New Britain Herald Newspaper, November 10, 1915, Page 10

PEROR OF JAPAN IS CONSECRATED AT KIOTO d Ruler of N ppon Confirmed By £ imple But Impres- sive Ceremony in Ancient Capital — American Ambassador Guthrie Present. pkio, Nov. 10.—Yoshihito was irmed or consecrated Emperor of A in Kioto, the ancient capital y, and in every city, town and ge throughout =~ the empir resoever, indeed, a Japanese was e found, the event was celebrated lome fitting manner. The Japan- call the consecration “Go Tairei,” lhe Great ceremony, implying the test “of all national ceremonies. pniithey are speaking English they r to it as the coronation, oW sSovereign neither sub- =‘ tll‘é!&fi\s nor took a hereditary samurai were there This coronation, ’therefure, is the bridge between the ]old and new Japan-—it exodus for t!'c impenetr Fof the past in the modernism and { commencemc it of democracy of the | present and iuture. The fir:t great step in the 1:0dern political develop= ment of Japs 1 was taken by iSmperor Mutsuhito in 1889 when h. granted constitution to his subjects ‘ Every pos ole a rongen been madc f impress upon ]ot the y the signific ceremon he part play t has the viinds he i he bBétween Heaven “Fitmself Supreme. &' ¢raperor himself is su- ere the coronation takes of announcing to the spirits mperial ancestors that he has y, gpooegded to the emperor- , g, has come into possession rq. Divine Treasures, and jat he,has; actually ascended the ra’l, or imperial throne, d .g-q.]n the throne he announces to 5, subjects that he has been conse- dsas emperor, Jparticularly impressive corona- pn .celebration was that at the port & ‘Were the warships of the first \#econd squadrons which had carrying cut special naval man- & joined with other units and fed a lons line of war craft ex- several mues from the port the mouth'of Osaka Bay. it 130 ghips wére there and all decorated for the occasion. At our of three, precisely, the thun- us roar of great and small guns heard. Bach of the 130 ships o a salute of twenty-one guns. Ko Break tn Sovereignty. :here 18 no break in the sovereign- iover the Japanese empire. When or Mutsuhito passed away his Yoshihito—on July 30, 1913— jately acceded to the throne duly acquired the Sacred Treas- ~Simultaneously the new ruler, heo was today consecrated, received “ministers of state and members £ the court and proclaimed his reign s that of “Taisho” ore“Era of Great tuunau ” Mourning for the Dowager Haruko caused a mement of the coronation cere- onles, and today they were conduct- With the presence of the Empress ko, consort of the emperor, who /#oon expecting to present another to the throne. /It occurs to me,” said Premier unt Okuma a few weeks ago to the yrrespondent the Associated feg. “that these ancient ceremonies it Kioto will afford foreigners an op- unity to study the psychology of ‘N" Japanese people.” That after jall, trom the western standpoint, is ¥hat 18 making the coronation so onderfully attractive. The foreign observer is carried back into the ages, @and he is having set before him a story of national existence, an ex- Planation of an empire's genesis that 1S beautiful. dramatic and appealing, ‘Whether he is to class the tale as my- thological, traditional or historically Proven, Honor for Pcople, He is able to study the origin, cus. toms ana development of the Japan- a8 never before in history, for [ this is the first time since the reign |Of Jimmu Tenno, 2.500 years ago that the people of Japan or representatives of forelgn powers have been per- mitted to participate in the cere- moniés of coronation. Before this, ‘only the court and feudal lords and oo school children of Japan is one of the most impressive features of the entire coronation program, which will last ‘about a month. Special portraits of the emperor and empress were distrib- uted and commemorative exercises were held in every school throughout the empire; speeches were made Te- lating the importance of the corona- tion; at every school two trees were planted in commemoration of tae oc- casion and a flag procession of child- ren was held in every district. At the precise moment when the emperor mounted the throne to announce his accession to the people, salutes are fired by the army and navy—and in whatever part of the world soldiers and ships may be located. Through- out the country cannon boomed, whistles were ‘blown, flags were flung to the breeze, aerial bombs fired, the national hymn sung and cries of “banzai” swelled upward. Religion Prominent. Religion occupied a prominent place. American missionaries were leaders in the movement to hold Christian services and in every Christ- ian church in the empire native or foreign prayers were said for the longevity and happy reign of Emper- or Yoshihito. The Christian Japanese of the United States commemorated the