SECRET OF AN ALLIANCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 229, 15 February 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

SECRET OF AN ALLIANCE

THE LATE MIKADO AND BRITAIN.

The anecdotes of the late Mikado published in the Japanese Press include one bearing on the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

Prince I to, it appears, favored an alliance with Russia, and he visited St. Petersburg to negotiate with Count Witte for such a purpose. Such an alliance was auout to be concluded, in spite of the protests of Manquis Komura, Prince Katsura, and Count Hayashi, who was then the Ambassador from Japan to Great Britain, when the first two laid their alternative plan before the Emperor, at the same time putting letters of resignation in their pockets in case the Throne should decide against the policy they had planned. They reported to his Majesty the course of the negotiations with London, and Prince Tto's objections, producing a sheaf of telegrams which the irate Elder Statesman had sent them. Without the slightest hesitation his Majesty sanctioned the negotiations with Great Britain. and ordered a telegram to be sent and do his best for the conclusion of the never able to say anything distinctly Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

It is recounted that Prince Ito and the present Premier, Marquis Siaonji,

were the only statesmen who were not affected with nerves when talking to the late Emperor, whilst the Marquis Matsugata was so very nervous that he was neevr able to' say anything distinctly except, "I will have careful investigation made, your Majesty."

THE EMPEROR'S FALL. On one occasion the Mikado, after giving the marquis certain instructions, asked him. '"How many children have you in all. marquis? - ' to which came the prompt reply. 'I will have careful investigation made, your Majesty," which caused the monarch intense amusement, for the marquis is blessed with a large number of children.'

At one time wrestling was a favorite pastime at the Court, and his Majesty was able with ease to throw all the Court attendants and officials. One official. however, Yaniaoka Tetsutaro, was very anxious to throw the Emperor, because he was afraid that the latter might become too proud of bis prowess in this and other sports, t Finally the Emperor challenged Yamaoka. and the latter threw the Sovereign with great force. The monarch, so the story goes, was not too pleased at the defeat, but was too good a sportsman to say anything. Later Yamaoka resigned bis position at Court on the plea that, although he had defeated the Emperor for the good of the Throne and the country, in doing so he had subjected his Sovereign to a.'heinous indignity.

The monarch absolutely refused to accept the resignation, saying, "You have done well to show that the ring is no respeeter of persons, and I appreciate your loyal spirit in beating me." Yamaoka was in high favor at Court thereafter. The Tokia Gazette of a recent date announced the bestowal of the posthumous title "Emperor of Meiji" on the late Emperor Mutsu Hito. The ceremony of conferring the title on the deceased Sovereign and of informing the ancestral spirits of the fact took place at the palace in the presence of the Emperor and Empress, the Dowager Empress, and other members of the Imperial family, and the high Court dignitaries.