The Tomahawk., 1915-12-23
Revelations Of An
Copyright, 1915, by W. G. Chapman)
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

1 happened to be in Tokyo at the
time of what is called, in inner dip
Hlomatic circles, the Household Plot.
How nearly it succeeded in embroiling
the United States and Japan only i've
men know in detail. The first of
these is Sir Arthur Sturt, the British
ambassador to the mikados court.
The second is the Chinese minister.
The third is myself. The fourth is
Count Okuma, the astute one-legged
statesman, who has been moving
power in Japanese affairs since the
reform era began-or was, until the
events that shall describe occurred.
The fifth is Doctor Fong, and where
he is nobody knows.
I was not in Japan in any Official
capacity. was there renewing my &C.
uuaintance with old scenes and per-
sons. when Sir Arthur, from whom l
had parted the night before, on the &C.
casion Of Lady Sturt's reception, and,
as I thought, probably forever-since
was planning to sail for Shanghai
sent for me by special embassy mes
senger.
I knew that some matter Of the
gIlvest import muht have happened 10
cause him to summon me at eight
o'clock in the morning. The cause
was partly revealed, however, when,
on bringing mo my breakfast, my Chi
nese boy informed me that his NAL
esty, Mutsuhito, emperor of Japan,
was dying.
had known Of the precarious con-
dition Of his health, and that the fatal
climax of his wasting disease might
occur at almost any time; still, the
shock ssemed to have been very sud
den, for when I said good-by to Sir
Arthur, the evening before, his
majesty was reported to be in excel
lent health.
I had 8 'ricksha called and hastily
made my way into the embassy COM
pound. where the ambassadors secre-
tary was awaiting me with very
grave expression upon his face.
"You have heard the news?" he
asked. Ellis majesty
"Is dead" I exclaimed.
HE has been dead two days." he
answered.
This news was confirmed by Sir Ar
thur, who looked even graver as no
motioned me to chair.
IT have been told, Mr.. x" he
began, "that you have more intimate
acquaintance with the court life OF
Japan than any man since Bertram
Milford"
"Your excellency is very kind" l
began, but Sir Arthur cut me short.
"This is no time for COMPLIMENTS
he interrupted brusquely. Il have
Just been informed that the emperors
death has been kept secret these two
days for the gravest reasons. You
are, believe, personally acquainted
with Count Okama?'
GAS everybody is" I answered. For
Count Okuma, stumping around on his
wooden 1eg-the other was destroyed
years ago by fanatics bomb;
Okuma, the friend Of foreigners, the
man whose affectation Of the simple
life led him to carry home his own
laundry; Okuma, the patron Of west
ern learning, the widest and most
astute of the complex-minded advisers
Of the late emperor, was the most &C.
cessible and friendly of men.
II am informed, beyond the POSSIBLE
ty of doubt" said the ambassador,
that Okuma has now in his pocket an
altimatum to be presented to the
American minister this afternoon, at
The palace"
saw at once the meaning of the
conspiracy of silence. Mutsuhito, OF
course, would never have sanctioned
war with the United States; and
Ycshihito, his heir, and now in theory,
though not in fact, emperor Of Japan,
was even more firmly pro-American.
The interregnum, thus artificially Gre
ated, was to be utilized by Count
0kuma and the cabal which he had
,ormed for the purpose Of an attack
Upon the Philippines.
"The name of his late majesty was
forged to this document, which is writ
.en on the regulation thick red state
aote paper" continued Sir Arthur.
Japan demands that the United States
svacuate the Philippines within a
week. And you see how this affects
Great Britain
I certainly did. AS treaty ally Of
Japan. England would be compelled
% stand aside, if she did not partici-
pate in the attack, impotent to aid
America Her action would doubtless
be construed as an alliance with
Japan, or at least a participancy in
aer treachery, and the people Of the
United States, stung to the quick,
would certainly declare war upon Eng
land, with results intellectually evil to
humanity.
And, with all respect to the valor of
- ,~l1 OI,S1s