Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1912-08-02
JAPAN'S emperor
Died LAST TUESDAY
MUTSUHITO, MEMBER OFyOLD-
est REIGNING FAMILY,
SUFFERED LONG.
Had Reigned for Forty-four Years
Yoshihito Succeeds Him AS 122d EN-
peror of Japan-Vast Crowd Silent
Twenty Thousand At Palace Gates to
Pay Last Homage to Monarch.

Pay Last Homage to Monarch.
Toxic, July Mutsuhito, emperor
of Japan, died today at 12:43 a. m.
Acute nephritis was given as the cause
of death,
The crown prince, Yoshihito, has sue
ceeded to the throne.
The emperor had been unconscious
since dawn Monday. From that hour
his respiration had become more feeble
and he passed away in the presence of
the members of the imperial family and
the ministers of state.
The great crowds which had been
gathered for days outside the park
surrounding the palace, remained till
the end, in hushed silence, and even
when his majesty's death was an
nounced, remained in the vicinity, seem
inly hopelessly depressed.
The crown prince was overcome by
the sad event, and remained at the pal
ace in consultation with the ministers
of state arranging for the imperial
Iunefdl anu lOr Lne cOuuucI VI eIdtS
affairs.
The edict announcing Yoshihihto Is
succession to the throne will be pub
lished soon.
Was 121st Emperor.
Mutsuhito, who was the 121st en-
peror of Japan.
The date for the funeral has not yet
been fixed. Probably it will take place
emperor expressed a desire to be
buried on the site of Maruyama palace,
built by Hideyoshi in the 10th century.
The old form funeral ceremony doubt
less will be modified considerably be-
cause it is impossible to adapt old
usages to modern conditions, but many
unique customs will be retained.
Coronation in Year.
Under the household law the public
coronation of Emperor Yoshihito must
be held at Kyoto. This probably will
take place about year hence. De-
tails have not been announced. 1t is
believed that business will be inter
fered with as little as possible. AL
entertainments will cease for a pro
tracted period, which so far has not
been designated.
1t is not believed that the accession
of the new emperor will mark change
in Japanese policy. Yoshihito is highly
respected by his subjects.
Nu+euhi+o T.oved and Feared
Mutsuhito possessed a personality OF
which but little is generally known
OF a quiet, unassuming nature, YET
with a will of iron, he accomplished
great reforms AS a statesman he com
manded the respect of the nations Of
the world.
AS leader of his people in peace am
in war, he was both loved and feared
To his virtues they attributed the vic
tories over their enemies by land anC
sea. To his wisdom they credited thu
advance of ancient Japanese to plac'
in the front rank of nations
His reign began in 1867, and outlaste'
that of all but two or three living mon
archs.
When Mutsuhito succeeded his faith
err, Emperor Komel, in 1867, becoming
the 121st emperor of japan, the countr,
was then in ferment owing to conces
sions granted as a result of the visit o
the American expedition, commanded b.
Commodore Perry, IN 1s52-1s54. Thi
threw open some ports to foreign trade
1t was only by force of arms that tn
new ruler enforced the decree and save
Japan from reversion of primitive col
ditions.
Moved Capital to Toxic.
Mutsuhito invited representatives G
foreign governments to an audience
1868. While on his way to the capita
Sir Henry Parkes, the British ministe
was attacked by body of two-sworde
Samural, and narrowly escaped ASA
sination. The emperor made all pc
sible reparation, moved the capital fro
Kiato to Yedo, and marked the ever
by remaining the city Toxic, whiC
means eastern capital.
In 1869 the emperor established d
Lucrative assembly. This and other r
forms then inaupurated ended feuda