New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-11

former Premier Of Japan, died here to-
day after an extended Illness.
Prince Taro katsura rose TO a place q
power in the japanese government against
great obstacles, for in his early days he
was first obscure and then unpopular.
Little is known of his early life He did
not come at all into prominence until
some twenty years ago, although he was
born in 1877 at Cho-Shu. When a youth
he entered the army and saw his first
fighting in the Tol<ugawa war and again
i'm the civil war of lSj7GS
After the close OF the last named war
Katsura took up the study of military sci
ence. and at his own expense went to
Berlin TO complete his studies. lie left
Brlin in the early '70s, and in 1874 re-
ce!ved a commission as captain in the
japanese army. The following year he
was appointed military attache in Ber-
lin. and was promoted To the rank #
major. W me 1T btfllli hdNshld fN-l-
cised wonderful diplomacy and diligence,
and ii was not long before he had attract
ed attention to himself in Toxic. He was
recalled to Japan in 1876 and attached
to the General STAFF OF the army and also
made secretary OF the Cabinet. katsura
began TO distinguish himself, and in 1882
he was promoted to the rank of colonel.
With his promotion he was attached 10
the suite Of the Minister OF War, Marshal
Oyama. and went with the minister on an
extended European trip Of inspection.
Promoted Maior General.
Upon his return to Japan in 1885. Kat
sura was made a major general and chief
Of the Bureau OF Military Affairs. He
proved to be extremely satisfactory In
this place. and in 1856 was made Under
Secretary of War. serving in that ca
pacity until 1891.
In 1909 katsura was made lieutenant
general. and was placed In command of
the division OF the Nogoya. which he led
I'm the war with China. In this war lie
distinguished himself by his daring and
his strategy. and upon his return TO
Japan. after wintering with the army, ne
was created a vlscount and rewarded with
the decoration Of the third order Of the
Golden Kite.
II is at this point that Katsura's rise
in politics began. \ change In the gov
eminent was approaching, and katsura
seemed aware Of the fact He did not
cast his lot with party politics, but he
hzF "a
means rose TO the place Of Premier OF
Japan
Katsura served as Governor General or
Formosa from 1896 TO 1895 when he eft
the post 10 become Minister Of War. lie
held this post until 1900. when the fourth
ministry collapsed. katsura was ihen
prevailed upon to form new Cabinet,
the Cabinet which will be remembered in
japanese history because of its conclusion
OF the Anglo-Japanese treaty and because
Of the outbreak OF the war with Russia.
Katsura was created count In 1902. and
I'm 1907 he was made a marquis.
Won Where Ito Lost.
When Katsura started In 1901 TO form
his Cabinet failure was predicted for him
because other and older statesmen had
failed, even the renowned Prince Ito; but
Katsura was not to be bailied. He did
his work well, and instead Of forming a
Cabinet To last "A few months, he got to-
eether men who kept their places for
years.
His negotiation OF the treaty with Great
Britain stamped him as a diplomat of the
highest order, and he was called the
greatest Premier Japan ever had. He met
the strongest opposition on every hand In
bringing about the treaty, but he did
not waver.
There was great opposition to katsura
when he first became Premier, and 1t was
declared that "militarsm would run
riot. He speedily proved that his course
would be contrary TO general belief, and
full confidence was reposed In him until
the all Of his ministry. In 1876. katsura
formed his second Cabinet in 1908, To sue
coed tho Saionji Cabinet. and in 1911 he
resigned as Premier II was at this time
that the title of prince was conferred upon
him. He returned to office the same year,
and resigned the Premiership last spring.
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