And God and Man on Earth. 



175 



fercnce in it by the Diet should be allowed. Deckira- 

 tions of war. conclusions of peace, and of treaties with 

 foreign countries are the exclusive rights of the 

 Sovereign, concerning which no consent of the Diet 

 is required. For, in the first place, it is desirable 

 that. a monarch should manifest the unity of the 

 sovereign power that represents the State in its inter- 

 course with foreign Powers ; and, in the second, in 

 war and treaty matters, promptness in forming plans 

 according to the nature of the crisis is of paramount 

 importance. B>- ' treaties ' is meant treaties of peace 

 and friendship, of commerce and of alliance. These 

 sovereign powers are operati\e in every direction, 

 unless restricted by the express provisions of the Con- 

 stitution, just as the light of the sun shines everywhere 

 unless it is shut out by a screen. So these sovereign 

 powers do not depend for their existence upon the 

 enumeration of them in successive clauses. In the 

 Constitution is given a general outline of the sovereign 

 powers ; and. as to the particulars touching them, 

 only the essential points are stated, in order to give 

 a general idea of what they are. Not even the most 

 arrogant monarch, the most exigent Tsar, could ask 

 for greater powers than are possessed by the Emperor 

 of Japan. By such a Constitution the position of the 

 monarch is more defined and infinitel\- belter founded, 

 since the people, secure in their liberties, give lo\e 

 where they would only give fear." 



The constitution is replete with proof of the domi- 

 nance of the national feeling, both in the minds of 

 the Emperor and of his people. To the Japanese, 

 nationalism has no narrow, no selfish meaning ; it is 

 inherent. It is not antagonistic to any other nation ; 

 it is without an)- prejudices ; and Japan's rapid strides 

 are due to its virtues as a nation. 



Every monarch, every statesman should study the 

 Imperial rescripts of the late Emperor for illuminating 

 inspiration, for concise directness, and for information 

 in the art of go\ernance. When there was an urgent 

 need for naval expansion and the Treasury was 

 depleted, the Emperor cut the Gordian knot in his 

 special message to the nation. He said : — " With 

 regard to matters of national defence a single day's 

 neglect may involve a century's regret. \\'c shall 

 economise the expenses of the household, and shall 

 contribute during the space of six \cars a sum of 

 300,000 yen annually. We direct Our military and ci\il 

 ofVicials, except in cases where special circumstances 

 interfere, to contribute one-tenth ol their salaries 

 during the same period, which sums shall be devoterl 

 lo supplement the bmd for building men-of-war." 



Not only were the>e words, but deeds, the results of 

 which were shown lo the world at Tsushima, and have 

 rai.sed the Japanese navy to the domination of the 

 Eiustcrn Se.is. Can we imagine a similar case here ? 

 .\nd yet to ihis country the navy means more than it 

 ever did to Japan. Eor us it is a vital necessity ; 

 without it all things are as naught I 



The Emperor's speec h on education might >er\T as 



a model in many countries, and show a very rea 

 recognition of the fact that in education is to be found 

 the real basis of a nation : — '" The goodness of Our 

 subjects, displayed generation after generation in 

 loyalty and piety, and in harmonious co-operation, 

 contributes to the lasting character of Our country. 

 These form the fundamental principles of education 

 for Our subjects. Be loyal to your relations, as hus- 

 bands and wives, and faithful to your friends ; let 

 your conduct be courteous and frugal, and love others 



The New Emperor of Japan. 

 Whose icign bears Ihe name Taislto, or "Great Resolutions." 



as yourselves ; attend to your studies and practise 

 )our respective callings ; cultivate your intellectual 

 faculties and train your moral feelings ; foster the 

 public weal and promote the interests of society ; ever 

 render strict obedience to the Constitution and to all 

 the laws of Our Empire ; di.splay your public- spirit and 

 your courage, and thereby give Us your support in 

 promoting and maintaining the honour and the pros- 

 perity of Our Em|)ire, which is coeval with the heavens 

 and the earth. Such conduct on vour part will not onlv 

 be what is fitting in Our good and loyal subjects, but 



