The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1912. THE MIKADO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 62, 31 July 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1912. THE MIKADO.

Tlie death of the Mikado removes',from the field of national politics a singularly striking figure, though one who has not very strongly in the public eye through his personality. The average man at the street corner, indeed, has l)ased his idea of the ruler of Japan upon the jeu d'es'prit of Gilbert and Sullivan. But nothing could be, further from the truth than this delightful and innocent travesty. The Mikado, Mutsu Hito, has counted for a great deal in the amity of nations, and Britain especially lias reason to be thankful for the result of diplomatic relations with the -little brown mem of the East, which culminated in the alliance of 1905, which sought successfully to consolidate and maintain the general peace of Eastern Asia and India. It is well known that although, as a matter of national etiquette, the Mikado himself did not loom largely in the negotiations preceding the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, that he was actually the "god in the car.'' and that his Ministers really reflected his own opinions and aspirations nil the Treaty as completed. The' Mikado was by no means a young man. for he was. born in IS.">3. and ascended the throne fifteen . years later. The responsibilities thrust upon him at this early age have been singularly well shouldered, for his reign has been marked by great reforms, one of the most important of which was the abolition of the feudal system in 1871. Under the rule of Mutsu Hito, Japan has entered upon an unprecedented era of prosperity. Civilisation has made rapid proLirc--. anil the introduction of Western arts and ideas has secured for Japan a Foremost place among the .Asiatic, nations. The Mikado has given the Japanese 'a Parliamentary constitution, based on European principles, and it was largely owine to his vigorous, though somewhat diffident personality, that Japan ha- now bc.-omi' accepted as the type of Ka>!ern civilisation. The personal influence of a ruler has a greater elTeer

the more impressionistic Kastern raven than it lias in the Western world, mul the profound sorrow Unit, lias stirred Hip Japanese nation to a singularly uncharacteristic display of public emotion at the death o[ their Emperor is a more lasting tribute to hi.; qualities as a ruler and (lie "father of his people" than an'v graven testimony in ''dull, cold uuirb!"." We !vvi> grown to regard Japan ;•.•-; ti:

Eastern nation that "counts" in international policy, and this is largely due to the enterprise and shrewdness of n monarch who was quick to adapt the best of modern art and science to the requirements of an essentially conservative race.