abolition of the judicial and tariff provisions of the treaty. Disheartened in its labors, the government decided to abandon further attempts at treaty revision, in the hope that time would work out the deliverance of the nation.[1]
But it did not slacken the movement for reform, and on the two thousand five hundred and forty-ninth anniversary of the foundation of the dynasty there occurred the most momentous event in Japanese history and the crowning work in the regeneration of the country—the promulgation by the emperor of the imperial constitution, accompanied by his solemn oath to observe and enforce it, and also by a decree for the election of an imperial diet or parliament. The promulgation was made by the emperor in the throne-room of the palace with stately ceremonies, and was witnessed by the diplomatic representatives who had so recently refused to recognize the advance which the empire had made in governmental and social reorganization, and who were still unwilling to admit it into the family of nations.[2]
The patience and forbearance of Japanese statesmanship, however, at last had its reward in a notable triumph over Western diplomacy. The war with China had thrown a fresh light on oriental affairs. A new people had appeared above the horizon of international politics, not only able to defend their independence,
- ↑ The United States in the Far East, by R. B. Hubbard, Richmond, 1900, chap. xvi.; Norman's Far East, 385; Chamberlain's Things Japanese, 443 Atlantic Monthly, 1887, pp. 728–733; Nitobe's Intercourse, etc. 105; U. S. For. Rel. 1886, p. 564; 8 Presidents' Messages, 402, 501.
- ↑ U. S. For. Rel. 1889, p. 536; Murray's Story of Japan, 394; Minister Kurimo in N. A. Rev. May, 1895, p. 624.
