New-York tribune., 1919-08-21
Mandate of Emperor Looks
Toward Autonomous Re-
gime With Same Foot
ing as Japan Proper
Saito Governor General
Cendarmerie To Be Abol-
ished and Order Intrusted
to Local Police Bodies
NeU York Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureau

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2O.-Reforms
in the government of Corea looking
toward home rule for that province
and it's eventual establishment on the
same footing with Japan proper are
announced in an imperial rescript is
sued yesterday in Toxic, and made
public to-day by the Japanese En-
bassy here.
Part of the reforms have already
been put into effect and others are
under way.
In altering the administration of
the province, which was annexed ten
years ago, Japan purposes
To displace the military govern
ment with a civil one.
To replace the Japanese gcndar-
merle with a Corean police force
under control of the local govern
ment.
To obliterate differences between
Corea and Japan in matters of edu-
cation, industry and civil service.
To establish system of provin-
cial and municipal autonomy based
on popular suffrage.
Saito Is Made Governor
In proceeding with the reorganiza-
tion the Japanese Emperor announced
the appointment of Baron Saito, form
er Minister of State, as Governor Gen
eral of Corea, to succeed Marshal
Hasegawa. Mr. Midzuno, former Min
lister of Interior in the Kato cabinet
was named Director General of Ad-
ministraton, succeeding Mr.. Yamagata
The statement from the emperor
transmitted to this country by Premier
Hara, reads in part:
"We have ever made it our aim ia
promote the security and welfare Of
our territory of Corea and to extend
to the native population of that terri
tory fair and impartial treatment in
all respects. We are persuaded that
the stage of development at which the
general situation has now arrived calls
for certain reforms in the administra-
tive organization of the government
general of Corea, and we issue ou,
imperial command that such reforms
be put into operation.
Equality With Japanese
"The 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 fulfilment
Of the altered requirements of the
country.
"Corea is united geographically with
the main island of Japan and the two
peoples are closely related to each
otner IN race. manner, customs ano
sentiments. No distinction or in
equality should be allowed to exist be
tween them as loyal Subjects of the
clally or otherwise.
"The governments are now decided
to carry out various reforms in Corea
and it is their fixed determination tc
forward the progress of the country in
order that all differences between
Corea and Japan proper in matters OF
education, industry and of the civil
service may finally be altogether oblit-
Grated. The government is. more
over, confidently looking forward tc
the eventual adoption in Corea of a
system of provincial and municipal
administration similar to that in ope-
cation in Japan proper, so far as cir
cumstances will permit.
Will Abolish Gendarmerie,
81 am we'll aware that the system of
gendarmerie prevailing in Corea is be-
ing made a subject of criticism at
home and abroad, but I would call at
tention to the fact that the insttu-
lioh originated /" dtleiuPlS 10 meet
the exigencies of the situation under
the regime of residents general. and
was never intended u be a permanent
arrangement.
ut is now proposed to have gen
damerie replaced by force of police
to be placed under the control of local
governors in manner similar to that
which obtains in Japan proper, except
in districts where conditions make i'm
mediate elimination inadvisable.
"'To sum up, it may be stated chat
Corea and Japan proper, forming
equally integral parts Of the same en-
pire, no distinction should in principle
be made between them, and that it is
the ultimate purpose of the Japa ese
government in due course to treat
Corea as in all respects on the same
footing with Japan proper"