Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-26
PRINCE REGENT
(centinusd from Page One,

| ueNc1opuSAs AZ AAS PAy SaSoA SohoA-
ton.
According to DR.. Ikebe. chief ply
stefan to Emperor Yoshihito. HIS
1 condition has changed little since
last October. Restraint OF speech
and nervous debility are declared by
the physician to be his chief all
| ments.
| The emperor continues the eccen-
7, tricities which have marked his con-
dition, but DR.. Ikebe reports they are
not so frequent as formally. He re-
| quires assistance only in mounting
stairs. His appetite does not show
signs of serious decline While there
is not a prospect Of prompt recovery
there is no reason to look for an ag-
gravation OF his condition in the
near future.
| The emperor and empress, it is ex-
pected, will pass the winter at Hay
anna, removing to the Aoyama palace
in Toxic in the spring.
Changes in the make up of the inn
perial household, including the re-
tirement of Prince Yamagata from
his position as chief of the privy
council, are expected by the news
papers.
| Designation of Crown Prince Hiro-
hito as regent Of Japan follows re-
ports which have been in circulation
( for about a year that Emperor Yoshi-
| hito was In bad physical condition. a
| dispatch to Honolulu newspaper in
May of last year reported that he
had suffered a mental and physical
| breakdown. Early last month a rumor
| that he was dead circulated in Toxic
| and the imperial household in denying
1t at that time stated he wis so i'll
1t was feared that he could not re-
cover. The Emperor's physical and
| mental condition had become agra
waited, 1t was said. and the difficulty
ne had experienced in walking and
holding conversation had been, aug
mented. while his memory and capac-
ity for attention had declined.
Since his coronation in 1915, grad
ual weakening in mind and body had
been noted, said the official statement.
Yoshihito became Emperor upon
the death of his father. the Emperor
Mutsuhito. on July 80. 1913. The form
al coronation. however did not occur
until Nov. 10. 1915. He was born at
Kioto, Aug. 81, 1879, and was married
in 1900 to the Princess Sadako,
daughter of Prince kujo. There are
three other children of the Imperial
pair besides Prince Hirohito-Princc
Yasuhito, born in 1902. Prince Nobu
hito. born in 1905. and Prince Taxa
hito, born in December, 1915.
Crown Prince Nichi- No-Mlya of
Japan was born April 20. 19e1, and
was proclaimed heir apparent in 1912.
when his father became emperor at
the death of Mutsuhito and was form
ally consecrated as Crown Prince in
a major of infantry in the Japanese
1916. Prince Michi as he is called, is
army and a Iieutenant-commander In
the navy. He has always been a close
student Of history and geography and
since 1919, when he attained his ma
jority. has participated in the coun-
ellis of the Imperial family and occu-
pied seat in the House of Peers IN
the Imperial Diet.
He is said to possess IAN observing
disposition, retcntive memory and
desire for knowledge"
Beginning when he was six years
ofd, he rec eived common school
education in Toxic and studied under
private tutors in the Imperial Educa-
ton Institute at Takio.
In May 1920, the illness Of Emp
error Yoshihito had become so grave
that he relinquished some of his du-
ties to Prince Michi and the Prince
received foreign diplomats on an i'm
portant state function. In the spring
Of 1921 the Emperor broke an ancient
Japanese tradition by sending the
Crown Prince on a visit to Europe.
1t was reported at that time that
his proposed tour abroad was due
to an intrigue to annul his engage
ment to marry TIE Princess lagako.
About this time there was a move
ment to have him declared Prince
Regent owing to the long continued
illness of his father. Before he sailed
for Europe, it was announced in
Toxic that his wedding would take
place, after he returned from abroad.
In the spring of 1921 the Prince visit
ed England. Scotland. France Bel
gium, Holland and Italy-the first
japanese Prince who ever left his
native country. He was accompan-
led by Admiral Togo, who for num-
Der of years had directed his educa-
ton. He was made an honorary
general in the British army and
knight OF the Order Of the Bath by
King George and was entertained by
the royal houses of the other nations
and received in audience by Pope
| Benedict.
! In an interview in London. the
Prince said he looked forward to
visit to the United States at some
other time.
Upon his return TO Toxic, after
seven months absence, the Crown
Prince issu ID a message to the ma
ton, in which he said he appreciated
the hospitality and courtesy accorded
him everywhere and that he believed
his trip would be helpful to Japan. L
confess" he added, that there are
number of things which we Japanese
have yet TO learn, from the. countries
l visited. 1t is my ardent wish that
the whole nation apply itself with re-
| doubled energy to the promotion OF
national prosperity by adopting
whatever is good that foreign coun-
tries possess"