We much regret to record the death of the Emperor
of Japan on Christmas Day. For many days large crowds had been praying in time streets for the Emperor's recovery. It is a curious indication of the persistence of tradition in Japan that the police have been collecting as many privately-owned firearms as possible, not because they feared rioting but because they wanted to prevent the practice of ritual suicide. The Emperor, who was born in .1879, had suffered from consumption for many years, and five years ago retired entirely from public life. The Crown Prince was then appointed Regent. The late Emperor's reign could not in the circumstances be distinguished by the personal achieve- ment which stands to the credit of his predecessor in guiding his country through an era of great expansion; but during the past few years much has happened in Japan to establish democratic forms and to extend and intensify education.
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