youthful crown prince.
who was we'll informed as to Prince
Ito'S plans regarding Corea.
The posthiimouS honors have not
been announced but it is certain they
will be the highest in the gift of the
Emperor ana that the funeral will
equal that of a prince of the blood. y
warshp will bear the body to Yoko-
hama from Darf. 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
arranged.
The newspapers without exception
editorially express sympathy and hor-
ror at the act. pointing out that Prince
Ito was the Corean's best friend al
ways. 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 be
lief that the death of the prince will
have no immediate effect on the pol
lev toward Corea. but that Prince Itos
wishes and hopes will probably infiu-
cnce the policies of Japan for many
years to come.
Toxic. oct. 26-Gloom prevails in
the city following the receipt of the
news of the assassination of Prince
Ito at Hardin, Details were lacking
tonight and were eagerly awaited. 1t
is said that the prince received three
wounds
When the foreign Office received the
news 1t Immediately notified the MEM
bers of the cabinet, many of whom
FASTENED to the foreign office. These
included General Terauchi, the min
lister of war. The news spread quick
ly through the city and caused the
greatest depression.
TIE Princess Ito was notified of the
death of her husband at DISC. their
country home. Their son Hirokuni Ito
is in London. A younger son. Bun
kichi, is engaged to daughter of
Premier Katsura. The foreign office
is besieged bv inquirers, these includ-
ing all the diplomats accredited to
Japan and among whom the prince
was very popular.
The city is unusually quiet, the
Japanese appearing, to have been stun
ned by the tragedy The public gen
orally knows little Of the facts and