coronation by presenting a beau- tiful Bible to the emperor. The un- derlying idea of the decoration of the book was the lasting friendship be- tween Japan and the United States Services were also held in every Shinto and Buddhist temple, The Salvation Army observed the coronation by expending a 3,000 ven gift from the emperor in establishing new colonization bureaus folowing the example of the army in the United States. The army issued a manifesto saying., “We opened two ‘slum posts’ in Tokio with the money granted by their ma- jesties, and have also decided to start an ex-prisoners’ home in Osaka. In what better way could we commemor- ate the great national event of tae coronation? Commemoration of the coronation is found in many other directions. The government issued a speclal series of postage stamps and picture postal cards and presented special coronation medals to all participating in the various ceremonies. The medal is of silver. On the front is engraved a golden chrysanthemum with a branch of the citron and sacred cherry tree on either side. On the back are inscribed twelve Chinese characters meaning “Coronation Commemorative Medal", and the date , “Eleventh Month of Fourth Year of Taisho.” Contribute For Gits- Officials and clerks in the service of the government contributed one and a half per cent. of their salary to present suitable gifts to the emperor and empress- The army gave a mini- ature field piece and the navy a mini- ature ship. Congratulatory lanterns were hung at every house in the empire. Thou- sands of betrothed have hastened their | 8enerally the auspicious year of coronation and be sanctified by prosperity, health and Joy. Messenger Announces. Prior to the commencement of to- day’s ceremony an imperial messenger | was dispatched here from the imper- ial headquarters in Kioto to announce the celebration of 'the coronation cer- emony before the Korei-den, a shrine dedicated to the souls of the imperial ancestors in the prehistoric deity per- iod. The ceremony before the shrines which are located in the imperial pal- ace, was conducted in a solemn man- ner according to Shinto ritual by court officials. Imperial messengers were also dispatched from Kioto on similar missions to the great sirine at Isle and to tho principal Shinto shrines throughout the country, where similar geremonies were performed this morn- ing. 'The imperial messengers to the prefect:ral shrines (there is a state shrine in each province) were repre- sented by prefectural governors. The day was signalized by informal meetings and reunions given by pub- lo or private corporations in honor of the occasion. Okuma Plays Teading Role, Politis of an unusual type failed to prevnt Japan's “grand ald man™ Pr Count Shigenobu Okuma, from 1 inving a leading role this af- ternoon at the second great corona- ton ceremony, Incensed at Okuma’s retention in power, despite revelations of corrup- tion durirg the cabinet crisis of last sumn 'r. nmembers of the parliamen- tary « pp sition, launched a cam- paign la od upon a curious super- stitious s: ntiment. They argued that in conduc.ng the ceremony of the coronation of the emperor the prin- ciple of purity should prevail throughout. Any form of imperfec- tion must be scrupulously avoided, and any physical disability or de- formity was a form of imperfection. Count Okuma was therefore disqual- ified for conducting the ceremony of coronation, because of the fact that when a political fanatic threw a bomb at him twenty-seven years ago he suffered the loss of one of his legs by amputation. Co-related Objection. A co-related objection inspired by ultra-conservatives among the Shin- to ritualists who feared the endan- gering of the sanctity of the imper- jal throne was based on the idea that the alleged political corruption which forced the retirement of Vis- count Oura in the Okuma ministry was irreconciliable with the prin- ciple guiding the sacred ceremonles of coronation. These objections were received with ridicule by the people, the campaign of the op- position collapsed utterly and Count Okyma representing the now consti- tutionally governed people of Japan participated in this afternoon’s cere- mony as a figure second only in im- portance to the Emperor himself and the members of the imperial family. In the morning Emperor Yoshihito had informed the spirit of his imperial grand ancestress of his formal accession and of his acqui- sition of the Three Sacred Treasures. This afternoon’s ceremony belonged in a special way to the people for it was dedicated to the purpose of announcing to-them the accession of the Mikado. The emperor actually mounted the throne ana read an ad- dress to his subjects who, as during the morning rites, were represented by the members of the Diet, govern- ors of prefectures and the mayors of the cities