San Francisco 1920:Who is Japan Anyway?

3 The History of Independence Movements in San Francisco:

On February 15, 1906, the Japanese Empire had the Korean government issue a proclamation stating, “Koreans abroad, wherever they are, should receive protection from Japanese consuls.”

Korean immigrants in America strongly opposed this Japanese scheme. Joint resolutions rejecting the protection of Japanese consuls were adopted in the names of the Hawaii Aewa Chinnokhoe and the San Francisco Gongnip Association. The anger of Korean immigrants in America towards Japan, which had started to dominate Korea, led to anti-Japanese and anti-imperialist movements. Initially sporadic and led by regions or groups, these anti-Japanese movements began to expand and consolidate, especially after the March 1st Movement.

A Call to Patriotic Compatriots

In February 1910, news that Japan intended to annex Korea began to appear in newspapers, but due to police surveillance in Korea, there was little resistance domestically. However, the Korean National Association in America expressed their outrage and publicly urged their compatriots to take action.

“(Excerpt) Patriotic compatriots, our homeland is in peril and calls upon us. Let us dedicate ourselves to our nation and pledge to oppose our enemies for the sake of our country. Patriotic compatriots, rise and gather. In America, let us form the North American Regional Assembly, and in Hawaii, the Hawaii Regional Assembly, to determine our course of action and pledge our dedication to our nation and people.”

Korean National Association, June 25, 1910

Anti-Japanese Movements by Korean Immigrants

On August 22, 1910, Japan signed the “Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty” with Lee Wan-yong and announced it to the world the next day. However, it was not announced domestically for a week while they gauged the reaction. Finally, on August 29, 1910, the treaty was formally announced under the protection of armed forces. The treaty, consisting of eight articles, transferred all sovereignty over Korea to Japan permanently and promised favorable treatment and stipends to the Korean emperor, royal family, and government officials. This resulted in the creation of 76 new pro-Japanese nobility who received titles, stipends, and bonuses. The Governor-General of Korea was established in Namsan, Seoul, and began military rule through military police powers.

The Patriotic Alliance

On July 3, 1910, the North American Regional Assembly of the Korean National Association held a joint meeting at the San Francisco General Hall, located at 2928 Sacramento St., with Choi Jung-ik as the leader and representatives from various regions attending. They organized the “Patriotic Alliance” and adopted a resolution with nine articles. The resolution, sworn to by all Korean compatriots, declared Japan as the enemy and pledged to take hostile actions against it.

They decided to send reports of Japanese atrocities to the nine countries with which Korea had mutual treaties, requesting their obligations under the treaties. They also planned to create propaganda materials to be published in media outlets across Europe and America to raise international awareness and hold promotional meetings to inspire patriotic spirit among compatriots.

The Patriotic Alliance resolved to start a project to train military personnel in America. The Korean National Association would handle diplomatic and propaganda efforts against the annexation, while the Daedong Gongjindan would take charge of the military training project. They would establish training centers in each region and require young compatriots to undergo military training, with the costs covered by special contributions from compatriots.

When the Japan-Korea Annexation was declared on August 29, 1910, Korean immigrants in America were outraged. They raised the Taegukgi (Korean national flag) at their homes, sang the national anthem, and issued a declaration to the world rejecting the annexation and declaring a war of independence. They also sent telegrams to the Korean Emperor and the Japanese Emperor, conveying the sentiments of the Korean compatriots.

Telegram to the Korean Emperor

“We, representing all Korean compatriots in America, humbly present this letter with a sincere patriotic spirit, begging Your Majesty to refuse the annexation to Japan and not to compromise. While this is, of course, subject to Your Majesty’s judgment, if the annexation occurs, the responsibility for the destruction of our country and the enslavement of innocent people by the Japanese enemy will fall upon Your Majesty. Despite the threats of the Japanese enemy and the treachery of traitorous officials, the 20 million citizens look to Your Majesty’s resolute decision. Refusing this humiliation will bestow Your Majesty’s grace upon future generations.

July 6, 1910, North American Regional Assembly of the Korean National Association, Hawaii Regional Assembly, North American Regional Assembly.”

Telegram to the Japanese Emperor

“We, representing all Korean compatriots in America, earnestly request, in the name of justice and humanity, not to annex our territory to Japan and to promote the friendship between Korea and Japan. Japan recognized Korea’s independence through international treaties, and trying to annex Korea before the ink on these treaties is dry will destroy Japan’s credibility and moral standing in the world, causing Japan to fall from its position as a civilized nation. Forcing this annexation against public interest will create eternal enmity between the two nations and disturb peace in the East, bringing danger to the region. Changing this annexation policy and practicing Korea-Japan friendship will extend Your Majesty’s virtue for eternity. However, if the annexation is forced, we will oppose Your Majesty and the Japanese people, becoming eternal enemies.

