earnestly to be hoped that the trouble will be settled peacefully, before the troops are obliged to use their bayonets.”

Count Hasegawa, the Governor-General, had already issued various proclamations, telling the people of the Imperial benevolence of Japan, warning them that the watchword “self-determination of races” was utterly irrevelant to Japan, and warning them of the relentless punishment that would fall on those who committed offences against the peace.  Here is one of the proclamations.  It may be taken as typical of all: 

“When the State funeral of the late Prince Yi was on the point of being held, I issued an instruction that the people should help one another to mourn his loss in a quiet and respectful manner and avoid any rash act or disorder.  Alas!  I was deeply chagrined to see that, instigated by certain refractory men, people started a riot in Seoul and other places.  Rumour was recently circulated that at the recent Peace Conference in Paris and other places, the independence of Chosen was recognized by foreign Powers, but the rumour is absolutely groundless.  It need hardly be stated that the sovereignty of the Japanese Empire is irrevocably established in the past, and will never be broken in the future.  During the ten years since annexation, the Imperial benevolence has gradually reached all parts of the country, and it is now recognized throughout the world that the country has made a marked advancement in the securing of safety to life, and property, and the development of education and industry.  Those who are trying to mislead the people by disseminating such a rumour as cited know their own purpose, but it is certain that the day of repentance will come to all who, discarding their studies or vocations, take part in the mad movement.  Immediate awakening is urgently required.

“The mother country and Chosen, now merging in one body, makes a State.  Its population and strength were found adequate enough to enter upon a League with the Powers and conduct to the promotion of world peace and enlightenment, while at the same time the Empire is going faithfully to discharge its duty as an Ally by saving its neighbour from difficulty.  This is the moment of time when the bonds of unity between the Japanese and Koreans are to be more firmly tightened and nothing will be left undone to fulfill the mission of the Empire and to establish its prestige on the globe.  It is evident that the two peoples, which have ever been in inseparably close relations from of old, have lately been even more closely connected.  The recent episodes are by no means due to any antipathy between the two peoples.  It will be most unwise credulously to swallow the utterances of those refractory people who, resident always abroad, are not well informed upon the real conditions in the peninsula, but, nevertheless, are attempting to mislead their brethren by spreading wild fictions and thus disturbing the peace of