New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-30
MUTSUH|TO RE|GNED
AS JAPAN CHANGED
His SWAY Covered Period When
Empire of the East Became
Modern World Power.
ISOLATION WAS CAST OFF
Dead Emperor Opened Door to
Commerce and Witnessed
Establishment of Consti-
tutional Government.

=, was the destiny Of Mutsuhito TO rule
o-cr Iauan during the period when the
,-rnire threw off the shackles Of last
,rsd,,I~ns and customs and became
,,odern world power
--so first step I'm the transformation was
eve opening of the doors OF the long iso-
,o,ed nation to friendly intercourse with
a., rest of the world. The second stage
I, tho development was marked ny the
adoot,on Of a constitutional form of gov
ernment.
This was followed by the war with
China. the success of Japan serving 10 in
spi,e in the hearts of her people and
,nIar the belief that the empire was final
ly ready TO take her place among the
leading nations of the world.
The last chapter in the transition from
,he old 70 the new japan was recorded
when Russia's armies We're ingloriously
defeated by the Nippon soldiers. The nm
expected outcome of this conflict brought
the whole world into a realization OF the
advancement Japan had made.
Japsn's 121st Emperor.
NIutsuhito. the l2lst Emperor of japan
uas born at Kioto on November 3, 49,.
He was the second son OF the Emperor
Kouei and succeeded to the throne on
the death Of his father, in 1857. although
he was not actually crowned until the
following year.
When Mutsuhito became ruler he found
,be empire in a turmoil because OF the
concessions granted by the Shotgun I've
n,ochi 10 Commodore Perry of the United
States Navy For the first time in its his
tory Japan agreed to allow foreign vessels
10 obtain stores and provisions within It's
territory The agreement also permitted
American vessels to anchor in the ports
Of shinoda and Hakodate. This agree
nent offended many interests in the cin-
pire and so bitter did the feeling OF dis
satisfaction become throughout the en-
pire that the Mikado finally abolished tie
shogunate.
The Shotgun in Office at the time, Ke!hi.
acqulesced in the Emperor's action, oCt
faction of his adherents carried It's
protests so far that an armed force was
required to subdue II.
A progressive party soon sprang Up.
however and the idea Of opening the
japanese ports to the world rapidly grew
IN favor. The Mikado eventually threw
himself, heart and soul. into the move
ment. and In March. 1858, he invited rep
resentatives of the foreign powers 10 meet
him in a conference.
Unfortunately, Sir Harry Parkes, the
British Minister, was attacked while he
was on his way 20 the meeting place and
narrowly escaped assassination. The Sam
ural or warrior class, bitter opponents OF
the plan TO establish commercial relations
with the outside world, was held -respon-
able for the outrage.
The Mikado. on his part, did everything
possible in the way of reparation, and
the incident did not affect the cordial re-
lations existing with Great Britain.
Frames a Now Constitution.
While the Mikado was bending his en-
.rgies toward the promotion of japanese
commerce he also was giving consider
able thought 70 the framing OF new
constitution. 1t was his desire TO abolish
the ancient feudal system and In It's stead
establish a strongly centralized govern
ment.
The first step in this direction was
gained when the majority OF the dali
MICS. a class controlling large estates and
special privileges, made a complete sur
render TO the Emperor. Mutsuhito on his
part pledged himself to institute num-
ber Of reforms, including the establish
uent Of national deliberative assembly
European ideas and customs soon began
to get a strong hold in the country az the
result of these changes. tie Mikado CIV
tng every encouragement to their CROWN
In 1872 the first railway was opened from
Yokohama to Toxic. which had been mace
the new capital by Mutsuhito The Euro
bean calendar was adopted, system OF
laws based on the Code Napoleon was
promulgated and the English language
was introduced into the common school
course.
Those who etill chung TO the old order
of things resented the trend affairs were
taking, and during the period ls1e-6+ the
Nlkado was frequently engaged IN put
ling down rebelious uprisings. The fall
ure of China to punish certain Formosan
pirates az this time also forced the MI
kado TO resort 20 arms 70 get satisfaction.
Showed Zeal During Wars.
Flushed with pride at the rapid prog
ress his empire was making, Mutsuhlto
believed the time ripe to revise the
treaties with the foreign powers. Inc
regulations OF his ministers In this Gil
rection. however, did not meet with sue
cess. and as a result an intense hatred or
al things foreign spread through Japan.
Foreigners were insulted and waylaid'
and az a climax TO the bitterness an at
tempt was made 10 assassinate the nus
sian Czarevitch, now the Car Nlchoias
H. in the streets Of Toxic.
In 1894 Great Britain concluded ne"
treaty with Japan, and by 1871 the
treaties with several other powers haa
been revised 20 meet the MIikado's conten-
ton that certain clauses In the ola tredtles
purported 70 class Japan az an INFERIOR
power.
During the wars with China ana nus
sia Mutsuhito showed the greatest zeai
and enthusiasm. He reviewed the troops
when they left Japan for the continent
and personally distributed rewards 10
those who had distinguished themselves IN
battle
One attempt against the life OF Mutsu-
hito was reported. This was In iSll' II
was charged that the men concerned i'll
the plot were socialists, but later the au-
thOrities became convinced they were an
archists. Twelve OF the convicted con-
spirators we're executed and nufhper ol
Ofhars xg.ra saptepcad N Imprisonment