The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-23
His Death Might Be Signal
for Upheaval in
Japan
SENTIMENT EXISTS
! FOR REPUBLICAN FORM
Disturbance Would Have Effect
Of Pushing Quarrel With
This Country Into
the Background
WASHINGTON, May ss.--The new

WASHINGTON, May 22.-The news
OF the serious illness OF the emperor
OF Japan. who is suffering from in
f;ammation of the lungs. was tonight
regarded as the most important de-
veiopment In the present situation be-
tween the United States and that
country over the California land leg
islation. The possibilities suggested
by the news of the mikado's cond,-
ton overshadowed in significance the
Information that the japanese govern
ment liz dissatisfied with the reply Of
the United States to the protest
against the California law.
Unofiieial information received
here, created the impression that EN-
peror Yoshihito Is in danger.
Popular Feeling.
1t Is generally conceded here that
the death of the emperor would be
likely to result in a political up
heaval in Japan. The disturbance in
China ending with the establishment
of republic has been echoing in
Japan. and the symptoms of political
unrest. manifest among the japanese
populace .or the last two years. have
been a source of great anxiety to the
governing class In that country. Such
an uphcaval in the political affairs OF
Japan undoubtedly would serve to
distract the attention of the people
Of that country from the present con-
troversy with the United States
The anxiety with which the admin
istration regards the preservation OF
friendly relations with the Japanese
government was indicated this after
noon in the haste with which Presi-
dent Wilson dispatched q message OF
sympathy to the mikado.
President Sends Message.
The news OF thc emperor's ulness
hardly had been published when Q
message was sent from the White
House In advance OF any ofiicial dis
patch from the American embassy al
Toxic. giving confirmation of the press
reports. The presidents message to
the emperor was as follows:
Report received through press
agencies are current to the effect tina,
your majesty Ia indisposed. have
heard these reports with sorrow and
with great concern. Should they
prove to be true, desire to offer ia
your majesty for myself and for the
government and people OF the United
States the assurances of my sincere
/ sympathy snd to express the ardent
{
/ be of brief duration. and your recov-
cry rapid and complete
| On the other hand. dispatches from,
Toxic as to the light in which the
Japanese government views the reply
OF the United States. were far from
reassuring. In fart todays inforiua-
ton from Toxic verified The prediction
that has ceen made II. these ois-
/ patches that presidcn. Wilson: would
! find II pracr. cally Impossible I" say
anything TO Japan which would salts
fy her demands in the controversy.
/ No. New Instructions.
| Ambassador Chinda had not re-
| ceived any fresh instructions frop1
Toxic this afternoon. but 1t is ex.
pected he will receive some by to.
morrow. This expectation is based
on the news from Toxic.
| 1t is expected that upon the oc.
casion OF his next call the ambassador
will state that what his government
desires is the elimination or nullifca
ton OF the California statute, and tina
1t leaves II to the Judgment of tn.
president and his advisers as to how
that can best be accomplished. Suci
statement, 1t Is believed. would brins
the controversy to a head quickly.