Los Angeles herald., 1906-02-04

-. tJVVo,V. 10 the proposal OF the samurat Una.
ne should be permitted TO 20 with Toro and
Jiro to the Mori fortress. since longer residence
IN IN eco was unsafe for the two who had exhib.
ted themselves before the choice gathering Of
the ohogun's followers at the Treaty House So
~ was That for time Mori remained alone in
Yedo.
The continued presence in the Shogun's city
OF one known throughout the length and breadth
OF the land as the Imperialist leader could not
III tne nature of events remain unknown to the
authorities On several occasions he was pressed
so nard that he found an occasional sojourn out
sioe Oh fedo Imperative. II was upon his re-
turn from one of these Fittings that the Prince
MoI1 found strange news awaiting him.
The Shotgun Iyessda was dead. The choice Of
a successor devolving upon the Regent Ii, a
man said to be of low birth, the wishes of a con.
siderable number Of the shogunate following had
been ignored. Xii, boy Of twelve, had been
selected by the Regent.
10 make show Of boasted power before the
foreigners, now always pressing for treaty privi-
leges, the Regent Ii had ratified with them
treaty then pending, afterwards reporting it
tardily to the Emperor at Kioto
Instantly the city rang with protest, and, fol-
lowing it, the country.
This ii would remain alone with a boy Sho-
gunl" cried the mobiles of both parties.
Mori dispatched instantly to his fortress cour-
iers who conveyed orders to Toro that consid.
cradle body of Morris troops should proceed at
once to Yedo Before their arrival, however,
crisis had been reached
Ronins in great numbers had visited the I'm
perialist headquarters, urging instant action.
These rowing samurai, having renounced all ale
glance to their own lords, had become free
agents (ronins), and had sworn never to return
to their homes until the shogunate was over
thrown.
One Hasuda headed a party that sought out
the Prince Mori.
''Let every foreign legation be burned this
night" urged Hasuda let us drive into the
seas those dogs who already have delayed our
action too long. Let it be done tonight"
NO." said Mori. firmly. "Do not let your
acts which hitherto, in spite of their lawlessness,
have been tinged with patriotism, be tainted by
such action as you now propose. The function
of patriot is not that Of assassination, but of
honest warfare. Be counseled by me. Do nothing
yet awhile. Waiti My men are on the march.
They cannot arrive for some days. When they
have come, and when Mikado has given us
the signal let us then attack and evict these for
eign barbarians."
"No, no." insisted Hasuda whose sword itched
for action; "the Mikado is influenced by those
about him who hostile to us. He dare not"
"Only by his order will attack the foreign
ers," Mori insisted.
| "He will not speak," said Hasuda.
'He will" said Mori. IT have assurances to
that effect"
| Hasuda altered his plea.
| "But, your highness," he urged, "what now
| advocate is your own policy The shogunate is
responsible to the foreigners for the peace. De
stroy their legations and their wrath will de-
scend upon the shogunate."
| 'Tisten; I will not stoop to massacre but
promise you that upon the order of the Emperor
will fire at once upon their fleets and make
warfare against them.
The ronin Hasuda smiled sIyly, as with ges-
ttire of resignation he threw his arms aside.
"Your highness," he said, "be it so. ] con-
sent, upon one condition. Go thou to kioto.
Obtain at once audience with the Son Of Heaven.
Secure his consent. Thou hast means within the
palace to reach him safely Do so, then. I will
await your return"
agreed" answered Mori.
Within few moments his norimon was car
rying him out of Yedo
| Two ronins joined Hasuda near the headquar-
tiers half an hour later
"Your news?" he demanded.
''The Prince of Mori is on the highway to
Kioto."
"Good Then let the bands separate"
| The several hundred ronins, divided into part
| les Of some six seven, set out in various di-
rections Two hours later they were in the shad-
| ow of the Sakurada gate Of the Shogun's palace.
| A spy from the interior made his report to
Hasuda II was accompanied by many gestures
directed towards the wide path which led
through the garden to the palace within.
| A stately procession passing down the
garden path and had taken the road. 1t was the
cortege of the Baron Ii Kamon-no-Kam, the
hated Regent of Japan. Only his ordinary train
of attendants and samurai accompanied him.
Absorbed in their own personal reflections, they
were apparently without suspicion of a planned
| assault.
Hasuda, in the shadow Of the gate and the
farther shadow of the cedars which bent their
branches over the walls raised his sword.
| ''Now," he whispered, in soft, penetrating
voice insistent as the hiss of a serpent. From
the shadows of the walls against which they
had stood ronins leaped upon the samurai and
attendants about the norimon of Ii. These gave
way instantly, some were killed outright, others
wounded, while still others were left engaged in
deadly strife with ronin adversaries.
"Quick! Forward" urged Hasuda.
| A chosen body sprang out from the ronin
ranks, and surrounding the norimon of the Re-
gent drew him with rough hands out into the
road They dragged him before Hasuda. Within
the palace cry of alarm rang through the night
| followed by the hurried mastering of troops.
| Outside the Sakurada gate, however, the nu-
merous ronins, showing no sign of fear, proceed
ed leisurely Ii had fallen upon his knees. His
mute lips moved in prayers for mercy, though no
sound escaped them. His lips were livid, his
eyes glazed.
| AT what seemed this manifestation of coward
ice the ronins, outlawed samurai as they were,
| LAUGHED scornfully They would have died un-
Ainchingly. Ii was not Of samurai blood.
"Death 20 the traitor" roared ronin chorus.
"Ay." replied Hasuda-"death!" Then to the
Regent "Ii, thou art traitor. Rise and re-
ceive sentence"
! Ii seemed paralyzed with fear
"Let him die" said Hasuda.
"T,et him die" growled the ronins.
Hasuda sent a keen glance over his ranks. He