The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-05-23
Tokyo Alarmed at Condition
of Ruler, Whose Death at
This Time Might Over
throw Dynasty Domestic
Questions Pressing Apart
From California Matter
EMPIRE IN TURMOIL
OVER MANY MATTERS
Extension Of Franchise to
Adult Males, Protests
Against Taxation and
Other Demands Annoy
Imperial Government =
Young Prince in Danger
BULLETIN

TOKYO. May 23.-The following
statement WINS made by Count Wafan-
abe, minister of the household, this
morsing. regarding the condition of
Emperor Yoshihito.
sHis majesty IL asleep. Conditions
hnye not changed since yesterday and
nre not serious. The bulletin issued
by the attending physicians apprised
the people of the real condition of the
Imperial patient. His majesty has been
I'm good health since ascending the
throne, despite the report that he suf-
fcred from weakness of the lungs, and
he has actively attended to affairs of
state.
Especial Cable to The Call,
TOKYO. May e2.-The emperor Is
gravely i'll.
After a restless night. during which
the empress and two physicians were
almost constantly at his bedside, a
high fever developed.
ThereS1s serious anxiety in oficial
quarters. as his imperial majesty is
very weak and his lungs badly in
famed and congested.- Emperor Yos-
hihito has never been very robust. al :
though he has iutsrested himself in
physical exercise. as well as b &E
one OF the most learned men in the
empire.
During his childhood he had several
serious illnesses, one of which caused
chronic debilitation.
EIGHT PHYSICIANS ATTEND
The issuing of the bulletin admit
ting the gravity of the case. and the
fact that his majestys cold has de-
veloped Inflammation OF the lungs. was
a great shock to the people of Japan.
Eight physicians are in consultation
and each signed the public notifica-
ton.
emit political juncture the consequences
may be fatal to order and the dynasty.
The crown prince at Hirohito is a boy
of II. It is feared that old quarrels
between the leading families might be
revived during a long regency, and the
absence OF direct influence by the en-
peror upon the patriotism OF the people.
Apart from the California discussions,
Pin connection with which his majesty s
voice has been constantly exercised for
patience and peace, several very diffi-
cult domestic questions are pressing
for solution.
EMPIRE IN TURMOIL
Appeals have been made by dema-
gogues for an immediate extension of
the franchise to the great number OF
present system. Conservative leaders
fear that this course would greatly
weaken the stability OF parliament and
lead to disastrous interruption of
financial economies. which are vital in
order to repay the debts incurred dur
ing the war with Russia.
Protests against necessary taxation
and numerous industrial disputes also
call for very delicate handling. And.
permeating all these political compli-
cations is the continuous unrest of
the illiterate and the gradual weaken
ing OF respect for the sacred person
OF the monarch.
For these reasons and others of less
moment a fatal termination OF the en-
peror's Illness would be doubly sorrow
full for Japan. 1t would be a throne
OF dangers and of doubtful security
that Prince Hirohito would ascend.
Emperor Yoshihito succeeded his
He is in his ttirty-fourtli year