Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-07-30
JAPAN S EMPE ROR
ANSWERS F|NAL
SUMMONS
for Forty-Four
Years Ruler of Empire, is No
More; Prince Succeeds to
Throne.

! IlltUllt,
(By Morning journal Special I~ases w,r~l
Toxic, july 30. Mutsuhito, tor for
| ty-four years emperor of Japan, died
lat i243 O'Clock this morning. Prince
yoshihito Haru- NO Miya reigns under
the formula provided by the constitu-
tion promulgated by Mutsuhito, the
! King is dead. long live the king"
| Mutsuhito. who was the one hum
dred and twenty first emperor OF Ja-
pan, passed gently away. He had been
unconscious many hours prior to his
| death and the empress the crown
prince and the most prominent offi-
clals of the household and govern
ment were at the bedside
Haruku. now doWager empress
Yields to Princess Sadako the young
empress. who Is the mother of three
sons. of whom the eldest is Hirohito
Dowager Empress Haruko has won
universal sympathy because Of her
luntirine vigil in the sick room, where
she remained continuously for ten
DAYS. Even ON the last day she pitt
fully begged the physicians to secure
Il short respite for the dying emperor
Everything known to science Was
done to prolong the life of the soVer-
ieign The whole nation watched pa
thcticallN. because the death OF the
emperor would esta abish new record
in the history Of Japan and the people
cling almost fercely to the tradition
with which the dying monarch appear
ed indissolubly linked.
The outcome was inevitable from
the start. on July l9th. Death was
due to acute nephrliis, otherwise
known as Bright's disease. This was
complicated by diabetes and an in
testinal affection. AS usual in such
cases the patient on occasions show
ed marked signs of Improvement, iol-
lowed by relapse. Since July 25th,
the condition of the emperor gradu-
ally became worse with high fever
weak and irregular pulse and shdi-
low respiration.
When the physicians recognized
the hopelessness of the case every
preparation was made for the end.
The imperial prince. the minister and
notables were summoned to the pal
ace and remained In the outer rooms
for twenty four hours. A few of the
oldest, who have been closely associ-
ated with the emperor. were permit
ted to see him while the public, con
trary to custom. were taken into the
confidence Of the physicians. who is
sued bulletins hourly giving details
of the progress OF the disease. Even
the last announcement-that OF the
death of the emperor--was made
within an hour.
At the end upwards of 10000 sub
jccts silently paid thcir last homage
outside the palace gates II was a
marvellous scene when messengers
silently mingled with the crowds and
scattered announcements of the ein-
perors death. Deep emotion swept the
multitude, but there was no evidence
of excitement
Within the palace The death was
communicated to the waiting impe-
rial princes and mobiles The accession
ceremonies were begun at the imperial
sanctuary at O'Clock. The shrine
was decorated according to the shin
to rites.
Prince Iwauk ura. the chief rituallst.
officiated laying the offering on the
sacred altar He was assisted " q
subordinate who rang a nell whlle the
offerings were being placed. The
oath was read in the presence OF the
ministers of state. the councillors and
other digntaries.
Mutsuhito, emperor Of Japan. pos
sessed a personality of which but lit
tie is generally known OF a quiet, un-
assuming nature. yet possessed of a
win of iron, he accomplished great
reforms.
AS statesman he commanded the
respect OF the nations Of the world
AS a leader of his people IN peace ana
in war he was both loved and feared.
TO his virtues they attributed the vac
tories over their enemies by land and
sea To his wisdom they credited the
advance Of ancient Japan to Il place
in the front rank of nations.
His reign began In 1867 and out |
lasted that of all but two or three
living monarchs. Under his rule ia
pan enjoyed an unprecedented era OF
Civilization has made !
rapid strides. The arts and IDEAS OF
the western world have been adopted |
and japan has emerged from dark |
ness into light. In 1853 the emperor |
esta blishcd a deliberative assembly. |
This and other reforms then inaugu-
rated ended fendaism which had
lasted for centuries in Japan. and |
the nation moved forward on the road |
IF progress. Everything European was
eagerly adopted, including irocn |
coats and patent leather boots for Of
fcials Torture Was abolished IN 1873.
ind q modern judicia code was au-
Ihorized The First railway was huilt |
in 1872 and the English language was
Taught i'm common schools. The en-
Iapan's supremacy in the east de-
pended largely upon her ability to
rule the seas and he promptly added
modern battlcships and fast drmUred
,ruiscrs to Japans navy.
lie armed his troops with modern
rifles and the performance OF the
Japanese soldiers IN the field amazed
The European experts who watched
The advance into Manchuria.
IN 1859 Mutsuhito married the
Princess Haru. daughter OF a noble
VI the first rank. lie leaves one son,
he crown prince. and four daughters.
The crown Prince Noshihito, who
succeeds 10 the throne was born on
August 81. 1879. He was made heir
apparent August 81 1887. proclaim
ID crown prince November g. 1885,
md decorated with the Grand order
If Merit and grand insignia OF the
imperial chrysanthcmum. He was
To be q lieutenant colonel in
he army and commander In the navy
n 1901 He became lieutenant general
md vice admiral on November .,
9O9
The prince was married to Princess
;adako. daughter of prince kuJO
dirhffaka on Nav 10. 1900.