Page:A Problem in Japan's Control of the Press in Korea, 1906-1909.djvu/8

 deplorable effect if it were found that they were being punished, and I hope to hear from Mr. White (who takes this letter to you) that Yang was arrested by mistake and has already been released.

Maruyama explained that he was acting in compliance with the order from the Korean minister of home affairs to investigate the accounting of the fund, and the Japanese authorities stated that Yang's arrest did not have anything to do with the second Bethell trial. Thus, there developed one of the most significant episodes for Japan in Korea.

Ito was again in Tokyo, leaving the direction of his office in Korea in care of Sone, vice-resident-general, an office which had been newly created. Before he left Seoul for Tokyo, Ito instructed Maruyama that in essence:

"The accounting of the fund for the National Foreign Debt Reimbursement Association should not be treated as relating to the second Bethell trial.

Inasmuch as the fund is not from the national treasury but from public voluntary contribution, the names of the appellant for investigation should be made public and the police should be only acting on their behalf.

Since the Taehan Maeil Simbo is not the only place entrusted with fund, the accounting for the other collectors of the fund should be made at the same time."

Only the criminal treatment of Yang was reported by Cockburn to the British government. Acting on instructions from the home government, the British ambassador in Tokyo referred Cockburn's report to the Japanese foreign minister. Ito sent a telegram to the office of the resident-general in Seoul, asking if Maruyama was acting according to his instructions. Maruyama in reply produced three Koreans—Yi Tong-hi, Chung Yong-ta'ek, and Yi Song-ho—as the complainers, asking for an investigation of the Korean minister for home affairs by whom Maruyama was ordered to act. Meanwhile, Yang had been detained in prison since July 12, and the few visitors he was permitted were not allowed privacy.

Marnham, who was granted the privilege of visiting Yang, told Cockburn: "Yang... is ill, worn to a skeleton, and on the verge of collapse.... He is confined day and night together with nineteen others in a room twelve feet by fourteen, making twenty people in that small space