Mikado Is Better And Japan Rejoices.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 21, 1912:
Intensity of Popular Feeling Shown by Shinto Priest's Ascent of Fuji to Pray at Dawn.
DAY OF SUSPENSE IN JAPAN
Six Hours of Undisturbed Sleep Reduces Patient's Temperature and Gives Hope to Physicians.
    TOKIO, Monday, July 22.— More favorable reports concerning the stricken Emperor came from the palace this morning.
    The Secretary of the imperial household announced at 8 o'clock that the condition of his Majesty was considerably improved and that the attending Court physicians were more hopeful. The Emperor fell asleep at midnight and had nearly six hours of undisturbed rest. At 6 o'clock this morning his temperature was 100 1/2 degrees Fahrenheit, which was a drop of 3 1/2 degrees within a few hours.
    Earlier reports gave the pulse as 82 and respiration 34, and, although the heart showed weakness, the symptoms were not thought alarming.
    The official bulletin issued at 11:50
o'clock this morning reads:

    Midnight, temperature 98.69; 2 A.M., 100.5; 8 A. M., 102.3; pulse, 80 to 100; irregular, but stronger than yesterday. His Majesty took some nourishment, and general conditions are improved.

    Throughout the country, even in the remotest villages, Buddhists, Shintos, and Christians of every sect engaged in services yesterday for the Emperor's recovery.
    Several of these expressions illustrate the depth of national feeling. A Shinto priest last night ascended Fuji, the loftiest mountain of Japan, and at dawn prayed from the summit. An old woman, following the custom in the provinces, sequestered herself in the depths of the forest, communing with the spirits and begging salvation for the Emperor.
    Koreans throughout the country are showing concern in the illness of Musuhito, and the young Korean Prince, who has been residing in Japan, has returned from a projected ascent of Fuji. He visited the palace yesterday and expressed his deep sorrow to the Empress. A dispatch from Seoul says that the former Emperor intends to visit Japan.
    The imperial grandsons have been recalled from the Summer residence and will arrive in Tokio to-day.
    Yesterday was a day of suspense in the Imperial palace, and a bulletin issued at 9:10 o'clock last evening seemed to exclude all hope of Mutsuhito's recovery. The four physicians in consultation on his case announced that his Majesty's symptoms were discouraging. The Emperor had been unable to sleep and was delirious.
    All day long members of the Cabinet and high Government officials were gathered in the outer rooms of the palace, awaiting word from the sick chamber, while a continual stream of callers registered their names, in token of sympathy and condolence.
    Every precaution has been taken against the disturbing effect of the announcement of the Emperor's death. The most unruly soldiers have been confined to barracks, and the newspapers have been warned not to publish sensational
rumors.
    Regulations prohibiting unnecessary
noises and all forms of entertainments have been unnecessary, for, although the Japanese are an undemonstrative people, enduring personal and private troubles with stoicism, in the present situation the greatest depression and anxiety are everywhere apparent.
    Owing to the absence of precedent under the constitutional regime, proceedings in the event of the death of the Emperor cannot be outlined, but there is reason to believe that every preparation has been carefully made.
    Crown Prince Yoshihito, who is convalescing from chickenpox, is so nearly recovered that he may be permitted to visit the Emperor's bedside to-day. Significant of the general belief that the Emperor could not recover was the fact that most of the callers at the imperial palace yesterday afterward paid their respects at the residence of the Crown Prince.