The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-11-09

to say how much the news had caused
a feeling of deep sorrow throughout
the United States.
The death Of Premier Hara, who
had attained dominating political
influence in the Japanese empire, and
who was expected personally to shape
from Tokyo the Japanese policy at the
Forthcoming conference, is very
serious loss to Japan at time when
that country is passing through al
period of intense transition. The en-
peror, Yoshihito, is incurably i'll, men
tally and physically, and is no longer
able to carry on his duties.
1t is understood that plans have
been under consideration to establish
regency under the crown prince,
Hirohito, who recently returned from
tour of Europe, Mr.. Hara and Vis-
count Maxine, the household minis
ter, have been trying to solve the
problem of undermining the Japanese
court and seeking means to bring it
nearer to the people of aJpan who
are clamoring FOR development of
their country along the lines Of de-
mocracy.
New social ideas, even Bolshevistic,
have been coming in, influencing the
thought of the people.
Mr.. Hara frequently referred in
public addresses to the dangers of a
too rapid absorption of Western So
cial ideas into Japanese life, believing
that his country could not quickly
digest successfully Western concepts
Of society. Gradually his influence
grew until the Japanese began to look
upon him as popular leader at
rather critical moment of their his
tory. 1t was common saying at
Tokyo that Hara alone was running
Japan and that it was his decision
alone that always obtained. He sue
ceeding. in inducing General Tanaka,
until recently minister of war, to
bring about more Straightforward
cooperation between the military ele-
ments and the civic branches of the
government. 1t was Hara who franz
ed the policy of accommodation and
conciliation which the Japanese pleni-
potentiaries announced as their con-
ference policy when they entered this
country.
Important public personages in ia
pan are never announced as dead, al
though actually so, until the emperor
has been notified Of the demise, and
it is possible this ancient custom may
account for the fact that the Japanese
delegation tonight was still without
official announcement of the premier's
death.
All Japanese official dinners have
been suspended.
Sennosuko Yokota, chief of the leg
islative bureau Of the Japanese cab
met and a personal representative of
Premier Hara at the conference, de-
cided to return to Japan Immediately.
Before the Japanese delegation left
Japan, threatening letters were re-
ccived by it's members, including
Prince Tokugawa, to whom were for
warded suggestive and sinister draw
ings Of the assassination of Minister
Mori in 1889 and the recent murder
of Yasuda, millionaire banker.
The receipt Of the letters alleged
to have been signed by Koreans caus-
ed the American authorities to adopt
unusual precautions during the jour
ney of the delegates from Seattle to
Washington. The Japanese plenipo-
tentiaries conferred this evening on
the situation and the embassy an
nounced that tomorrow's reception
would be postponed but not cancelled.
1t added that no official word concern
ing the assassination had come from
the foreign office at Tokyo. Among
the diet members who are here to
assist officially the Japanese delega-
ton to the conference, the opinion
was expressed that the Seiuy-kai, or
government party, of which Mr.. Hara
was the head, retains it's power, Prince
Saoniji, who was the chief delegates
to the Versailles peace conference,
would seem the logical choice for
premier.
Repeated attempts have been made
at Tokyo to overthrow the Hara cab
met. Mr.. Hara was particularly at