Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-07-16
JAPS USE SWORD
As THEIR EMBLEM
Of AUTHORITY IN
KOREA, IS CLAIM
Commission, After InyeStigs-
ting Situation Thoroughly,
Says DefenSeIeSS People
BrutaIIy Treated,
PRUSSIAN METHODS
USED BY JAPANESE
Korean Demonstrations in Fo-
yOr of National Independ-
enc Are RuthIeSSIy Sup
pressed By NipponeSe,


New York. July 15.-The following
statement concerning the situation in
Korea was given out today by the
commission on relations with the 'Ori-
ent of the Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America, of
which William j. Haven is chairman
and Sidney L. GuliCk is secretary.
THE reports of atrocities against
the Korean population ana especially
against the native Christians that have
been coming from Korea for several
months, are confirmed in abundant
detail by a special report about to be
issued by the commission on relations
with orient of the federal council of
the churches of Christ in America.
THE commission wishes to make
it clear that while it has not jurisdic
ton to speak on the political issues
at stake in Korea, yet, as representing
the Christian sentiment of majority
of the American churches, it cannot
remain silent when defenseless peo-
pie are made the victims of Il massa-
ere and widespread brutality.
After nearly three months study
Of the Korean situation, this commits
sion is issuing a statement based on
the examination of about 900 pages
of manuscript reports of committees,
letters and the personal accounts of
responsible witnesses to the events
attending the Korean. demonstrations
in favor of national Independence and
their ruthless suppression by the Jap
anCse military government.
Prussian Tactics Used.
This report substantiates the
charge that the Japanese colonial sys-
TEN which has been forced upon the
Koreans is thoroughly prussian in it's
military severity and its treatment
of the native population. Everywhere
in Korea, it is stated, the sword is the
emblem of authority rad is even worn
by male school teachers in the class
room.
THE recent movement for indie
pendenCe was started by educated ko-
reans anxious to save the people of
their country from national eXtnC-
ton and for the recovery of many of
the elemental rights of Justice, such as
the use of their own language, free
dom of the press, of speech and as
sembly which have been denied them
by Japan.
They hoped by peaceful demon
Strations of passive resistance to the
Conquerors to attract the attent'on of
the peace conference at Paris t. their
cause.
Girls Stripped and Beaten.
THE invariablo procedure of the So
called rcVolutionists was to assemble,
usually carrying the national colors
and shouting 'Mansci. equivalent to
the japanese 'Ran2ci or to our hur-
rah). In no case was anything more
violent attempted, nor were arms
borne by the reyolutiOnsts. In scores
of cases these defensclesS demonstra-
tors were fired upon by Japanese
troops and killed or wounded by hun
dreds. In other instances, native high
school students of both sexes who had
Joined the procession in behalf of
Korean liberty were imprisoned and
tortured
The stripping and beating of girl
demonstrators and the brutal treat
ment of Korean women by japanese
soldiers were frequent while bands
of armed japanese thugs were turned
loose upon the Korean crowds.
Many Koreans Killed.
From March / to April II. 3G1
Koreans were known to have been
killed and $50 wounded. The indig-
mites to a few foreign missionaries
and especially the arrest and impris-
onment of the Rev. Eli NJ. Mowry
are already well known in America.
The latest reports are to the effect
that the arrest and torture of sus-
pected persons by the police we're
continued and that q reign of terror
prevailed.
tvTbo+ +bo errIon ri,,rr poIio,, 90 A..
federal councils commission has met
with an appreciative response from
the Japanese government is evident
from the following cablegram just
received from the Hon. Takashi Hara
premier of the imperial cabinet:
"'I desire to assure you that the
report Of abuses committed by agents
of the japanese government in Korea
has been engaging my most serious
attention. | am fully prepared to
look squarely at actual facts. As |
have declared on various occasions,
the regime of administration inaugu-
rated in Korea at the time of annex
alton, nearly ten years ago, calls for
substantial modification to meet the
altered conditions Of things. A COM
prehensive plan of reorganization
with this object in view has already
been on the tapis.
Tn view. however, of the recent
improvement in the situation, the con-
templated reform can now be, in my
estimation, safely introduced and will
be called into effect as soon as the
legal requirements of procedure to
make them definite shall have been
completed
The commission also makes public
part of a cablegram from Viscount
Uchida, minister of foreign affairs in
Toxic, wherein he confirms the assur-
ances of Premier Hara that tbs latter
is striving to remedy the Korean
trouble The message thanks the Am
orleans for their cordial and friend
ly spirit" and asks for continuance
of their sane and moderate attitude"
The inquiry was undertaken. the
commission says, at the request of
representatives of the Presbyterian
and Methodist churches and the AM
erican Bible society. The Japanese
government was kept informed of the
disclosures.
The documents given out. it is said,
were compiled with the aid of thirty
Americans and BrItons In Korea.