of Kioto and Tokio. The function was held in the renowned Shishiiden hall where the illustrious monarch, Mutsuhito, became emper- or and which, except for reconstruc- tion in several directions, retained it ncient simplicity and -beauty. Shishiiden, which signifies “purple hall of mystery,” faces south and is made of the sacred hinowi wood with its roof thatched from the bark of the same tree. Scenes of Ceremony. The scene of the ceremony was laid partly within the main hall and partly in the open air courtway up- on which the hall looked down. Halls for the spectators extended on either side of the courtway. As the Japan- ese doors and walls were removed the arrangement gave all partici- pants an opportunity to see the set- ting of the courtway. The stairs leading to the throne and the throne itself. On either side of the stairs lead- ing to the interior of the Shishiiden stood the famed cherry tree and the noble orange trec. These class- ical trees were the starting point of the courtway degoratjons which, BTgw into a splendid pmtme as' the vari- ous officials in their fascinating Rowns of ancient Japan marched in, one hy one, and tcok their alloted stations. To the south of the cherry tree was a tall hanner of scarlet brocade bear- ing the embroidered figure of the sun, while south of the orange tree was a banner of white brocade worked with the figure of the moon. Next to the sun banner was a larger banner with the pattern of the “Good-omened Clouds of Five Colo and an em- broidered figure of the Yaragarasu or the eight headed crow which tradi- tionally is supposed to have guided the first Emperor Jimmu Tenno ig a successful’ expedition against nattve tribesmen. Beside the moon banner stood the famed banner of the Golden Kite, appearing in embroidered relief on the back ground of “Good-omened Clouds.” Emblem Has Romantic History. This emblem has a romantic his- tory. The Emperor Jimmu, after suf- fering a defeat, had lost his way in the wilderness. A furious storm arose, the heavensbecame inky-blackandday was turned to darkness. Suddenly from the void came flying majestically a beautiful golden kite which alighted on the bow of the lost emperor. Aid- ed by the glittering light cast by the wings of the bird, a light so wonder- ful that it dazzled the eyes of the enemy, the Emperor Jimmu was able to turn defeat into brilliant victory. All preparatory arrangements hav- ing been concluded the officials in charge beat the gongs and drums in the courtyarl. The high officials, civil dors and ministers, other dignitaries and their wives who were assembled at the waiting hall were ushered to the high corridor about the hall, the doors of which were all thrown open. Masters of Ceremonies, ‘When these officials and dignitaries had taken their seats there entered the grand master and vice-grand mas- ter of ceremonies, accompanied by Junior masters of ceremonies, all at- tired in ancient court robes with dec- orated swords at their side. They took their posts on the southern corridor. Next came the chief and vice-chief of the coronation committee and the prime minister and the minister of the household. Subsequently there ap- peared the crown prince, princes of the blood and other male members of the imperial family, who stood on the platform in front of the imperial throne. Great Stillness. A great stillness followed as the last beat of gong died away. Then the emperor appeared from the recesses of the palace. He wore a regal vestment of dark orange colored silk. anese describe is at ‘The yellowish red-brown colored August robe.” The hue is supposed to be that presented by the sun when in the morn it has just risen above the horizon. The dress gave an impression of massive- ness and its general form might be described as cubist. This effect was heightened by the huge square-cut long sleeves and the pair of lacquer shallow wooden shoes which just showed under the hem of the kimono. The emperor was followed by two chamberlains who carried the sacred sword and divine jewel and by the lord chamberlain and other officials. The emperor, ascending the north- ern staircase leading to the imperial throne, took his seat provided under the dome. The chamberlains placed the sacred sword and jewel on the tables to the right and left of the im- perial throne within the curtains. Then they handed His Majesty a baton or sceptre made of ichii wodo. This the emperor held upright and rigid against the lower part of his chest, giving an appearance of dignity, which is its object. August Seat of Empress. “Michodai,” or the ‘“August Seat of the Empress,” was provided several paces distant to the east of the em- peror’s throne in the main part of the Shishiiden. It was almost of the same shape and appearance as the imperial seat, though slightly different in the way of construction