The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-08-05
Hirohito Possesses The
Democratic Ways
NOT LIKE ANCESTORS
Tokyo Court Influenced BY
What His Highness Learned
In the West .
limited Press Dispatch.l

Paris, August Prince H1rohfto,
the imperial visitor from Japan. has
caused establishment in official Europ-
can circles by his democratic ways
and his total departure from the ira
ditions that have bound his ancestors
from times immemorial, while the
members of the Japanese community
of Paris have looked on with no less
surprise at the doings of their social
leader.
Knowing the formality which sur
sounds personages of the imperial
family in the court of japan, officials
here were puzzled as to what attitude
they should assume towards the spe-
cial envoy of the land of the Rising
Sun. Whether they might shake han
with him, or talk freely with him as
they had to the Prince of Wales or
whether indeed their actions might be
wrongly interpreted as lacking IN re-
spect. ...'
Prince Enjoying Self
They were thus agreeably surprised
when they found in the young lad Of
twenty no trace Of the aloofness they
had expected, but smiling youth in
terested in the new experience he was
undergoing, and eager to learn the
ways of the people among whom he
was thrown. The Prince for his part
makes no secret of 1t, he is enjoying
himself thoroughly, and is frankly
pleased at the treatment he is being
accorded.
The Princes latest departure from
precedent was tea and bridge party
at which he was host to a small gath
ering of Japanese ladies, wives of the
members of the Embassy staff. The
guests were received in the Princes
private suite at the Embassy on the
Avenue Hoche. The gathering was
made to feel entirely at their ease.
He next entertained the ambassador
and secretries of the Embassy to
luncheon in the course of which he re-
lated to them some of his impressions
of Paris. He expected himself as par
ticularly interested in the shops and
window displays. The Prince is do
ing his own shopping. He wishes to
see the Paris shops himself and select
personally the presents he will bring
back to Japan.
Diamond Necklace For Mother
A few days ago he drove up to one
of the most fashionable jewellers of
| the Rue de la Paix and selected dia
mond necklace as present for his
mother, the Empress. The necklace,
beautiful chain of diamonds with
two large diamond pendants. was the
Princes own choice.
For his own use the Prince has &C
CURED a collection of fancy Parisen
canes. which will no doubt become
new vogue at the court of the Midako.
Publishing Reports Of Travel.
Tokyo, August Reports Of the
travels of the Crown Prince in various
countries in Europe are being publish
ed at great length in japan, and the
accounts of the democratic mingling
of this descendant of the Gods with
mere ordinary mortals are being re-
ceived with wonderment, but, as rule
with satisfaction.
The imperial household, the strong
hold of all that is conservation and
redolent with ancient ceremonial, has
even begun to awaken from its sleep
of centuries, and it is given out that
on the return of the Crown Prince
many reforms are to be carried out,
when much ancient ceremonial will be
replaced by more modern doings.
Thus it is understood that the i'm
oning the present rule which prevents
publication of pictures of the Crown
Prince without specific permission
having been granted. Admission to
certain of the Imperial grounds is also
to be made easier, and some of the
vast lands held by royalty may tie
opened for use by the people.
The prospect of visit in japan
by the Prince of Wales has brought
mp tc point tina: at that time it will
be necessary for the Crown Prince to
entertain his royal visitor at some
theatre, and many ceremonial compi-
cato Is must be considered. :.
To Westerner the shy little steps
taken by Japan in the direction Of
democracy are quite amusing, for royal
travel and the like is still attended by
an amount of circumstance and cere-
monial which cannot but seem ludi-
crous to republican eyes. However,
while the progress is gradual and by
small steps only, it is steady, and there
can be no doubt but that the travels
of the Crown Prince will do much to
hasten the process. .~'..