ITO, PRINCE HIROBUMI, Japanese statesman; born in the province of Chosu, 1841; assassinated at Harbin, Itilanchuria, Oct. 26, 1909, by a Korean. The son of a samurai (warrior) of low rank, he was orphaned at an early age and was adopted by relatives. As a boy, with four companions, he worked his way to England on board a Scottish whaler. After his return home he tried to dis suade the Lord of the Province from fighting the Westerners, and for his Western sympathies was attacked by assassins, but was saved by the girl who afterward became his wife. Emerging from the insurrection which placed the present Mikado on the throne, one of the young progressives devoted to the Em peror and the cause of an enlightened Japan, his rise through various positions of trust was rapid, and he took a lead ing part in formulating the constitution under which Japan is now governed. He visited the United States in 1872.
He was created a count for his services to the state and in 1883 became premier, a post he held four times. For his suc cessful efforts in negotiating a peace treaty with China he was made a mar quis, and for the next ten years took an important part in government affairs. He foresaw the war with Russia, and exerted himself to strengthen the em pire's resources in preparation for that war. In 1905 he was appointed Resi dent-General in Korea, where he re formed the administration of the country and made it a Japanese province, gain ing the hatred of the Koreans, though his measures were not harsh or abitrary. He was elevated to the rank of prince in 1907, and in May, 1909, -turned home to become President of the Privy Coun cil. When murdered he was in Harbin to meet the Russian Minister of Finance on the general railway situation in Man churia.