Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1921-11-21
ILLNESS OF
The EMPEROR
CAUSES DOUBT
Deep Current of Specula-
ton in Japan Of Possible
ties to Follow Accession
of Crown Prince.
(By The United Press)

Tokyo.-(By Mail. )-Throughout
Japan the people are praying for
the recovery of the Emperor.
In government circles there is a
deep current of speculation, al
though little expressed, OF the pos
sibilities to follow the regency or
the accession to the throne OF the
present crown prince.
There is wonderment, and among
the conservative powers, some ap-
prehension regarding the effect up
on Japan's policies at the most cru
cial point of her history of the
Grown Princes recent visit abroad
and the personal contact with Euro
pean civilization.
Both conservatives and liberals
realize that Japap's most vital prob
lens, foreign and domestic, are
coming to, crux concurrendly with
the gravest physical condition of
the Emperor. They are wondering.
fearing, hoping, as the case may be,
of the import to Japan at such
period Of a new emperor, or a re-
gent, who knows at first hand what
none of his 122 Imperial ancestors
ever knew--the ways Of the world
across the seas.
Besides the Washington confer
ence, with its tremendous possibili-
ties to Japan, these grave domestic
problems are becoming increasingly
acute:
L. The labor question, with
strikes increasing and the laboring
classes demonstrating almost daily a
growing spirit OF self-expression and
mass consciousness
2. The increasing living cost bur-
den of the people, accentuated by
a steadily soaring price of rice, and
the fear of general race riots" this
winter-a form of popular protest
that heretofore has been serious
when the staple food mounted be-
yond the reach of the masses.
These must be supplemented with
variety of social and economic
adjustments. of uncertain result, a
part of the throes of Japan's swift
transformation into an industrial
nation.
Another problem, less acute and
Immediate, but smoulderinf1, is the
feeling against high taxes for naval
and military purposes and the big
observation-disclosures half-of the ma
tional revenues used therefor
No one knows what is happening
behind the moated, triple-walled
enclosures of the great Imperial
palace, where the i'll Emperor,
Yoshihito, remains in complete Sc
clusion. Prince Yamagata prob
ably knows more than any one man.
But what he doesn't know is
whether Yamagata, strongest of the
conservatives, will continue his great
influence or whether a liberal or
progressive force will supersede him.
1dmo6otd, WHY OlQ Jul why VII
lie. is one of the survivors of the
first 'Genro," or "elder statesmen"
the group that designed and direct
ed the destinies of the new Japan
born half. a century ago. He gave
Japan universal military service and
made it's modern army. He has been
the leader of the militarists, the
staunchest of the conservatives, one
of the most vital forces in the gov
eminent. Many have called him the
real ruler of Japan.
Before long Yamagata may win
or lose his last big fight. Polite
ally, perhaps otherwise, Japan is at
the turning point Of her destiny
The progressive and conservative
forces are preparing to maneuver for
place. and throughout japan the
people are praying for the recovery
of the Emperor.