and decoration. A distinctive difference was that the lower end of each ridge of the octag- onal dome turned upward like a new fern frond. The emperor’s throne was made according to the ancient cus- toms observed in the imperial house, while that of the empress, though in close resemblance to the emperor’s, ‘was arranged to accord with the reg- ulations of the new coronation law. When the Emperor had taken his Place, the lord keeper of the privy seal ascended the imperial dias and took his seat at the north-estern corner, outside the purple curtains, ~vhile the lord chamberlain, chamber- lains, chief aide-de-camp and aides- de-camp took thir posts on the pla form in the rear of the imperial dai all standing. Chamberlains Ascend Platform. At a silent signal two chamberlains ascended the platform from the eas ern and western staircases and rever- ently ralsed the curtain that hung be- for the throne. As the Emperor rose from his seat holding in his right hand the baton previously presented, all present bowed low. Then Count Okuma, the prime minister, wearing ancient Japanese kimono, left his seat in the southern corridor of the hall and descending to the courtyard stood there facing the throne. The Emperor then read an edict announcing his accession to the throne as ruler of the Empire. It was an address to his subjects and at the same time a communication to the pcwers of the world that he had been consecrated as Mikado, or, speaking more truly, that he had consecrated himself as Mikado. To his people Yoshihito announced that following the example of his Imperial ancestors he hoped to pro- mote the welfare and happiness of the nation and that he would strive fer the advancement of the state and at the same time endeavor to strengthen the basis of national prosperity with the support and cooperation of his loval subjects. Read by Court Official. In former times this edict was read out by a court official in the couTt- vard. When the Emperor had concluded, the prime minister ascended the hall from the southern staircase and standing directly in front of the throne made a response to the imper- ial address congratulating His Majes- ty on his coronation and wishing the everlasting prosperity, and perpetuity of the imperial reign. The prime minister then returned where the Ranzai” flag was pianted and raised his hand. National Cry “Banzai” Instantly the thrilling national cry “Banzai” swelled from the throats of ail. The cry was heard outside the ralace and in accordance With pre- vious arrangement was taken up by the multitudes in the streets. The Emeperor followed by his re- tinue left the hall and amid reverent bows from the spectators departed from the palace while the gongs pealed and drums rolled. The time of the acclamation was estimated beforehand to be three o'clock and in pursuance of an un- derstanding Japanese throughout the nation and its dependencies—indeed wherever they might be found throughout the world—precisely at the hour of three, raised the cry of *“Ban- and Mikado—"Son of Heaven “Ruler Eternal.” 5 Tternal.” Empress’ Robe. in which the appeared had she been created by th court is described as, fol- The robe would have present was courturieres and lows: The dress was a scarlet kimono of five thicknesses made of silk demask exquisitely embroidered. It was not actually of five thickness throughout, Empre marriage so that it may occur during ‘und military, peers, foreign ambassa- | but only at the edges of the sleeves The Jap- | The Kind That Gives SATISFACTION Ladies’ $12.50 to $22.50 Mens’ $15.00 to $25.00 Suits Suits TOP-NOTCH IN VALUE. Ladies’ Coats $8.00 to $25.00 Mens’ Overcoats $10.00 to $25.00 ./ Open An Account- 47 Main Street Near Franklin Square Easy Weekly Payments | 47 Mam Street (GATELYsBRENNAN, N“éqii‘l';""“ |ASQUITH SURE OF VICTORY FOR ALLIES Premier and Other Officials at Banquet of London’s Lord Mayor London, Nov. 10.—The annual han- quet of the lord mayor of London was celebrated in the Guildhall last night, Sir Charles Cheers Wakefield having been inaugurated during the course of the day. All the city officials, many members of the government and the Giplomatic representatives attended. The only difference between the function last night and those of other years was to be observed in the cur- tailment of the customary sumptuous menu, one more appropriate to war economy taking its place, and the presence of many .of the guests in military uniform Asquith Family Cheered. Premier Asquith, his wife and daughter were cheered when they en- tered the hall, and cheers also were given for the Serbian ministers and for the representatives of the allies, notably the French and Italian am- bassadors and the Russian Grand Duke Michael. The high commission- er of New Zealand, Hon. Willlam Thomas Mackenzie, brought his son, who was