The Attack on the Ministry of the Interior.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6668, 9 September 1905, Page 2

The Attack on the Ministry of the Interior.

Christian Churches Destroyed,

Legations Under Guards-

Tokio, Sept 8

Rowdies supposed to be in the pay of agitators, surrounded the Ministry of the Interior, where Count Katsura and the Chief of the Police were believed to be. The mob threw dust in the eyes of the police and tried to force an entrance. Five entered the hall. An officer killed the foroinos^ and disarmed and arrested the rest. The police then charged, wounding many, also suffering themselves. The mob tried for hours to force an entrance, and after dusk set fire to the outer buildings of the Ministry of the Interior, stoning firemen who tried to extinguish the flames. Then the Imperial Guards charged, bat used the jjrowd gently. Marquis Saionji, leader of the principal political party at Tokio, Btatea that the object of !the war has been attained, and that further conflict is useless. It is impossible to obtain an indemnity, and Japan would not be warranted in disregarding the world's desire for peace,, merely for pecuniary motives. The people should calmly devote themselves to the development of the country's resources. The mob burned and destroyed ten Christian churches and one mission house in Tokio on Wednesday night. No one was injured. Troops are guarding the Legations. The mobs roughly used some foreigners. The residences of the Ministry and the elder statesmen are guarded.