The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-15
By Dre1C Pearson

It was under the Emperor Meiji, grandfather of Hiroshito, that the royal family enjoyed its noE important reign Mei into power IS years after the arrival of Commodore Perry and put an end ta alen-hating. By so doing. he consolidated his owS power to handle Japanese foreign relations
 IL happened that some foreigners had failed ta fall on their knees when the Daimio of Bizen passed on the streets of Kobe, and the Daimios troops armed with new American rifles fired on the dis respectful barbarians The foreign governments in- volved demanded apology. not from the Daimo of Bizen but from the Emperor of Japan He prompt ly gave it. and simultaneously gave notice that con- troi of foreqn affairs hencefort was centralized u the person of the Emperor, not in the Diamios.
 Prior to this, the Emperor of Japan had been kicked around more than almost any crowned head of Europe They jailed and assassinated at the pleasure of the Shoguns and war lords. They had to flee for their lives, and of them lay unburied for several weeks while his son took up collection to pay the funeral expenses
 But it remained for the Americans who pried open Japans door, plus smart public relations on the part of group of powerful merchant princes and military men, to make the Emperor of Japan what he IS to- day.
 The latter worked harder on Hirohito than on any man who ever assumed the throne. Born just A years ago. of father who was mentally unbalanced. Hrohito practically succeeded his grandfather, Mei to the throne.
 group of Japan's wisest elder statesmen, in- cuding the president of the War College president of the Imperial University and high admiral from the naval Staf1 sat as SpeClal euu- cation of the prince" Head of the council was Admr. Togo hero of the Russo-Japanese war, who devoted most of his time to training the Emperor to-be.
 Hirohito was allowed to study not only the Jap anese and Chinese classics, but history, biology, physics chemistry economics, political science and French-subjects which few years before were con- sidered revolutionary. Instead of being carried from to by wit hsrips of paper over their mouths lest their breath soil his imperial person, was the case with his grandfather, Hirohito was permitted to mngle with other children of the no- bity at the Peers school Later he was trained by private tutors.
 Old Admr. Togo was chiefly responsible for Hrohito's Spartan schedule He arose at 6 a. m. to go through the rigmarole of paying his respects to the tomb of his ancestors, first praying to the god ancestors before .e great shrine of Ise then lowing in the direction of his grandfathers tomb at Kyoto then toward the tomb of his father.
 Such Oriental customs were mixed with such revolutionary western exercise as horseback riding and tennis, and finally the Council of Education permitted their charge to read newspapers. At first the papers were carefully scrutinzed and clipped though later, when Hrohito became Emperor, he insisted on reading uncensored papers.
 None of this seems very extraordinary to vest erners But, in contrast, Hirohito's grandfather never rode horseback without being assisted to his seat by four attendants He was supposed to make raised to his lips while the court physician felt his pulse through piece of silk.
 Hirohito therefore, was given the most revolu- tionary western education of any Emperor of Japan Whether it made him any more liberal or democratic is a question which will be discussed in a future column.
 .. Copyright. 1s45, by the Bell Syndicate. Inc)