The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-09-22
JAP ANS PRIME
MINISTER is
AN ABSTA|NER
COUNT YAMAMoTo DOES NOT
INDULGE IN STRONG DRINK,
AND PREFERS HIS NATIVE TEA
TO GRAPE JUICE.

Toxic. Sept 21.-Japan's prime min
J lister, Count Yamamoro, is "a total alb
| stainer from the use Of spirituouS
| liquors. but he prefers his native tea
| to grape juice. In his abstemiousness
! he is also like Secretary of State Bry-
an in the fact that he does not smoke
believing all Indulgence in tobacco bad
for his health.
Count Yamamoto is an early riser
At o'clock precisely every morning
he is seen, in plain Japanese garb
taking walk in the neighborhood OF
his residence in Toxic. Upon his re-
turn he reads his papers with extra
ordinary attention, from heavy edi-
torials down to minor city events.
With Countess Yamamoto he has a
plain breakfast, consisting Of milk,
eggs and rice. After breakfast he be-
gins to get ready for his days work,
while his wife prepares his tea.
Although an admiral. the premier
wears a frock coat. Principally at 8
he leaves his home In an automobile,
and in fifteen minutes he arrives at
the cabinet offices, which are inside
ly goes through piles Of state docu-
ments until at noon he takes his
European luncheon, which invariably
drives the severity from his eounte-
nance. and he is then ready for amia-
BILE conferences with his secretaries.
The premier shuns social engage
ments and late hours. At p. m. he
leaves his Office and goes straight ia
his home. After a bath and a stroll
in his garden, he partakes of a hearty
japanese dinner, for he is a healthy,
stout old sailor with real appetite.
He wears moustache and beard, now
almost grey. but his most striking fea-
lures are his eyes, bright and pene-
trating. testifying to the power and
strength within. At the same time he
has a kind heart. His domestics
chara cterize him as an amiable and
sympathetic master.
Bryce's Good Wishes.
In the course of a notable speech
made at Toxic the Hon. James Bryce,
former British ambassador at Wash
ington said he hoped that Japan
would retain her own form of civil
ization and not permit her traditions
to be swallowed up by the. civilization
of the western world. He thought 1t
was just as good as the west and not
a tall monotonous
An instance that Japan is retaining
her peculiar form of civilization was
found at the time Of the death last
of the imperial family. at Mako. near
Kobe, after lingering Illness Al
though everybody knew that the
prince was dead. the authorities made
no official announcement and insisted
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 gov
eminent 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
government, which today is Toxic. It
was curious to note in the news col
umns of the Japanese newspapers side
by side with the report OF his death
and incidents of his career. para graphs
stating that Prince Arisugawa was
about to return to the capital as his
condition had become critical.
Some Japanese opinion is strongly
10 this custom It was point
ed out that years ago Prince Kitashi-
rakawa while commanding the Jap
anese army at Fornlosa. after the
war, died on the battle
field. being almost the first imperial
prince to lose his life al the front in
the cause of his country. This event.
which was an incentive to popular
loyalty to the crown, was carefully
concealed by the authorities who an
later that the prince had
come to Toxic TO report to the throne
about the campaign and died at the
capital. Newspapers alleged that this
procedure only served to dim the
lustre of the princes heroism al the
front. The practice should be abol-
ished, they contended. as an obnoxious
old time custom which is more or less
ridiculous.