Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-28

HAZED THE MIkADO's BROTHER.
An Expe rience of Prince Azuma While
He Was at Annapolis.

From the Chicago Tribune.
1T is not generally known that Azuma. a
brother Of the Emperor of Japan. was
cadet at the United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis" said an ex-naval officer yes
terday. 'Our government has for many
years accorded to foreign nations the priv
iiege of sending, at their own expense. rep
resentative youths to this school, and sew
eral japanese have been graduated from II.
notable among whom are Admiral Matz-
muIla end Capt. Katz. both of them dis
tinguished officers of the navy OF their
country:
While Prince Azuma was at Annapolis
funny incident happened. and IL aptly
illustrates The readiness with which for
eiSn youth assimilate American ideas. even
when directly antagonistic to the prejud.ces
and traditions Of their ow.- native land.
when Azuma reached the academy-this
was twenty-five years ago-he was then
lad of about sixteen. and was accompanied
by a valet, this being the first and only In.
stance in which a naval cadet was allowed
an attendant, and special permission had
mulla had preceded him by two years and
katz by one year. and both were highly
esteemed by the officers well as by their
schoolmates.
"Hazing is a fine art at the Naval Acad-
envy, and thrd-class men are very attentive
to newcomers after evening taps But by
common consent the japanese students
were looked on in the light Of guests and
were spared the fgnominy of dangling In
baskets from the outside OF windows, roost-
ing in trees, grinding imaginary hand
organs. and other disagreeable tasks, from
which no American student was exempt.
Hence, Matzmulla and katz knew Of these
episodes only as they were told them by
their less fortunate fellow-classmen.
Besides. the small size and delicate ap-
pearance of the modest and bashful prince
appealed to the sympathetic side of the
cadets vino. indeed. had vague sort OF
impression that the sacredness of the mi
kado's person-it was more revered in those
days than now-extended TO all his family,
and that possibly our home government
would visit condign punishment upon any
one who dared TO invade the chamber Of
Azuma without special invitation from that
prince.
'-Katz was a member of the class which.
according to the conditions of the school,
was privileged to harass. perpleN. tease and
annoy the class of which his illustrious
prince was a member. Having been at the
school an entire year he had learned much
about the freedom OF America and the alb
sence of caste. True. he had escaped hay
ing. but he n ever could appreciate the cour-
tesy. and would have been better pleased
had he been served as the rest. He was q
jolly. rollfcking fellow. who could enjoy q
joke as keenly as any member of his class.
and he Joined in ali the pleasures of the
school, those that were forbidden as well
as the legitimate.
0one night soon arter the arrival OF the
prince his vsiet rushed frantically into the
quarters OF the officer of the day. and with
horror depicted in every line of his homely
face. declared that My Lord Katz was TAX
ing the most unseemly liberties with the
person of his august master, Prince Azu-
ma
"Hastening toward Azuma's rooms this Is
what the officer heard as he drew near the
door:
"Tn have you ordered home. and then
Your head will be chopped on
Oh. thunder irreverently came from the
lips OF katz. This isn't Japan, and IL you
don't kick higher and keep up that whis-
Ting Ill SINCE your hair for YOU
The officer saw Azuma executing high
steps, with puckered lips. encouraged to
this action by a lighted candle In the hand
of lively katz. The latter bore without
complaint the punishment that is melted
out TO detected 'hazers.' but he Indignantly
protested to his fellow students against
what he termed the rank injustice of caste
distinction in a free government
"Azuma's health became very poor ana
ne only remained at the academy for a few
months; but he sojourned in this country
long enough 20 pick up sundry besetments.
which L am afraid still cling TO him. I'm
like Matzmulla and Katz he loves the
pleasures of the court better than "a
glories of the sea-