The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-07-21

was announced in the Nichi Nichi at LIE
o'clock this afternoon, and 1t spread
through the entire empire very rapidly.
The suspense OF the people over the
Illness of tn Emperor deepened during the
day. and at q. m. the entire city of
Tokyo was impressively quiet. Anxious
silent crowds were assembled about the
newspaper bulletin boards.
Situation without Precedent.
The present situation is without prece-
dent in the history Of the new Japan.
The news Of the Emperor's illness came
as an absolute surprise, and its an
nouncement resulted in the quick col
lapse OF prices on the local stock Ex-
change
The ertunr to Tokyo of Prince Katsura,
the ex-Premier, who left some days ago
on mission to Europe, Is expected.
The prince was among the first to be offi-
cially notified by telegraph of the En-
peror's illness.
japanese newspapers to-day published
editorial articles praying for the speedy
recovery of the Emperor, and setting
forth their loyal sentiments. They re-
fer in grateful terms to his splendid
services to his country.
Born in 1852.
Mutsuhito, the 121St Emperor or ia
pan. was born at Kioto on November 3,
1852. He is the second son of the late
Emperor Komei He was nominated
Prince Imperial and heir apparent on
November 10, 1860, and succeeded to
the throne on the death of his father
in 1867. He was crowned at Kioto
on October IL, 1858. Eleven days later
he chose the name of MoiJi to designate
II l.N- ~-Az
on February 8. 1863 to the third daugh-
ter of Ichijo Tadaka, a noble Of the
first rank. His wife was born in 1850.
She is known as her Imperial Majesty
Haruko.
The present heir apparent to the jap
anese throne is Yoshihito, the third son
of Mutsuhito. He was born on August
81, 1879, and was nominated heir ap-
parent in 1887. and proclaimed crown
prince in 1883. Prince Yoshihito has
served in the army and navy of his
and in 1909 became both a
lieutenant general and a vice admiral
May 10. 1900. he was married to Prin-
cess Sabako, fourth daughter of Prince
Kujo Michitaka. The crown prince has
three sons, the youngest of whom was
born in 1905.
Lived Life of Seclusion.
while the Emperor or Japan has been
The ruler of his country for the last
iorty-three years, a period during which
he empire has made remarkable in
iustrial and political progress. ne has
lived a life Of comparative seclusion and
has rarely appeared in the conduct of
Affairs of state. He has worked through |
lis ministers and advisers. The war with |
Russia and its successful outcome was
me of the notable events of his reign.
One attempt against the Emperor's life |
las been reported. This was in 1911 1t
vas charged that the men concerned in |
he plot were Socialists. but afterward |
t was asserted that they were anarchists. |
Twelve of the convicted conspirators |
we're sentenced to Imprisonment for a |
ERIN Of years.
Emperor Mutsuhito has exchanged va
ious messages with President Taft, q i
recent one being a dispatch
Mr.. Taft for the American hos
vitality shown to Admiral Count Togo in
his country in 1911. TIE Emperor caused
o be sent to this country recently a |
arge consignment of japanese cherry |
rees. These were planted in Riverside |
Park. New York City.