Whereas We make it the joy and glory of Our heart to behold the prosperity of Our country, and the welfare of Our subjects, We do hereby, in virtue of the supreme power We inherit from Our Imperial Ancestors, promulgate the present immutable fundamental law, for the sake of Our present subjects and their descendants.
The Imperial Founder of Our House and One other Imperial Ancestors, by the help and support of the forefathers of Our subjects, laid the foundation of Our Empire upon a basis which is to last forever. That this brilliant achievement ewbellishes the annals of Our country, is due to the glorious virtues of Our Sacred Imperial Ancestors, and to the loyalty and bravery of Our sub: jects, th love of their country, and their public spirit. Considering that Our subjects are the descendants of the loyal and good subjects of Our Imperial Ancestors, We doubt not but that Our subjects will be guided by Our views, and will sympathise with all Our endeavours, and that, harmoniously ce-operating together, they will share with Os Our hope of making manifest the glory of Our country, both at home and abroad, and of securing forever the stability of the work bequeathed to Us by Our Imperial Ani tors.
Before assuming his place on the throne,
Sanctuary of the Palace and bound him-His Imperial majesty worshipped at the self by an oath to secure from decline the ancient form of government," never to fail to be an example to his subjects in the observance of the Laws (then shortly to be) established. Immediately it. became known that the act of promulgation had taken place, the bells of the capital pealed forth, and salutes announced the good news, and to every city and district of the realm telegrams sped on their way. "Never before has pan seen such a day; never at Vious time have her people mani consuming interest and enthusiasm. nessing the restless delight and excitement of the populace it was curious to reflect that not one in five thousand had any knowledge whatever regarding the nature or conditions of the gift. But all apparently possessed an excellent substitute in the confidence enjoyed in their rolers. Before nightfall, however, copies of the constitation were on sale at the Kompo Kioku (Bureau of the Oficial Gazette), and the evening papers of the metropolis contained more or less particulars. The Constitution provides for the convocation of an Imperial Diet next year (the 23rd year of Meiji), and in what may perhaps be referred to as the preamble, it is expressly stipulated that in the event of any alteration or amendment becoming necessary, the preposition therefor shall rest with the Emperor, who will "submit a project for the same to the Imperial Diet. The Imperial Diet shall pose its vote upon it, according to the conditions imposed by tle present Constitution, and in no otherwise shall Our descendants or Our subject be permitted tw attempt any alterati The preamble closes with an_ enunciation of the responsibility of the Ministers of State for the carrying out of the Constitution, and of the duty of allegiance to it of all "present and future subjects." Article I. of Chapter I. declares that "the Empire of Japan shall be reigned over and governed by a line of Emperors unbroken for ages eternal." Male descendants only' are eligible for heirship, Article III firms that "the Emperor is sacred and inviolable"; and Article V that "the Emperor exercises the legislative Bice" "The Emperor **has the supreme wer with the consent of the Imperial
command of the army and navy "declares war, makes peace and' concludes treaties," "orders amnesty, pardon, commutation of punishments, and rehabilitation."
Chapter LI is devoted to points immediately affecting the subject. It pronounces all, "according to qualifications determined inlaws or ordinances," fit candidates for appointment "to civil or military or any other public offices all are amenable
be arrested, detained, tried' or punished te service in the ary or navy, none "shall unless according to law," none shall have his house entered or searched without
for in the law," the privacy of corres: his consent except in the canes proved pondence saving in exceptional cases nentioned in the law," right of property shall remain inviolate; and fit "liberty of speech, writing, ublic meeting, and association' within the limits of law, and freedom of religious belief " within limits not prejudicial to peace and order, and nut antagonistic to their duties as subjects" are guaranteed to all equally.
The Imperial Diet is to consist of two Houses, a House of Peers and a House of Representatives, the former composed of "the members of the Imperial Family, of the orders of nobility, and of those persons who have been nominated thereto by the Emperor," and the latter of members elected by the people." The Diet is to be convoked every year, and to sit for three lenths only, unless prolonged by Imperial order. Besides legislative work, the Diet will have the right of examination of the Budget and of voting amendments to it but without actually controlling the Budget; and "the raising of national loans and the contracting of other liabilities to the charge of the National Treasury, except those that are provided in the Bud-Hick" Members of both Houses, save that et, shall require the consent of the Imperial
portion of the Upper House consisting of Thembers of the Imperial Family and of the orders of nobility, are to receive an annual allowance of eight hundred yen each, be sides travelling expenses. tions for the House of Representatives every four years.
Such briefly are the salient features of the Constitution. It will he interesting to note how it is received,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.