AN EMPEROR’S ANGER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9395, 16 March 1909, Page 2

AN EMPEROR’S ANGER.

The monarch with autoratio powers has his uses. We remember a story written many years ago of a Russian noblemen who, in marrying an English girl, purposely neglected to make the marriage valid according to Russian law, so that when he tired ofher, he could desert her with impunity. One bight they quarrelled, and be told her the truth. She went straight to Czar and told her story, and fhe Ozar immediately summoned the man and a priest, and had the pair validly the spot. A drama of real life, rather similar to this, comes from Japan. Some two years ago / a J apanese Oonnt was sent to England to complete his education. While there he fell in love with a beautiful English widow of good sooial position, and, against the rules of the ancient nobility to which he belonged, married her. The marriage was kept a close secret, and after a few months of married life, the Count rotnrned to Japan aolne. On arriving there he found that his family had been revolving ambitions schemes for his future, and were hopeful of winning for him the band of a Princess of the House of Kitashirakawa, one of the nnmerons branches of the Imperial family.' But before the marriage coaid take place, a divorce must be obtained from his English wife. Proceedings in England were out of the question on account of the publicity, so it was decided to obtain freedom in Japan, where the divorce laws are very simple, and a man can put away his wife without all the world knowing it. The Japanese law treats marriage as an entirely secular matter and the only requirement of the law is registration. Provided that the wife has no objection to the dissolution of marriage, the marriage entry in the police register may be cancelled on the application of the husband. In the case of the Count no legal objection could be raised, as the wife was in London. The marriage was registered and cancelled immediately, and the young man obtained the oouseut to his marriage with the Princess. Suddenly the whole affair was made pubilo by a Tokio newspaper. gThe Emperor heard of the heartless desertion, and having satisfied himself of the truth of the matter, revoked his consent to the betrothal, deprived the Count of his rank, banished him from Court, and requested the resignation of all the officials privy to the business.