New-York tribune., 1919-09-01
Constitution Modelled After
That of America Is Pro.
claimed by the President
and Peace Ambassador
All Liberty Is Guaranteed
Government of Mikado Ac-
cused of Obtaining Con.
troll of Realm by Fraud
Ne,U. York Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureau

New. York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.--1n a proc
lamation issued ION behalf Of the gov
ernment and people Of Corca," DR..
Syngman Rhee, "President of the Re-
public" and j. Kiusic s. Kimm, chair
man of the Corean Commission at the
peace conference, to-day renounced the
sovereignty of Japan ana called on
the world to accept Corca as an IN
dependent government.
The constitution Of the "Republic
of Corca," patterned after the Amer
lean Constitution, is outlined in the
proclamation. 1t provides that Corea
shall have parliamentary form of
government, guarantees freedom of re-
ligion, of speech and of the press and
the right of assembly and petition.
The standing army is to be replaced
by militia. Education will be fostered
and "the cause of social purity will
be sedulously upheld" The proclama-
ton was signed and issued from the
headquarters of the Corean Commits
sion in Washington.
Japanese Rule Repudiated
eve, the undersigned, duly elected
and accredited executive officers of the
Republic of Corea," the proclamation
reads, representing and acting in be-
half of more than 100000 Coreans.
now held in bondage and subjection
against their will by forcS Sof Japanese
arms alone, in complete discord with
all preceding declarations and pro-
nunciamentocs Of the people and gov
ernment of the Republic of Corea, and
because our nation and people cannot
freely develop as one of the alleged
autonomous units of a Japanese mock
federation or as a component part OF
the Japanese Empire, to be ruled over
and governed for ages eternal by an
autocratic and militaristic dynasty, do
hereby solemnly make this declaration
of and demand for the continued lib
erty and independence of the Corean
people.
Owe do this in acceptance of the
prlnclple that no people should be
forced to- live under sovereignty
which they have not chosen and which
they do not recognize, and our certain
knowledge of the fact that the belated
and pretended promise or assurance
ny Japan of autonomy and fedora liza
tlon is only new form Of the cruel
and atrocities denationalizing and de-
Chrlstlanlzing process under which we
have suffered unspeakable tortures
and against which we have unceasinglv
fought and struggled for more than
twelve years.
Historic Rights Declared
I'VE make this declaration and de-
mand on the basis Of our hereditary
and unauestionablc historic rights.
an every treaty between Japan and
Corea up to and including the wear
1904, Japan recognized and retcra ted
the fact that Corea was al independ-
cnt state and nation, and in some Of
those treaties, notably the one in 1904.
unrese rvedIy guaranteed the independ-
ence of Corea for all time. Not only
So but in numerous treaties and con-
vcntions between Japan and other
grent powers Japan specifically en-
gagged to respect the independence Of
Corcn.
"Finally, however, Corea was in
duced by means Of false promises and
pledges and the solemn guarantee of
her continued independence and sover-
cignty, to enter into an alliance with
Japan against what was then regarded
as the Russian danger, by the terms Of
winch alliance Japan was permitted to
send her military forces into and
through Corcan territory for the spe-
clfic and sole purpose of opposing the
advance of Russia, and with solemn
pledge and promise made by the gov
ernmcnt OF the Empire of Japan that
when the war with Russia was over the
government of Japan promptly would
withdraw all military and naval forces
from Corea and the Corean ports and
guarantee the freedom and independ-
ence of Corea forever. By making that
treaty we did not surrender to Japan
any of our rights of sovereignty, in or
over the territory of Corea, and we
have never voluntarily waived or sur
rendered any Of our rights as an inde-
pendent and sovereign nation.
Japan Accused of Duplicity
"The autocraeic and militaristic gov
ernment of the Empire of Japan de-
llberately broke that solemn pledge to
our government and people, refusing 10
withdraw their military and naval
forces from Corea when the war was
terminated, but instead, by cruel and
unjust application of military force and
arms, made captive our rulers and GOV
ernment officials, and, after declaring n
protectorate over our country, finally
assumed to annex the Empire Of Corea
ana thus to stamp out our government.
I'VE, therefore, refuse to become an
integral or component part of the jap
anese Empire in any form. We appeal
to all the democratic and Christian
peoples for active cooperation and sup
port IN our righteous determination and
endeaVor to maintain the independenca
and sovereignty Of the Corean nation"