July 6, 1910, North American Regional Assembly of the Korean National Association, Hawaii Regional Assembly, North American Regional Assembly.”

Notice of Anti-Japanese Struggle

Upon learning that Japan was preparing for annexation and had appointed Terauchi Masatake as “Governor-General of Korea” on July 15, the Patriotic Alliance issued a notice to compatriots, urging them to begin anti-Japanese struggles.

“(Excerpt) Who among us Koreans will not mourn and rage today? However, we cannot handle this with mere sorrow and anger; we must choose the path of anti-Japanese struggle and begin immediately. There are many ways to oppose the Japanese enemy, but overseas compatriots must choose the most effective means according to their circumstances. We have already decided that urgent tasks include diplomatic propaganda and military training. Our military training will be conducted in America, where it is feasible and practical, and we will train several tens or hundreds of officers at a time to support the formation of troops in the Far East.

July 9, 1910, Patriotic Alliance”

Articles on Japan in the Gongnip Shinbo and Shinhan Minbo

September 27, 1907: “Korean’s View on the Japanese – The Japanese character is weak, cruel, and malicious, lacking any sense of morality or philanthropy, driven by extreme greed. Even parents without inheritance are abused and forced into labor. Japan’s fate will be like their fragile products, shattering to pieces.”
October 4, 1907: “The Japanese, having captured our Korean nation and territory under their so-called protection, now seek to ensnare even those of us overseas. The Japanese consul visited Kim Heon-sik, claiming to protect Korean property and tried to record names. Should we fall for this trick? Absolutely not.”
April 22, 1908: “Due to harmful chemicals added to Japanese liquor, which cause stomach issues, 500 containers will be returned to Japan.”
June 17, 1908: “Efforts are underway to prevent Japanese ownership of laundries in San Francisco and Oakland, and chefs and waiters are forming unions to check the Japanese.”
May 26, 1909: “As of December 1906, there were approximately 53,100 Japanese in America, with three-fifths in California, 14,000 of whom were engaged in farming 12,000 acres of land.”
August 1, 1913: “Before the Foreign Land Sales Ban in California takes effect on August 10, Japanese have spent 720,000 yen to purchase land.”
April 27, 1916: “There are 60,000 Japanese in California: 20,000 in Los Angeles, 8,000 in San Francisco, 8,000 in Oakland, and 29,000 around Sacramento.”
May 18, 1916: “Between July last year and March this year, 13,193 immigrants entered via San Francisco, 4,193 of whom were Japanese, with over 90% being picture brides, now under investigation for immoral entry methods.”
November 9, 1916: “Japanese shops are boycotting Chinese goods.”
March 29, 1917: “A Japanese boy in Fillmore St., San Francisco, was arrested for lifting a white woman’s skirt.”
September 6, 1917: “When seeking a passport to return to Korea, Mr. Mo was denied due to being of conscription age and had to seek approval from the Japanese consul.”
November 1, 1917: “The Japanese Association in America requested the governor to close Chinese gambling houses, citing that the 65,000 Japanese in California lose 2 million yen annually to gambling.”
November 13, 1917: “Kanagawa, the Japanese Association’s secretary, was humiliated at Korean barber Lee Ok-hyeong’s shop in Sacramento when he attempted to conduct a population survey.”
April 11, 1918: “The San Francisco Examiner published a scathing article about Japan, calling it a fox in sheep’s clothing, scheming to invade others’ lands.”
April 18, 1918: “From April 15, Japanese soy sauce and miso were banned, causing panic among the Japanese community.”
May 9, 1918: “Instructions on how to make soy sauce to avoid consuming Japanese products.”
June 6, 1918: “A foolish Japanese bank manager died instantly in an elevator accident at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco.”
July 29, 1919: “Koreans in California drove Japanese farmers away from water sources, refusing to help the people oppressing their countrymen in Korea.”
August 28, 1919: “A Japanese laundry owner in San Francisco posed as Korean to avoid anti-Japanese sentiments.”
October 19, 1919: “A Japanese tenant in Manteca tried to outbid Koreans for land leases, causing tensions.”

Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Document – Report on Anti-Japanese Movements by Korean Immigrants in America, 1909

Every Korean immigrant in America harbors some degree of anti-Japanese sentiment. Whenever possible, they express these sentiments through speech and actions, and the Korean National Association is the center of these activities