THE EMPEROR DEAD.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 28 December 1926, Page 6

THE EMPEROR DEAD.

JAPAN LOSES A GREAT MONARCH. (Per Press Association —Copyright. (Official.) TOKYO, December 24. The Emperor is dead. Prince Hirohito, aged 27<yeaiB, succeeds his father - Yoshito as Emperor. In order to observe the law which provides that the throne cannot be vacant, the ceremony of the transfer of the three sacred treasures, of which the Emperor is custodian, occurred automatically immediately after the physicians’ filial announcement, first to the Regent Empress and family, gathered at the Palace, and thereafter to Alakino (Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal) and Privy Counsellors and Ministers of State, whose presence at the ceremony oi, the transfer of the treasures is necessitated by Imperial law. The fatal termination of the illness has been so long anticipated, that all minor details were pre-arranged for the removal of the roya* body along tlie three miles of winding shore road through a succession of fishing villages .to the station at Idzushi, whence it will be entrained thirty-eight miles to Tokyo station fronting the Imperia] palace grounds.

Within a reasonable time now, the Emperor may command the attendance of the Imperial counsellors, governmental dignitaries and officials, probably at the Imperial Palace, where, with all ancient ceremony, the Emperor and Empress will ascend the ancestral throne, and his majesty will announce he will strive to glorify the virtues and follow the example of his illustrious ancestors. After that the Prune Alinister will pledge the loyaliy of the subjects to Emperor Hirohito ; nd the Empire. LONDON, December 25. King George has sent a message to. Tokyo conveying sympathy with the Japanese Royal family. .

( lhe King has commanded Court mourning to be worn for three weeks. Prince Chichibu, who is on the high fens, was informed of the news lv wireless.