Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-16
PASSPORT TO
PARIS DENIED
TO DR.: CHUNG
Permission Refused University
Of Nebraska Graduate
to Plead for Korean
Independence.
By UNIVERSAL SERVICE.

New York. March 1s.-"Risht
now Japan has an economic stransle
hold upon Korea, the Alsace-Lor-
raine Of the east It can annihilate
the Korean people by Tightening
this strangle hold without blood
she'd like the mediaevai-iron
woman who crushed her victim
without shedding a drop OF blood"
a wiry little Korean who left his
native isle when it was still inde-
pendent, and who has lived in Amer
lea for IA years and won honors in
American universities, thus gave
voice today to the cause OF his
copntrymen. He is DIR. Henry
Chung American representative OF
the Korean National association,
who has Just lost a desperate battle
with passport red tape and diplo-
matte rules to go to Paris and rep
resent Korea's case at the peace
conference.
Refused Passport.
1 would rather be a maa without
a country than a subject of the
japanese emperor" was his plea to
the State department., and with that
status, as "a man without a coun-
try he pleaded for a special per-
init to leave the country, willing to
take his own chances when he got
to France. He was told that, being
a Korean and Korea being part of
Japan, lie must have permission
from Japan first. This he could not
obtain Upon his fervent pleas
Acting Secretary OF State Polk sent
a cable to Secretary OF State Lans-
ing at Paris, whose answer, accord
ing to DR. Chung was, III substance,
that 1T would be unfortunate for
Korean representatives TO come 10
Paris at this time"
Associated with DR.. Chung in
the vain effort to 20 to Paris was
DR.. Singman Rhee, graduate of Har-
ward aud alumnus OF Princeton and
a personal friend Of President Will
son Or. Chung is a graduate of the
University Of Nebraska and has
fellowship in Northwestern universe
iy being now on leave from that in
stitution to pursue his fight for ko-
rean independence.
Nebraska Student
DR.. Chung was the FIRST person in
this country to learn OF the declara-
ton of Korean independence on
March l. before the world had an
mixing OF the alleged Japanese
eruelties since reported from Pekin,
one report telling Of Korean stu
dents being stripped and tied to
crosses. Today Or. Chung received
this exclusive information of the
Korean situation. -.
"The Japanese have sent out gem
darmes, soldiers and police who are
forcing the people to sign docu-
ment that they want Japanese rule
and have no desire Of independence
Those who refuse to sign are arrest-
ed ard put into Jail Martial law has
been declared in all Korean cities,
"All the people of Korea want is
self-determination under President
Wilson'S accepted doctrines"
Compare to Philippines.
A previous cablegram told DR..
Chung that the Koreans National
Independence Union, composed of
100000 people, including 5000
Christian churches, and 5000
churches of heaven worshippers,
all colleges, schools and other bod
les, had declared the independence
of Korea at p m. March |, at
Seoul, Pyenzyang and other cities.
(Note-"Heaven worship" embod
les the essence of Confucionism,
Buddhism and Toaism.)
Japan loves to compare Korea to
the Philippines. No comparison
could be more paradoxical and
fraudulent. The Philippines have
their own legislative assembly in
which they can overrun the veto OF
the American governor general.
THE Japanese governor general
of Korea is an absolute monarch,
while in the Philippines the Ameri-
can governor general is the benevo-
lent representative of America who
obeys the wishes of the people Of
the Philippine islands.