THE MIKADO.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1499, 23 July 1912, Page 7

THE MIKADO.

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT,

By TcleEraph-Prcss Association-Copyricht (Eec. July 23, 0.20 n'.m.) Tokio, July 22. The Mikado's illness has created a profound sensation. Tlie theatres have been closed and .-ill trailie around the palace has been slopped. A bulletin at midnight Tcpcrlcd a slight improvement in his Majesty's condition. (Rec. July 23, 0/20 a.m.) Sydney, July 22. The Japanese Consulate has received a cable message stating that the Mikado luul suffered from diabetes mellitus since 190!, and on July M enteric fever supervened, and his Majesty lapsed into a semi-coma-tose state the following day. On July 19 he became delirious and high fever set in.

PRINCE KATSI'R-A RETURNING HOME. (Kec. July 23, 0.20 a.m.) St. Petersburg, July 22. In consequence of the Mikado's condition. Prince Katsura's mission is returning to Japan forthwith. MIKADO-WORSHIP. Some idea of the veneration with which tho person of the Mikado is regarded by the Japanese may bo gained from the following incident reported in a Tokio telegram of February 25 last:— Dr. Yamakawa, president of the Kyushu University, has resigned his office for a curious reason. . Last November, when the Emperor attended the grand manoc•uvres the Imperial train during shunting operations jumped tho points, with tho result that its august passenger was detained for forty minutes at the Moji Station. Subsequently the stationmaster, as a sign of penitence for what was after all not his fault, committed suicide by placing himself in front of the express. ' His Majesty was much moved on hearing of tho tragic sequel, and sent a sum of money to defray tho funeral expenses. It has now been proposed to erect a .statue to the deceased railway official, so that his sacrifice may be remembered by posterity. Dr. Yamakawa strongly disapproved of such a course, and wrote to the newspapers against the proposal. Ho at tho same time drew attention to the common incident of school teachers being killed or .-."verol.v burnt in their attempts to rescuo the Imperial portrait from the {Tamos when their schools happen' to catch fire. The press declared that the doctor's letter was most indiscreet, and demanded his removal, in reply to which he' is understood to have tendered his resignation. The whole question of the ethics of harikari is, therefore, likely to'be again discussed. The doctor claims that not even (lie Imperial portrait is worth a man's life.