THE MIKADO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 59, 27 July 1912, Page 5

THE MIKADO.

THE END IN SIGHT. By Cable—Prtw Aswciatioo—Copyjight. Tokio, July 25. The Emperor is more exhausted, and his pulse is very irregular. Owing to the insistence of the Government Prince Katsura, the Premier, will prolong his ■tay in Europe. AN OMINOUS SILENCE. Received 20, 10.55 pjn. Tokio, July 26. The Mikado has had a complete relapse, and the absence of an evening bulletin is considered ominous. MIKADO-WORSHIP.

Some idea of the veneration with which the person of the Mikado is regarded by the Japanese may be gained from the following incident reported in a Tokio telegram of February 25 last. Dr. Yamakawa. president of the Kyu»hu University, has resigned his office for a curious reason. Last November, when the Emperor attended the grand manoeuvres the Imperial train during •hunting operations jumped the points, with the 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 not all his fault, committed •uicide by placing himself in front of the express.

His Majesty was much moved on hearing of the tragic sequel, and sent a sum of money to defray the funeral expenses. It has now been proposed to erect a statue to the deceased railway official, ■o that his sacrifice may be remembered by posterity. Dr. Yamakawa strongly disapproved of ■uch a course, and wrote to the newspapers against the proposal. He at the same time drew attention to the common incident of school teachers being killed or severely burnt in their attempts to rescue the Imperial portrait from the flames when their schools happen to catch fire. The press declared that the toetor'* letter was most indiscreet, and 4emanded 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 a:rain discussed. The doctor claims that not even the Imperial portrait is worth a man's life.