blinded_while serving in the | Dardanelles, and the young soldier got an ovation. The Earl of Derby, di- rector of recruiting, was warmly re- ceived as was also the Belgian minis- ter. When the toast “The King” was given, the assembly rose and sang the National Anthem, which A was never done before. Allegiance Will Strengthen- Sir John A. Simon, secretary for and skirt, the idea being to give the appearance of five separate robes worn one over the other. The kimono was long and trailing but disclosed in front the exceedingly wire “haka- ma” or Japanese divided trousers— were so wide as to resemble a very full skirt and which com- pletely hid the feet. Over the choulders was placed a short outer garment called the ‘‘karaginu” and resembling a manteau. ¢ Hair Worn Down Back. The design woven into the robe was clusters of wisteria blossoms which constituted the crest of the fomily of Prince Kujo of which the Tmpress was a descendant. A strik- ing feature of this regal costume.is thut the hair is worn long down the tack. The imperial princesses wore the sime ancient coronation on ‘robes this afternoon as during the morning ri- tual ceremony, their hair unbound and hanging straight. The robes of the court ladies who represented the Iimpress and who made obeisance at the proper times in her behalf were cf the same general tyle as the Em- press’ robe though different in color and without certain features designed for royalty. The court ladies were g.ouped near the throne and with the princesses and the peeresses of the relm, who were also in ancient flowing kimono formed 'a gorgeous and fas- cinating feature of this historic tableau of old Japan. Music for Coronation. Tokio, Nov. 10.—From thousands of contributions sent to the court in response to an invitation for a coro- ration song, the musical air selected was that composed by Tokuzo Mat- 10to, a teacher in a public school near Kobe, while the words were those written by Kanichi Yukawa, an instructor in Japanese classics in the commercial school at Shimane, which overlooks the Sea of Jopon. The song consists of three which refer respectively to the coro- ration ceremony proper in the Shis-' stanzas hiiden hall at the Kioto palace; the Daljosai, or Grand Harvest Thanks- giving festival to be held on Sunday, Novembar 14, and the grand corona- tion feast to be held at Kioto on November 16, home affairs, responding to “Our Allies,” said that the alliance would become stronger with the duration of the war. Paul Cambon, the French ambas- sador, said: “Although the number of our enemies may have increased since last year, the number of our friends has been augmented. I am happy to see today our Italian colleagues.” Describing the war, he sald: “On the one side are tranquil courage, faith in an ideal of justice and iib- erty and the will to employ only le- gitimate means of defense. On the other, thoughts of lucre, forgetfulness of all the principles of humanity, the destruction of an open town, the taic- ihg of innocent lives, a sort of per- verse joy in the accomplishment of evil and a plan, pursued with child- ish disregard of scruple, to dominate the world by terror.’” He made reference to the tion of Miss Edith Cavell, saying: “‘Quite recently we saw a German military tribunal sentence a noble wo- man to death for the crime of gen- erosity, and a German officer indulge in the pleasure, though not compelled to do so, of executing the sentence ‘himself by murdering this defenseless victim.” The ambassador concluded: “When the hour strikes for the enemy to realize that all his schemes for world domination have broken down. we shall see him a prey to a moral de- vression which will make him fafl suddenly from the height of his dreams.” Balfour on Army and Navy. execu- Mr. Balfour, replying for the army said that the French am- bassador, in a speech of burning, scathing eloquence, had told what were the moral objects for which the allies were fighting. He had to deal with the means and weapons by which the great ends were to be at- tatned. The whole strategy of the allies, caid the first lord, was based upon the allied fleets. Never was there a war in whioh dramatic incidents con- nected with allled fleets were fewer never was there a war in which the operations of the allied fleets were more essential to the land forces. Their fortunes would have been very different from what they were, and what they were going to be, had it not been for the fact that the allies from the first moment took command of the seas. Dealing with the armies, he said no historian in the future might say | there was a moment when the calcu- lations of the central powers were near realization. Their campaign. the first spring, which might have been fatal, was foiled; it was many months since any success could claimed by the Germans on the