KOREA'S EX-RULER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17059, 14 June 1926, Page 8

KOREA'S EX-RULER.

FUNERAL'S ORIENTAL SPLENDOR, DISTURBANCE BREAKS OUT.

(Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (Renter's Telegram.)

I'OK.IO. June 12

In anticipation of a serious uprising on the occasion of the funeral of the exEmperor of Korea, the police at Seoul raided the headquarters of the malcontents and seized documents affording proof thai their funds were being supplied from Vladivostock, the headquarters of the Third Internalionale, for the purpose of fomenting a Communistic demonstration and revolt . during the funeral. Many thousands of Koreans from all parts of Korea and Japan flocked to Seoul, 'the police were strongly reinforced, three thousand guarding the route i'f the funeral. Many malcontents wore sent to gaol as a result of police raids, hul only the leaders ivei'e kept in prison. PALL-IJKAWERs" ON STRIKE. The funeral was the largosi ever seen in Ihe Orient', more thirty thousand walking in the procession, The coffin was enclosed in a huge wooden panoply and can led on the shoulders of two thousand pall hearers. The coffin was followed by Viscount Matsnra. representing the Japanese Emperor. Then tame the Prince and Princess, followed by representatives of the Tokio diplomatics, then a, thousand visitors, and professional weepers. Over (t quarter of a million visitors entered the city. The procession, when nearmg the funeral place., was thrown into confusion, a body of students attempting to distribute inllanimatory literature. Some students were arrested, but (he Koreans lining the route, took up the shouts adding to the | disturbance. During the procession the ! whole of the pall bearers struck, alleging that they had been ill-treated, abandoning the catafalque on the road two miles from the grave. Coolies were hastily despatched from Seoul to replace the strikers, while the cortege waited.

YI;SYEK THE 55th

A SHORT AND TROUBLED R-ETHN

THE LAST OF HI? DVXASTS

Prince Yi. the former Emperor of Korea, who had been serio'uily ill since the beginning of April, died <it Seoul, the capital ot Korea, early on the morning of April 25, at the age of 62, Korean custom requires his successor to remain in mourning for three years, and this indefinitely postpones the hitter's projected visit to Europe and England. Prince Yi's heir, who is,married to a Japanese princess, has hitherto been domiciled in Tokto and will now transfer h:.s residence to .Seoul.

Yi. Syek, the 35th land last Sovereign of his dynasty to rule over Korea, succeeded as Emperor on the abdication of his father. Yi Ifyoung. on July 19. 1907. b'ow and evil were the amur's of his reign. He was never more than <i. puppst monarch, Japan wrung from him the treaty of August, 19.10, in which he formally signed away the sovereignty of his country. Yi Syek was credited with the possession of considerable ability, bat as Emperor he was never given the chance of doing anything. Japan had. in 1904, guaranteed the welfare and dignity of the Korean Imperial House, and the dethroned monarch and his family, who wore removed to Tokio, were shown much personal conuderaticn. In his exile tiio Prince led a quiet life and gave at least no atttivc support to the Korean move; rneut to regain independence.