Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-24
PREMIER Of JAPAN
DOESN'T USE WINE
But It Is With Tea Instead of
Grape Juice That He Re-
freshes Himself.
BRYCE TELLS JAPANESE
TO KEEP OLD CUSTOMS
Hopes Pieturesqueness Will Not Be
Lost in Copying West
ern Nations.

TOXIC. July 24.-Japan's prime min
lister Count Yamamoto, is total abstainer
from the use of spirituous liquors. but he
prefers his native tea TO grape juice In
his absteynioGsness he is also like Secre-
tary Of State Bryan in the fact that he
does not smoke. believing all Indulgence
in tobacco bad for his health
Count Yamamoto is an early riser At
8 o'clock precisely every morning he is
seen. in plain Japanese garb, taking a
walk in the ncishborhood of his resi-
dence in Toxic. Upon his return he reads
his papers with extraordinary attention.
from heavy editorials down to minor city
events. With Countess Yamamoto he
has plain breakfast. consisting Of milk,
eggs and rice. After breakfast he begps
TO get ready for his days worn, while his
wife prepares mis- tea.
Although an admiral, the premier wears
q frock coat. Punctuallr at he leaves
hts home In an automobile. and in fifteen
minutes he arrives at the cabinet offices
which are inside the palace compound
There he grimlv goes through piles of
state documents until at noon he takes
his European luncheon, which invariably
drives the severity from his countenance
and he is then ready for amiable confer
ences with his secretaries
The premier shuns social engagements
and late hours At pm. he leaves his
office and goes straight to his home.
Amer bath and a stroll in his garden
ne partakes OF hearty Japanese dinner,
for he is a healthy. stout old sailor with
q real appetite. He wears mustache
and beard. now almost gray, but his
most striking features are his eyes. bright
and penetrating. testifying to the power
and strength within. At the same time
ne has kind heart. His domestics char
Rcterfze him as an aIniable and sympa-
thetic master.
Bryce's Advice to Japan.
In the course of a notable snescb
made at Toxic. James Bryce, former
BRUSH ambassador at Washington.
SAID ne hoped that Japan would retain
her own form of civilization and not
permit her traditions to be swallowed
up by the civilization of the western
world He thought Il was refreshing
to meet type that was just as good
as the west and not at all nonotonous
An instance that Japan is retaining
her peculiar form of civilization was
found at the time Of the death this
month of Prince Arisugawa mem,
Der OF the imperial family, at Mako.
near Kobe, after lingering Illness.
Although everybody knew that the
prince was dead. the authorities made
that he should be regarded as living
until the body was transferred to
Toxic This took place several DAYS
after his actual demise. When the body
arrived at his Toxic residence near the
American embassy the government
made the announcement of his death
The reason for all this is found In
the old tradition and custom that no
member of the imperial family can die
outside OF the seat of the imperial gov
eminent. which today is Toxic. IL was
curious to note in the news columns OF
the Japanese newspapers side by side
with the report of his death and Incl
dents OF his career paragraphs stating
that Prince Arisugawa was about tc
return to the capital as his condition
had become critical
Some Japanese opinion is strongly OPP
posed to this custom. 1t was pointed out
that years ago Prince kitashirakawa.
while commanding the Japanese army In
Forrnosa. after the Chino-Japanese war.
died on the battlefield, being almost the