ater is of no moment. Moreover
His Majesty has always been modest, and does everything with
circumspection. We should all appreciate his attitude.

So far as our external relations are concerned, a thorough
understanding must be come to with the foreign nations, so that
recognition of the new regime may not be delayed and diplomatic
intercourse interrupted. Japan, has, in conjunction with the Entente
Powers, tendered advice to postpone the change of the Republic into
an empire. As a divergence of opinion exists between Japan and the
Entente Powers, the advice is of no great effect. Besides, the
Elders and the Military Party in Japan are all opposed to the action
taken by their Government. Only the press in Tokio has spread all
sorts of threatening rumours. This is obviously the upshot of
ingenious plots on the part of irresponsible persons. If we postpone
the change we shall be subject to foreign interference, and the
country will consequently cease to exist as an independent state. On
the other hand, if we proclaim the enthronement forthwith, we shall
then be flatly rejecting the advice,--an act which, we apprehend,
will not be tolerated by Japan. As a result, she will place
obstacles in the way of recognition of the new order of things.

Since a monarchy has been decided to be the future form of the
state, and His Majesty has consented to accept the Throne, the
change may be said to be an accomplished fact. There is no question
about it. All persons of whatever walk of life can henceforth
continue their pursuits without anxiety. In the meantime we will
proceed slowly and surely with the enthronement, as it involves many
ceremonies and diplomatic etiquette. In this way both our domestic
and our foreign policies will remain unchanged.

We hope you will comprehend our ideas and treat them as strictly
confidential.

(Signed) Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Land and Naval
Force.

After this one last step remained to be taken--it was necessary to burn
all the incriminating evidence. On the 21st December, the last circular
telegram in connection with this extraordinary business was dispatched
from Peking, a delightful naivete being displayed regarding the
possibility of certain letters and telegrams having transgressed the
bounds of the law. All such delinquencies are to be mercifully wiped