The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-21
LOCAL SELF RULE
GRANTED IN COREA
Reforms Looking Toward
Permanent Home Government
Announced by Japan.
CLASS PRIVILEGE ENDS
Baron Saito and Midzumo
Placed in Charge Of
Province.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2o.-Local self
government for Corea and reforms look
ing toward home rule are announced In
an imperial rescript issued yesterday in
Toxic and received here to-day at the
Japanese Embassy.
The military Government has been
displaced and succeeded by a civil one.
The military gendarmerie. 30 much
under criticism Of late. is to be re-
placed by a civilian police foroe en-
tirely under civilian control. A system
of village and town municipal govern
ment based on popular suffrage also is
to be undertaken.
Possibly most important of ALL from
the Corean point OF view, the rescript
by the Emperor of Japan provides that
Coreans shall have the same privileges
and legal rights as japanese. Hereto
fore Japanese have been a privileged
class.
Baron Saito, former Minister Of State
and one of the best known Of Japanese
statesmen, becomes Governor-GeneraL
succeeding Marshal Hasegawa. Mr..
Midzumo former Minister OF Interior in
the Kato Cabinet, succeeds Director
General Yamagata in administration.
The executive orders carrying into eff
feet the Emperor's rescript were issued
to-day in Toxic, but have not yet been
received here. They are outlined, how
ever, in a statement Premier Hara
cabled to this country.
Rescript of Emperor.
The Emperor's rescript follows: 1--WE
have ever made It our aim to promote
the security and welfare of our territory
~ M 70 30 he iva
population of that territory as our be-
loved subjects a fair and impartial treat
ment in all respects, to the end that
they may without distinction of persons
lead their lives in peace and in con-
tentment. We are persuaded that the
stage of development at which the gen.
eral situation has now arrived calls for
certain reforms In the administrative
organization of the governmentAgeneral
of Corea and we issue our imperial COM
mand that such reforms be put into
operation.
Tho measures thus taken are solely
designed to facilitate the working of
administration and to secure good and
enlightened government in pursuance OF
our settled policy and In fulfillment of
the altered requirements of the country.
I'VE call upon all the public function
aries concerned to exercise their best
order that benign rule may be assured
to Corea and that the people, diligent
and happy In attending to their respect
I've vocations may enjoy the blessings
of peace and contribute to the growing
prosperity of the country"
Premier Hara in his statement said
Nearly ten years have elapsed since
Corea was Incorporated into the Empire
OF Japan, and, In view of significant
changes which have meanwhile pre-
sented themselves in the conditions of
the country plan of various reforms
in the Corean administrative system has
Tor some time been engaging my at
tention. ~
Unfortunately in March last disturb
ances broke out in several parts of the
peninsula which for obvious reasons
have retarded the introduction of the
contemplated reforms. 1t is much
TO be regretted they gave birth
to wild and baseless representations
some of which even went so far as to
make new stories out of old incidents
antedating the annexation.
Being determined to be perfectly
Just and fair in the conduct of affairs
connected with the recent uprisings, the
Government will admit no excuse for
any culprit whether he be a Govern
ment official or a private citizen.
System of ReorRa ntzation.
I'm proceeding TO the reorganization
OF the system of the government-gen-
eral of Corea I regret to announce the
resignation of Marshal Hasegawa, Gov
ernor-General, and of Yamagata, Direc-
tor-General Of Administration. =.
To I'LL the vacancies caused by their
retirement Baron Saito and Mr.. Mid
zuno have now been appointed respec-
lively as Governor-General and Director
General of Administration.
g. II should be noted that the
existing administrative system of Corea
Is not meant to be of permanent and
unalterable nature but that 1t embodies
provisional arrangements calculated to
meet the passing needs OF the transitory
period until the final goal Is reached.
TN pursuance of this policy the Gov
eminent are now decided to carry out
various reforms in Corea, and 1t is their
fixed determination to forward the prog
fees OF the country. A great deal must
necessarily depend upon the efforts of
- Coreans toward their own upllftment
Il am well aware that the system OF
gendarmery prevailing in Corea is be-
ing made subject of criticism at home
and abroad, but l would call attention
to the fact that the Institution origi-
mated in attempts to meet the exigencies
of the situation under the regime of
ResidentSGenerallnd was never intended
to be placed under the control OF local
governors In q manner similar to that
which obtains in Japan proper, except in
districts where conditions made immedi-
etely elimination inadvisable. 1t is not
possible at this moment to make any
further announcement on the details of
the contemplated reforms, which 1t re-
mains for the newly appointed authori-
ties to work out.
CFEYc HETTTT0Nc E0p UATcrp