The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-09

Undoubtedly the most useful chapter OF
the book before us is that which portrays
the actual rulers of Japan. In our
authors delineation the central figure is,
Of course, the Emperor Mutsuhito, the
hundred and twenty-first Of his line. who
can trace his pedigree in unbroken con-
tinuity from the God descended Jimmu
Tennu. the first OF the Mikados to establish
authority over a united Japan, six hundred
and sixty years before the birth OF Christ.
Such a lineage. which is undoubtedly his
t~orical. makes the Oldest European dynasty
look Like a mushroom. Col. Murray AYERS
that. gifted with good abilities and sound
judgment. cultured. sensible and hardwork-
ing, the present Emperor possesses one
striking characteristic of priceless value to
a monarch-the power Of Judging other
mems character and capacities and Of
choosing wise counsellors and executive
agents. In our authors opinion a more
talented and ambitious ruler-a Hideyoshi
or an Iyeyasu would hardly have come
through the throes Of revolution with the
same unanimity OF approval which has
marked the drastic changes introduced into
the political system and the social life Of
Japan since the suppression Of the Sho-
gunate and the restoration OF the imperial
authority. From his cal Hest days -Mutsu-
htto was only 10 when he was called from
his life OF gilded seClusion at kioto 10 the
real headship OF the State Emperor
has been surrounded by the best men avail
able in Japan and has had the sagacity TO
place unlimited trust in them.
Some Of those who first guided him
through the revolutionary days-lwakura,
Sanjo, Okubo are dead. but others still
remain-Ito. Itagagi. lnouye. Yamagata
and Oyama and although according 10
Japanese custom with advancing years
they have made way for younger men in
active functions, they yet continue in their
quality OF Elder Statesmen to retain the
confidence Of the Emperor, who i~nvaria-
bly, c~onsults them before giving orders
10 the actual oficeholders charged with
the duties Of executive administration.
Our author deems it fortunate for Japan
that he Emperor is only o. years old, and
thus has an advantage Of ten 10 twenty
years over the Elder Statesmen. who as
they pass away will leave him to hand on
the traditions Of the revolution to the
younger generation OF politicians who will
succeed them as his counsellors.
Theoretically, tho Emperor Of Japan
reigns, but does not govern. Ostensibly
true TO the oath which he swore in 1888, he
allows all things to be determined by pub
lie discussion" Nevertheless, parliament
tary government in Japan is still only nomi-
nal, and party government 10 in it's infancy.
Fundamentally. power is exercised not by
the Emperor nor even by the Ministers of
the moment but by the fast dwindling
oliearchy OF selected Elder Statesmen
who surround the throne. In this way the
principle OF family control is extended TO
the government Of the State. The Mikado
re CARDS himself as the head Of the family
OF Elder Statesmen, without whose advice
al critical conjunctures he comes TO no
decision and takes no definite action. Thus
has il come TO pass that the Elder Statesmen
are the true rulers Of Japan, the Emperor
being only the titular head and actually
possessing no more independent authority
thnn he used 10 nave before the abolition
Of the Shogunate.
Col. Murray goes on TO say, what indeed
has long been common knowledge in the
West. thai the most powerful Of the Elder
statesmen il tine Marquis Ito, VINO has been
four times Prime Minister and 10 now Presi-
dent Of the Privy Council. Sixty.hve years
OF age, but still fresh Of mind and vigorous
in body, suave Of manner yet strong in ac-
ton. a man Of wide sympathies and far
reaching ideas, and a tremendously hard
worker. Hirobumi Ito has outstripred all
his contemporaries. though these include
political leaders like Counts Inouye. Okuma
and ItsgaRi and military chiefs like Mar
shqls YamaRatR and Oyama. and has proved
h lnself Ca be the survivor OF the fttest Of
the revolutionary statesmen. We are told
that in TOXIC Marquis Ito holds = position
less defined but in substance moi less power
ful than that formerly held by the Toku-