* * So long as lie was well enough to
exert any influence the late Emperor was alway's on the side of prudence and of loyalty to international obligations. As a young man lie showed much intellectual promise. He was a linguist and a student. He was also renowned for his kindliness and his generous private benefactions. He is succeeded by his eldest son, Prince Hirohito, the Prince Regent, who was born on April 29th, 1901. The new Emperor made a foreign tour such as had never been undertaken before by a Japanese Emperor, and in the course of it he spent some time in England. It used to he the rule for the Emperors to keep to their own country as rigidly as the Popes keep to the Vatican. Nor was that the only break with tradition. Prince Hirohito chose his wife outside the five families which used to be regarded as alone having the right to Imperial alliances. The five families struggled to maintain their privilege, but popular opinion was against them and Carried the day.
Previous page
