The sun., 1919-09-05
JAPS ANNOUNCE
COREAN REFORMS
Free Speech and Village Au-
tOnOmy Among Them, Says
Admiral SaitO.
By the Associated Press.

TOXIC. August 81 tdelayed) On the
| eve of his departure for Seoul Admiral
| Baron Minoru Saito. res atty appointed
Gcvernor-General of Corea. announced
In an exclusive statement to the Asso-
ciated Press some OF the things he hoped
to accomplish during his term of office.
The old method of punishment In Corea.
he said. would be abolished the right of
free speech would be granted. and a
Corean autonomous government in vii
lagos and districts would be instituted,
with the eventual goal of Corean repre-
sentation in the Japanese Diet
Admiral Saito is a typical naval Of
| fcer-affable, frank and kindly. He
gives the impression of liberality and
observation-disclosures. He speaks English
readily and well.
Disclosing important reforms to the
correspondent. he said he wished the
American people to feel that his ad-
ministration, backed by the home Gov
eminent and unequivocally recognizing
any mistakes in the past, would in the
future be based on the principle \of
governing Corea I'm the interest of the
Coreans and keeping progress with the
age.
Much has been said about our as
similating the Coreans," he continued.
"All I ask Is that the Coreans be loyal
subjects of the Japanese Empire. It
would be absurd to think of destroying
the ancient Corean language and GUS
toms. We shall continue to offer Jap
anese education. but there will be no
coercive attempts to crush out the
Corean spirit and traditions, or legiti-
mate aspirations.
MY aim is to allow the Coreans
peacefully and happily to develop them
selves until ultimately they become the
equals of the people of Japan proper
in all that touches social and political
rights.
1T promise 10 abolish all forms of dis
elimination whatsoever. In addition to
the abolition of the gendarmerie. the UNI
popular gold braids and swords worn
by officials will be discontinued, and
able Coreans will be given official APP
pointments, promotion and fair treat
ment on, the same basis as the Japanese.
All the people will be given impartial
Justice"
The correspondent particularly men,
toned that f1ogging and alleged ex-
cesses. which as shown by photographs
of some OF the persons who underwent
this punishment caused comment abroad,
appeared to be out of place in a civil
lized country like Japan, Admiral Saito
pointed out that flogglng had only been
discontinued in japan forty years ago.
He was convinced that 1t should be Inn
mediately abolished in Corea. and the
Home Government had agreed to this.
IT shall issue an edict for its aboli-
tion," he added, "as soon as i get set
tied in Seoul"
Concerning representation in the
Japanese Diet, he said that this nat
urally depended on how the Coreans de-
veloped fitness in exercising local au-
tonomy. II rightfully utilized he be-
lieve6 the Japanese Government would
later permit Corea to send representa-
tives to the Diet. He personally pre-
ferred this to the institution of a sepa-
rate Corean Diet.
I'VE must advance in this gradually"
he went on. 81 have no idea of playing
to the gallery, but have sincere de-
sire to eradicate evils and correct blum
ders. Especially the Coreans must feel
they have the right to speak out; the
poorest as well as the richest Corean
can always come to my door and tell
me his troubles and desires. The right
OF free speech will exist I shall toll
crate no arbitrary interference with
the freedom OF the press or associations
only asking that the newspapers or
meetings shall not endanger peace and
order. That will be the basis of any
censorship of Corean newspapers which
will be permitted to issue.
"All formality, superfciality and red
tapeism will be avoided. Reforms will
De inaus urated IN education, industry.
police affairs and sanitary and social
works, and new features win be intro
duced to promote popular contentment.
81 am great admirer OF the old
Corean civilization and intend to en-
courage and promote the study Of
Corean manners. traditions. literature