SYMBOL OF UNITY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 459, 17 February 1933, Page 2

SYMBOL OF UNITY

EMPEROR OF JAPAN STILL SURROUNDED BY CLOUDS AND MYTHS. ' '• '■ KNOWS LITTLE OF POLICY. Carlyle's attic philosoph'er, who, commentnig oii "this f ermenting vat of a world, said, "I, my brother, stand above it all; I am alone witb the stars," has his living counterpart in the Emperor' of ^ap'an, writes; iPKilip Kinsley in the Sunday Sun. Japan is in a ferment about" Manchuria, about the finahcial and diplomatic plight in which the militarists have led the nation, about the iridusfrial iiroblem, farmers* troublfes, crime and graft and political changes, but, above it all, hid.den in the mystery of the imperial palace in the heart' of • Tokio, beyong all political parties and strife and criticism," sits' Hirohiro symbol of Japanese greatness and unity, direct descendant of the first god king of Japan, Jimmu. Five hundred years before Ohrist, when Prince Siddartha foiind enlightenment under the bodha tree in India and Confucius was waiidering in exile from the state of Lu wifh' his oxdart and disciples, Jimmu conquered Japan from the aborigines and set up a state in which he established his people in'peace and happiness. From the Trojan war to the League of Nations runs this Japanese bridge and the responsibility of the emperor is not to anyone on this earth, but to those ancestors who live for him as truly as he lives. Semi-Divine. Time has wrought some changes in the attitude of the people toward •him, but the clouds of a semi-diviriity still trail him. Yet Hirhito is said to be a very human young man, keen and alive tb the changing world, interested in science and politics, ' aware of his great responsibilities. Lecturers approach him and read to him every day on current problems. The story is told that one day the lecturer On foreign relations explained to the emperor in a carefully prepared paper the action of the iGovernment in recognising the new state of Manchukuo, putting it entireiy on the ground of the self-determination of the people of Manchuria. "And supposing," the emperor is said. to have asked, "the people of Kofea asked for independence from Japan?" This was a question which could only be answered by Silence. Mjanchurian Blame? It is probable that the Manchurian adventure was launched entireiy without the knowledge of the emperor, as the military struggle there last Septeinber began without the knowledge of the Prime Minister in Tokio. The military had taken things into their own hands. If this turns out ,a failure this will be the disgrace. If a diplomat at Geneva gets Japan into world disgrace and isolation, his will be the burden. The people never blame the emperor, never talk of a new form of Government without him. Radicals of right and left burrow into the social body, but they makeho headway with such propaganda and it is not talked. Recently the emperor as head of tne army watched the ihanoeuvres of 40,000 soldiers on the plain of Dsaka, *and listened to lectures on the' history of old battles and the changing tactics of to-day. He rode on a white horse over the battlefields of Jimmu after he had performed ablutions at a sanctuary and had offered to the spirit of this imperial ancestor the branches of a sacred tree prepared by couft ritualists. The report of his arrival in Osaka is given in a leading Japanese Osaka paper as follows. — "The roaring traffic of Osaka died dowh to a distant murmur and the busy throngs of the industrial metropolis halted in silent reverence as his majesty the emperor entered this city at 4.25 this afternoon. Before a welcoming throng of dignitaries his majesty stepped from the imperial train at Osaka station, honouring the city with his august presence for the first time since 1929. "Scarcely had the imperial special halte'd before the door of the coach bearing th'e imperial crest was flung open and in another moment his majesty, "with the ribbon of the Grand Order of the Chrysanthemum, stfbde out of the vestibule. The sovereign, without showing the slightest sign of fatigue, responded to the greetings of the imperial princes, Gov. Agata of Osaka prefecture, and Mayor Seiki of Osaka. "His majesty passed through' the reception hall followed by Chamber Hisam^ atsu bearing thb' imperda.1 sword, and Chamberlain Koide bearing the imperial seal. The sovereign with serene steps took his place within the imperial limousine. The crimson car slowly started on its journey to Osaka castle (specially purified for the occasion) escorted by 70 motor cars." ' Thousands of soldiers and special police guard,ed the streets of Osaka during his visit and special "re'minders" of ' beh'aviour were i'ssued to fbreigners. Traffic on the streets of the imperial procession was stopped three hours in advance. Foreigners were reminded they must wear "clean and proper dress," that packages, Sticks or cameras were not allowed, and they must not speak or whisper while the procession was passing. The "reminders" included: — "Particular care should be taken neither to be disrespectful or imprudent; as, for example, pointing to the imp'erial procession or by smoking." "Looking down on 'the imperial procession from high places, such as roofs, uppef storeys and trees, is prohibited. "Windows of upper storeys facing the imperial way should be closed." Thus the emperor passes, as a vague ,and awesome figure.