New-York tribune., 1919-09-05
Baron Saito Promises to
Abolish Flogging, Permit
Free Speech and Encour-
age the National Spirit
Places i'm Diet Possible
American People Asked to
Believe He Aims to Pro.
mote Interest Of Nation

TOXIC, Sept. 3.-On the eve of his
departure for Seoul, Admiral Baror
Minoru Saito. recently appointed Gov
ernor General Of Corea announced ir
an exclusive statement to The Asso-
ciated Press some of the things he
hoped to accomplish during his tern
Of Office
The old method of punishment il
Corea, he said, would be abolished, The
rlgh. Of free speech would be granted
and Corean autonomous government
IN villages and districts would be in
stituted, with the eventual goal o.
Corean representation in the japanese
Diet.
Admiral Saito said he wished the
American people to feel that his ad
ministrarion, backed by the home gov
any mistakes in the past, would in the
future be based on the principle OF
governing Corea in the interest of the
Coreans spd keeping progress with the
age.
Corean Spirit to Be Upheld
much has been said about our as
"All | ask is that the Coreans be loya'
subjects Of the japanese Empire. Il
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 nc
coercive attempts to crush out tho
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.
Il promise to abolish all forms OF
discrimination whatsoever. In addition
to the abolition of the gendarmerle,
the unpopular gold breids and swords
worn by officials will be discontinued
and able Coreans will be given Off
cial appointments, promotion and fan
treatment on the same basis as the
Japanese. All the people Will be given
impartial justice
Admiral Sato said he was convinced
that fogging should be Immediately
abolished in Corea, and the home gov
ernment had agreed to this.
Il shall issue an cdict for It's aboii-
ton" he added, las soon as | get set
tied in Seoul
Representation Advocated
Concerning representation ia 'he
Japanese Dict, he said that this nat
urally depended on how the Corcsns
developed fitness in exercising local
autonomy in Corca. Ii lightiuliy
utilized he believed the japanese gov
crnmont later would permit Coroa 20
send representatives to the Diet lie
personally preferred this TO he ins,i-
tuition Of a separate Corean Diet.
owe must advance in this gradually -
he went on. Il have q sincere desire
10 eradicate evils and correct blum
dcrs. TIE right Of free speech will
exist. shall tolerate no arbitrary
interference with the freedom Of the
press. only asking that the newspapers
or meetings shall not cndangcr peace
and order.
"All formalty. supcrticiality and red
tape will be avoided. Reforms will be
inaugurated in education, industry, po-
lice affairs and sanitary and social
works. and new features will be intro
duced to promote popular contentment.
Missionaries Recognized
Questioned as to his attitude regard
ing missionaries. Baron Saito replied
that he only hoped the missionaries
would pursue their religious work with
renewed vigor, as he WAS convinced
they had done great good among the
Corcans. He only requested that the
missionaries in the future. as in the
past. would refrain from interference
in politics.
BARON Saito said there would be no
ruling by the sword or intimidat on by
tho military. He concluded:
81 wanted to talk to you frankly be
cause ] hhc American friends TO feel
that viii do my best"