Mutsuhito Dies; Son Rules Japan.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 30, 1912:
Stricken Emperor Passes Gently Away and Solemn Accession Ceremonies Follow.
DEAD MONARCH LONG ILL
Unconscious for Hours Before the End — Imperial Family at His Bedside.
DID MUCH FOR HIS PEOPLE
Was the Leader of the Nation in Its Rise from Obscurity to Position of a World Power.
    TOKIO, Tuesday, July 30.— Mutsuhito, for forty-four years Emperor of Japan, died at 12:43 o'clock this morning. Yoshihito reigns in his stead, the accession ceremonies for the Crown Prince following without delay the announcement of the death of his father.
    The Emperor's end was peaceful. He had been unconscious since yesterday morning, when his respiration began to be constantly more feeble, and he passed gently away, in the presence of the members of the imperial family and the assembled Ministers of State.
    The great crowds, which had been gathered for days outside the park surrounding the palace, remained till the end in hushed silence, paying their last homage. It was a marvelous scene when messengers silently mingled with the crowds and scattered and posted announcements of the Emperor's death an hour before. Deep emotion swept the multitude, but there was no evidence of excitement. The only sound was a long-drawn sigh of sorrow as the persons in the throng looked at each other in seemingly hopeless depression.
    The Crown Prince was greatly overcome by his father's death, but the event was formally communicated to the waiting notabilities, and accession ceremonies were begun at the imperial sanctuary at 3 o'clock.
    The shrine was decorated according to the Shinto rites. Prince Iwakura, the chief ritualist, officiated, laying the offering on the sacred altar. He was assisted by a subordinate, who rang a bell while the offerings were being placed. The oath was read in the presence of the Ministers of State, the Councilors, and other dignitaries.

Receiving the Sacred Treasures.
    This ceremony at the sanctuary will be repeated within the next two days.
    A more impressive scene took place in the throne room of the palace when the new Emperor, Yoshihito, received the sacred treasures. His Majesty entered the hall, preceded by the Minister of the Household, the Chief of the Board of Ceremonies, the Lord Chamberlain, military and naval aids, and the Imperial Princes. He was followed by Prince Yamagata, President of the Privy Council; Marquis Matsukata, member of the Privy Council; Marquis Inouye, Councillor of State, and others of similar rank, the Premier, Marquis Saionji, the Ministers of State, Marshals, Generals, and Admirals.
    The scene lacked brilliancy, although not solemnity, for most of those present were without uniforms, having been in the palace two days and not having time to go to their homes prior to the ceremony.
    The Emperor ascended the throne, before which had been placed simple wooden tables. On these reposed the sacred sword and necklace, two of the three sacred treasures. The third of the sacred treasures, the mirror, which is deposited in the shrine of Ise, will be received by the Emperor later. The Imperial and National seals also were taken over by his Majesty, who immediately arose, and, standing, received the homage of the entire assemblage. This concluded the ceremony.
    The Emperor left the palace just before noon, proceeding to his former residence, but prior to leaving he received the Premier and Prince Yamagata and requested them to continue their best efforts in behalf of the Emperor and the country and to communicate his desires to their colleagues.
    The Emperor will receive all the State Ministers and naval and military officers to-morrow morning.
    All departments of the Government have been in conference, and it is expected that an amnesty decree will soon be issued. It will probably include the alleged conspirators in Korea.

Last Days of the Emperor.
    The death of Mutsuhito was due to acute nephritis, otherwise known as Bright's disease. This was complicated with diabetes and an intestinal affection. As is usual in such cases, the patient occasionally showed marked signs of improvement followed by a relapse. Since Thursday the condition of the Emperor had been gradually growing worse, with high fever, weak and irregular pulse, and shallow respiration.
    Haruko, the Empress, won universal sympathy because of her untiring vigil in the sickroom, where she remained continuously for ten days. Even on the last day she pitifully begged the physicians to gain a further respite for the dying Emperor.
    Everything known to science was done to prolong the life of the sovereign. The whole nation watched pathetically, because the death of the Emperor would mark the end of an era in the history of Japan, and the people clung almost fiercely to the tradition with which the dying monarch appeared indissolubly linked.
    Even as late as yesterday the Emperor showed marvelous vitality in resisting the approach of death. Although he had been unconscious since dawn, his heart continued to beat, and he made occasional feeble movements with his hands or tongue whenever his lips were moistened, while his rapid, feeble breathing showed that he was making a supreme struggle.
    All the imperial Princes were summoned to the sickchamber Sunday evening. They were present at the noon examination yesterday by the Court physicians, who found his Majesty's pulse very feeble. The pulse beats had increased to 146, while the patient's fingers and toes had turned to a purple hue.
    At 10 o'clock last night the physicians' bulletin said the imperial patient's temperature had increased, and his condition was more serious.
    Prince Sadanaru Fushimi, the Emperor's cousin, and three other Princes left the palace for a short rest at 6 o'clock in the evening, but the Crown Prince and most of the Cabinet Ministers remained in a room adjoining the sickchamber, awaiting the inevitable end.

Burial to Be at Kioto.
    The date for the funeral of Mutsuhito has not yet been fixed, but probably it will take place within a month at Kioto, where the Emperor had expressed a desire to be buried, on the site of Maruyama Palace, built by Hideyoshi in the sixteenth century. The old form funeral ceremonies will doubtless be modified considerably because it is impossible to adapt old usages to modern conditions, but many unique customs will be retained.
    Under the household law the public coronation of Emperor Yoshihito must be held at Kioto. This will probably take place about one year hence. It is believed that business will be interfered with as little as possible. All entertainments will cease for a protracted period, which so far has not been designated.
    A new era begins, the name of which will be announced to-morrow, together with other details on which the Council of State is now engaged. There is a possibility that a special session of Parliament will be called, to obtain the fullest co-operation,
It is not believed that the accession of the new Emperor will change the policies of Japan.
    Yoshihito is highly respected by his subjects, and ceremonies in connection with his accession, under the Constitution promulgated by his father, invest his person and surroundings with the same sacredness as his predecessor.
    The American Ambassador, Charles Page Bryan, was the first caller at the palace after the announcement of the death of the Emperor. He was accompanied by Charles J. Arnell, Japanese Secretary and Interpreter, and presented condolences.
    All the powers have been notified, and the foreign representatives will call at the palace to-morrow.