western front, and it ws two monthe since there had been any advance in Russia. The pause in the war he said meant that tide of the enemy successes had reached its limit, and what they had to look forward to was the ebb, slow or fast—but ebb all the same. and navy, them Success for Teutons. One great success the central pow- ers might said Mr. Balfour, but it was not a military sucess. It was a diplomatic success. Undoubted- ly, the betrayal of Bulgaria of a!l her traditions, under the leadership of the King, was a triumph for Ger- man diplomacy, and had important military consequences—consequence: which he would be the last to min- imize. The rulers of Bulgaria, he declared, were animated by two sim- | ple motives—greed and fear—and | when they were dealing with ruleis of a certain type, greed and fear were great and powerful motives, He belleved that no diplomacy on the part of the allies would hnn‘ been sufficient to outweigh the simp ¢ fact that the rulers of Bulgaria | thought that Austris and Germany | were the winnin powers. The in- | fluences which guided the Bulgarians | he asserted, would prove to be found miscalculations, but the must remember that it was erate miscalculation,” England to Blame, things had weighed them but they misunderstood power, Tesolution and will of claim, pro- allies “delih- with the the Many be | [ to gain an England, in some part, was to blame for this. Mr, Balfour could not say whether the war would be long or short; he could not tell whether it was going | to be decided in the east, the Wesi, lor the South; he would make no forecast of military and naval oper- | ations. = “But,” he said, “when I lookK ‘at the forces to which the allies are op- posed and the cause for which the pllies are fighting—their _strength growing every day; when I observe the strain put upon the enemies growing, in like manner, until its seems as if we are already in sight of the time when the strain will be- come intolerable, then, without ven- turing upon a dogmatic prophesy, T look forward with serene confidence to the noble self-sacrifices of those two great services of which I speui finding their immortal reward” Premier Asquith Remarks. Premier Asquith, after the the mayor, recalled the eighth year®™ in prime usual compliments to A that this was which he had appeared minister at the Guildhall, "“In that long term of years,” h said, ‘“‘thrre have been occasions when we found ourselves rent |y domestic controversy, Those are the things of the past. Today, after fifs teen months of war, we are onlyon® party.” The voice of faction is ab- sent and there are only insignificanit) cross currents: The national 1ifi flows In the deeper channel of united) purpose and concentrated résolve, The government, said the premiefy was anxious to introduce into censorship such modifications as @ perience might suggest, but an im portant incident occurred. Lord Kit: chener, secretary of war, at the re quest of his colleagues had goné Paris and had had fruitful conve sations with the premier and way minister there. Kitchener's Mission. “He has gone thence, 1 short time only,” th premier, “to survey at close gpap ters the situation in the Nenr{i t He takes with him the complete con fidence of his colleagues and coun trymen, He takes with him the au thority of a great soldier and admin istrator, with an unrivaled knowled of the Near East, I have every rea son to ‘know that his mission is re. garded with unqualified approva¥ an. | warm sympathy by our allies.” Baron Reading, lord chief justie replying for the judges, said tha while he was in America, Joseph H, Choate, “that distinguiched and fay mous American,” had declared that) whatever the government might Iy [ he was not neutral, and that out [ the one hundred million people, d | the United States, ninety nilllig were for the allies “heart and soul, Sir Frederick E. Smith, the atto | ney general, who also spoke, s there were legal contentions in 1t American note with which ma British lawyers profoundly disagreg | and to which, he hoped, they wel | capable of making good their obje tions. The bar of England must 4y | #ts part when the reply was madd} as 9 hope foff a continued 'EN TEAMS LEFT, Boston, Nov. 10.—The withdr | of the Verri Corry combination las | night i+ft ten teams to compete the six day bieycie race. They, | start the third day's riding late t with a good lead over the previo! track record. Sullivan and Holbreo have not yet succeeded in recoverh the lap they lost the first day b none of the other teams has been abl advantage Arbeit will hold its re| *ting tomorrow afternoon lock, at the home of Mi en_Dickinson, 67 Roberts street. The Nadel Are the ladies of New Bri interested in a special ternoon for ladies’ clubs parties, at the AETNA BOWL]NG i allies with whom they had to deal. ALLEYS ™=t