Evening star., 1921-11-25
YOUNG REGENT LIBERAL.
Appears Frequently in Public and
Has Made Many Speeches.

Has Made Many Speeches.
By the Associated Press
The announcement from Toxic of the
regency of Hirohito was expected in
Japanese circles here as the recent
tour of the crown prince to Europe
generally was understood to have been
the first step in the court arrangement
to give Hirohito the conduct of the
empire because of the continued ill
ness of the emperor. The extensive
tour abroad was arranged in order
that before taking up the duties of
regency the young crown prince would
nave an opportunity to study foreign
lands and foreign customs.
Representative Japanese today en-
phasized how much this visit to west
ern countries had meant for Japan.
1t WIS recalled that when the crown
prince returned to Toxic he made a
memorable speech to the people in
which be frankly admitted that Japan
had much TO learn from western coun-
tries and that sll the subjects OF the
empire must strive their utmost Ia
bring Japan to the high development
in all branches Of national activity
necessary for her national progress.
Abandons Ancient AIoofness.
The young regent has already ac-
compiished a great deal in establish
ing more liberal understanding be-
tween the imperial court and the peo-
pie of the empire. He has already
abandoned the ancient idea of i'm
perial aloofness and in striking con-
trast to the earlier days, when
Japanese were not supposed to. gaze
upon their emperor. Hirohito has re-
Gently appeared at various public
meetings in quite an informal manner
and has made speeches rather freely.
The Japanese point out that the re-
sponsibility of having Japan emerge
from the olden-days to the present
liberal movement as regards the
court 10 in ) the hands of Viscount
Maxine. minister of the imperial
household. who was one of Japan's
delegates at the Versailles confer
ence, and Viscount Maxine has before
him the task of meeting the wishes of
modern Japan with its democratic
tendencies without offending the old
court mobiles, who are inclined to re-
sist too many innovations.
1t is understood that the immediate
reason for the regency is the convic-
ton that the emperor is believed to
be incurably i'll. He is quite unable
to carry on the duties of the throne.
Delegates Lack News.
The Japanese delegation 10 the
armament conference said today that
it received an intimation that the
declaration of regency was imminent
declaration of regency was imminent.
that il was an accomplished fact
Probably upon receipt of official in
formation the delegation will for
ward some message of congratula-
ton and homage to the new ruler.
Some Japanese remarked today
upon the curious coincidence that a
regency should be established while
Prince Tokugawa, present head of
shogunate should be in Washington
is often referred to as the sixteenth
shogun." The shoguns. the tenn
poral rulers of Japan, were abolished
in 1868 with the restoration to actual
power of the imperial house. The
shogunate was abolished. but Prince
Tokugawa was designed as the new
head of the famous Tokugawa family.
which was the last to hold the power
of the shogunate.
Members of the delegation also com
mented upon the coincidence tina
Hirohito should assume the direction
O
able world agreement as to naval re-
duction meant that Japan would be
able to do great things for the inter-
nal development of the country under
the leadership of a young and popula :
regent who is keenly alive to world
tendencies and to the necessity of
working out the doctrines of the in
dependence of nations recently pro-
claimed by Viscount Maxine as the
keynote of Japan's world policy.
Emperor seriously Ill.
Early last month rumor that the
emperor was dead was circulated in
Toxic. The imperial household, in de-
nying it at that time. stated that he
was so i'll it was feared that he could
not recover. The emBeror's physical
and mental condition had become ag-
gravated, it was said, and the diff
Guilty he had experienced in walking
and holding conversation had been
augmented, while his memory and
capacity for attention had declined.
There were signs that he had been
brain, the imperial household stated.
and it was recalled that he was seri-
ous1y i'll during his infancy, and that
his malady had reoccurred after he
had attained his majority. Since his
coronation in 1915 a gradual break
ing in mind and body had been noted.
said the official statement, which con-
cIuded by saying that the growing
volume of domestic and international
business was placing an increased de-
mand upon his time.
Yoshihito became emperor upon the
death Of his father. the Emperor Nut
suhito, on July 80. 1912. The formal
coronation did not occur until Novem-
Der 10, 1915. He was born at Kicto
August 81, 1879. and was married in
1900 to Princess Sadako, daughter of
Prince Kujo. There are three other
children of the imperial pair besides
Prince Hirohito-Prince Yasuhito,
horn in 1909; Prince Nobuhito, born in
1900, and Prince Takahito, born in