Arizona republican., 1919-07-16
KOREAN ATROCITIES
 TINGE WITH PRUSS|AN MILITARY SEVERITY
Investigating Committee e Confirms Reports of Bru- tai Treatment of Native Christians

Christians
 NEW YORK, July 15.-The follow ing statement concerning the situation in Korea was given out today by the commission on relations with the orient of the federal council of the churches of Christ in America, of which commission William l. Haven is chairman and Sidney L. Gulici is sec retary.
 "The reports of atrocities against the Korean population and especially against the native Christians that have been coming from Korea for several months are confirmed in abundant de tail by a special report about to be issued by the commission on relations with the orient of the federal council of the churches of Christ in America.
 "The commission wishes to make clear that while it has no jurisdiction to speak on the political issues at stake in Korea, yet as representing the Christian sentiment of a majority of American churches, it cannot remain silent when a defenseless people are made the victims of massacre and widespread brutality.
 After nearly three months study of the Korean situation, this commission is issuing a statement based on the examination of about 1000 pages of manuscript reports of committees, let ters and the personal accounts of re- sponsible eye witnesses to the events attending the Korean demonstrations in favor of national independence and their ruthless suppression by the Jap anese military government.
 Sword Emblem of Authority
 This report substantiates the charge that the Japanese colonial sys- tenn which has been forced upon the Koreans is thoroughly Prussian in it's military severity and it's treatment of the native population. Everywhere in Korea, it is stated the sword is the emblem of authority and even worn by male school teachers in the class room
 The recent movement for independ- ence was started by educated Koreans anxious to save the people of their country from national extinction and for the recovery of many of the ele- mental rights of justice, such as the use of their own language, freedom of the press, of speech and assembly which have been denied them by Japan.
 They hoped by peaceful demonstra- tions of passive resistance to the con- querors to attract the attention of the peace conference at Paris to their cause
 The invariable procedure of the so- called revolutionists was to assemble. usually carrying the national colors and shouting 'mansei' Equivalent to the Japanese 'banzai' or to our 'hur- rah'D In no case was anything more violent attempted. nor were arms borne by the revolutionists. Tn scores of cases these defenseless demonstrators were fired upon by Japanese troops and wounded by hundreds.
 In other instances. native high school students of both sexes who had joined the processions in behalf of Korean lib- erty, were imprisoned and tortured The stripping and beating of girl dem constructors and the brutal treatment of Korean women by Japanese soldiers were frequent, while bands of armed Japanese thugs were turned loose upon the Korean crowds
 From March 1 to April II, 361 Ko- , reans were known to have been killed and S60 wounded. Indignities to a few missionaries and especially the Arrest and imprisonment of the Rev. Eli Now ry are already well known in America The latest reports are to the effect that the arrest and torture of suspected per- sons by the police were continuing and that reign of terror prevailed.
 That the forbearing policy of the | federal councils commission has met With an appreciative response from thf | Japanese government is evident from the following cablegram just received | rom the Hon. Takashi Hara. premie, of the imperial cabinet:
 desire to assure you that the re- port of abuses committed by agents ot the Japanese government in Korea has been engaging my most serious atten- tion. l am fully prepared to look squarely at actual facts. As I have l declared on various occasions. the re. glme of administration inaugurated ir Korea at the time of annexation near. l " ten years ago, calls for substantial modification to meet the altered con. dltion of things. A comprehensiy, | pan or reorganization with this obiec In view has already been on the tapis
 In view, however, of the recent i'm. provement in the situation. the con. templated reform can now be. in m, esumatlon, safely introduced and vii be carried into effect as soon as tn. legal requirements of procedure tt make them definite shall have bee, completed"
 The commission also makes publi, part of cablegram from Viscoun Uehida, minister of foreign affairs il Tokio. wherein he confirm the assur ances of Premier Hara that the lattel is striving to remedy the Korean trou ble. The message thanks the Ameri cans for their cordial and friendl, spirit and asks for a continuance O their sane and moderate attitude"
 The inquiry was undertaken. tn, commission says. at the request of rep resentatives of the Presbyterian ant Methodist churches and the American Bible society. The Japanese govern ment was kept informed of the dis J closures