Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-25
In WASHINGTON
NOT SURPRISED AT CHANGE

Washington, Nov. 2o.-The an
nouncement 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 I'm the court arrange
ment to give Hirohito the conduct of
the empire because of the continued
Illness of the emperor. This tour,
which was quite extensive was ar
ranged in order that before taking UP
the duties of regency the young crown
prince would have an opportunity to
study foreign lands and foreign Gus
toms.
Representative japanese today EN-
| phasized how much this visit TO west
ern countries had meant for Japan.
1t was recalled that when the crown
prince returned 10 Toxic he made a
memorable speech to the people In
which he frankly admitted Japan had
| much to learn from western countries
and that all the subjects 10 the en-
pire must strive their utmost To bring
Japan to the high development neces-
sary for her national progress.
The regent, who Is only twenty years
old has alrtady accomplished great
deal i'm establishing more liberal
understanding between the imperial
couro and the people of the empire. He
has already abandoned the ancient Idea
of imperial aloofness, and IN striking
contrast to the earlier days when
Japanese were not supposed to gaze
lupon their emperor, Hirchito &as re
1 nt lf-ir
meetings In quite an Informal manner
and has made number OF speeches.
japanese here assert the RESPONSE
Ibility of having Japan emerge from the
old ends to the present liberal move
ment as regard the court is. however
I'm the hands OF Niscount Maxine
minister of the imperial household
who was one of Japan's delegates al
the Versailles conference. Niscoun'
Maxine has before him the task ol
meeting the wishes of modern Japan
with its democratic tendencies with
, out Offending the old court mobiles who
are inclined to resist too many IN
rovations. 1t is the understanding
} here among Japanese that the i'm
mediate reason for the emergency II
= the conviction that the emperor is in
curably 81. and is quite unable t.
carry on the duties of the throne.
The Japanese delegation to the arm
ament conference said today tf1R
, received an intimation that declara
: ton OF the regency was Imminent
but had not been officially informe
1 that il was an accomplished fact
Some Japanese remarked today upo
the curious coincidence that n regenc
should be established while Prime
lTokugawa. present head of the Shoe
-, unate. should be in Washington a
' a delegate. In Japan Tokugawa
often referred to as the sixteent
:, Shotgun" The Shoguns. the temport
rulers OF Japan. were abolished in 1S6
q with the restoration of actual pows
y OF the imperial house. The Shoguna'
y was abolished, but Prince Tokugaw
q was designated as the new head I
@ the famous Tokugawa family whic
was the last to hold the power of II
Shogunate.
Members Of the delegation also con
p mented on the coincidence that Hir,
hito should assume the direction
,f the empire at a time when probab
l. world agreement as 20 naval reducti,
=. meant Japan would be able to do gre
ir things for the internal developme
ID of the country under the leadership
c, young and popular regent who
ot keenly alive to world tendencies al
~ To the necessity of working out Il
u doctrines of the interdependence
nations recently proclaimed by vi
N count Maxine as the keynote of j
pans world policy.