New-York tribune., 1921-02-14
Allegations That Visit
of Hirohito to London
Aims to End Betrothal
TO Nagako Are Made
Move Started TO
Make Him Regent
Case Declared Most Ex-
traordinary in Dynastic
History of the Empire

TOXIC, Feb. 13 (By The Associated
Fress).--The proposed visit at an early
date Of the Japanese Grown Prince to
England has behind it "court in
trigue." The case is declared to form
one of the most extraordinary Incl
dents in the dynastic history of the
empire.
Ifere Is even a movement on foot to
have the Crown Prince declared regent
of the empire to keep him from leav-
ing Japan.
Allegations have been made that the
real reason for the visit abroad of
Crown Prince Hirohito is due to in
'rlgue within the court to bring about
cancellation of the betrothal of the
Crown Prince to Princess Nagako,
daughter of General Prince Kuni The
dousehold Department has issued an
oihclal statement that "rumors seem
TO be current" concerning the engage
ment of the Grown Prince to Princess
Nagako, but that the nation should
understand that no change whatsoever
is contemplated concerning the mar
rlage contract as already informally
settled.
Press Alleges Intrigue
With view to removing doubts and
uneasy feelings on the part Of the
people" the Home Department has is
sued a similar communication, This
no pt,ot, J.
kamura,. Minister of the household.
has decided to resign. It is reported
also that Mr. Ishiwara, Vice Minister
of the Household, will retire. The
making public of the official communi-
cations was followed by visit of Prince
Runi to the Emperor and the Empress.
The newspapers charge an intrigue
to annul the betrothal of the Crown
PRINCE and Princess Nagako while
Hlrohito is abroad was launched by
baron Nakamura, and that he is sup
ported by Field Marshal Yamagata, one
OF the Elder Statesmen. 1t appears
that several distinguished parliament
arlans recently wrote Yamagata, ac-
cusing him of interference in the love
affair, and that they subsequently sent
circulars to all the imperial princes,
According to the Nichi Nichi, Field
Marshal Yamagata has decided to re-
tire from the presidency of the Privy
Council and to give up his generalship
as result of the incident, holding
himself responsible for the grave
affair"
May Make Him Regent
Not having been permitted freely to
discuss the situation, the newspapers
appealed to the Home Department. de-
mandlng liberty of expression, declar-
ing this was necessary in order to allay
the anxieties of the subjects of the EN-
peror. To-day's edition of the Asahi
and yesterdays edition of the Yomi-
Url were suppressed.
In the meantime six representa- tives
Of the popularity known six Men
League" continue their opposition to
the departure of the Grown Prince. In
an endeavor to gain their ends they
have memorialized Premier Hara and
Field Marshal Yamagata, with the in
tention of having Crown Prince Hir-
ohito designated regent.
The imperial ordinances authorize
the imperial family and the Privy
Council to name the Crown Prince re-
gent in case the Emperor is incapaci-
tated and the Crown Prince has at
tanned his maj jority Hirohito now is
Of age, being twenty years old
1t appears that the present situation
has been in the making since last
March, when Baron Hatano. a popular
national figure, resigned as Minister
of the Household, allegedly because of
dissatisfaction over interference by
the Elder Statesmen.
In December the tutor of the Grown
Prince suddenly retired from his posi-
tion, and afterward Admirals Yama-
motto and Osaka, both Satsuma clans
men, secretly launched movement
which resulted in the bringing to the
surface of the present Intrigue"
Political Crisis Feared
The Hochi Shimbun asserts to-day
that the Marquis Masayoshi Matsukata,
lord keeper of the privy seal, who is
held responsible in court circles for
the situation which has arisen, is the
object Of severe attacks by many inhu-
Continued Or page four)
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