The Truth about China and Japan/Document G
(G)
MANIFESTO OF THE KOREAN PEOPLE ISSUED TO THE WORLD ON MARCH 1, 1919
Explanatory Note.—This most remarkable Manifesto of the Korean people derives much of its importance from the fact that it was drawn up and signed by the leaders of all the cultural-religious associations in the country.
The first signatures were the leaders of the so-called Tien Tao Hui, or Heaven-Worshippers. This association, which now numbers millions of people, was originally created sixty years ago to oppose the introduction of Roman Catholicism into Korea. It is based partly on Confucianism, but has elements of Christianity in it. Twenty-five years ago a branch of it in Southern Korea rose and created the obscure Tong-Hak rebellion which gave Japan the excuse to land troops on the plea of restoring order. It is now known that provocative agents arranged the rising, the Tong-Haks (Chinese characters Tung-Hsueh-tang" or Eastern learning society) being nominal advocates of Eastern learning, Anglice, Japanese learning, and opposing the influx of Western influence. This spurious element has now been expelled from the society, which is purely nationalist.
The second group of signatories are Y. M. C. A. workers, many of whom were young officials prior to the annexation.
The third group of signatories are prominent Korean pastors of the Methodist and other Protestant Churches.
The fourth group are the heads of the Buddhist church in Korea.
In all history has been no such cultural union for nationalist purposes; and it is this which must give Korea, with her passive resistance movement, a new place in the world's regard.
We, the Korean Nation, hereby declare the independence of Korea before all nations, assuming that this will be generously recognized by them.
We declare this with the united voice of twenty million people in the name of Justice and Humanity. We are no mean people, having a long history as a distinctive, integrative self-governing nation through the course of forty-three centuries. It is a most solemn duty for us to secure the right of free and perpetual development of our own national character and ability, adapting ourselves to the principles of the reconstruction of the world.
It is nearly ten years since we were for the first time in our history put under the yoke of another nation, and made a victim of the cursed militaristic imperialism of the old world. Since then, how much our spiritual development has been hampered, our national dignity injured. And how many opportunities have been lost to make a contribution to the civilization of the world.
Oh, fellow-citizens! The most urgent and the greatest duty for us is to secure our national independence, in order to wipe out the past resentment, to get rid of the present sufferings, to remove the future threatenings, to stir up the national spirit and vitality so long suppressed under the unjust régime of Japan, and to leave our children eternal freedom and perfect happiness instead of the bitter and shameful inheritance of to-day. We shall fight to the last drop of blood in the great cause of liberty.
We do not blame Japan for breaking treaties in which so often and so solemnly she promised to guarantee the independence of Korea. Nor do we complain of her for calling our land a colony and treating us as slaves. It is unnecessary for us to find faults in others. We do not mean to take such a measure as to avenge ourselves upon Japan. All we desire to do is to right wrongs done to us, not by the Japanese nation, but by a few of her statesmen who were led by the 'old' aggressive policy.
See the actual outcome of the annexation which was made in 1910 without the free consent of the peoples concerned. A bitter and irreconcilable animosity is growing deeper and deeper between these two peoples, though it has been glossed over with, a tranquil appearance caused only by heavy pressure, and by a series of so-called statistics most of which have nothing to do with our welfare. It is clear that the two nations must and ought to enter into a new relation of good friendship in order to enjoy permanent happiness and to avoid further perils on both sides. Moreover, in the matter of maintaining the peace of the Far East, the independence of Korea is not without deep significance. It is not only because the injustice which subdued twenty million people of Korea must prove a source of incessant alarm, but because any further occupation by Japan of Korea is likely to provoke more suspicion and fear against Japan in the minds of four hundred million people of China; whereas true friendly relations between the two peoples are the only basis upon which any eternal peace of the East can possibly be established. Could any international peace be expected without the perfect harmony of the Eastern Nations? Hence we are assured that the independence of Korea is worthy of universal consideration and approval.
Ah! A new epoch is opening before us. The age of Might is gone, and the age of Right has come. The history of mankind will henceforth shine with the glorious light of the new civilization, led by the spirit of Humanity which has been fostered through all ages past. We have no hesitation and no fear in marching on towards our goal, as we are now at a new turn of the world and a fresh start of the universe. We shall live. We shall be free. We shall enjoy the Heaven-given happiness. We shall do our best as a member of the family of the nations in rendering any service called for to promote the peace and civilization of the world.
We have arisen now! Justice is with us. Righteousness is leading us! All citizens, male and female, young and old, have risen up from the gloomy dungeon to push their way into the bright Freedom. Our forefathers inspire us, and the world support us. Go on, fellow-citizens.
The Representatives of
The Korean National Independence Union.