The Ides of March!

The Imperial Household Ministry proclaimed throughout Japan last week that applications from wet nurses will again be entertained.

Eager women in all parts of the Empire heard the call but only from the Kanto district of Southern Japan did candidates set out promptly for Tokyo, since Imperial wet nurses, by tradition, must be Kanto women. Physicians attached to the Imperial Household Ministry began a thoroughgoing medical examination of hundreds of applicants which will continue for at least a month. Conscientious internes cranked and cranked at whirring centrifugal milk-testing machines. Zealous investigators checked the social status of each applicant lest some highborn peeress or ambitious bourgeoise sneak in. For by immemorial custom the two wet nurses assigned to each newborn child of the Son of Heaven, the Sublime Emperor Hirohito, must be of peasant status. At these two symbolic points in Japanese life the lowest and the most exalted meet.

Throughout the week pious workmen, specially purified, were furiously busy building in the Fountain Garden of Chiyoda Castle the pavilion in which Her Majesty the Empress Nagako will be delivered. The pavilion will contain a Waiting Room for His Majesty and Dr. Kirikuro Ikki, Minister of the Court.

The Imperial Household Ministry fixed but kept secret a tentative date in January for the impressive religious service of "affixing the maternity belt." Since this is always done as nearly as possible two months in advance, Japanese focused prayers and hopes last week upon the Ides of March.

Thus far the children of Their Majesties have been three daughters, one of whom has died. Japan's crown prince is therefore Prince Chichibu, eldest brother of the Emperor, but no allusion to this fact is ever made by the intensely loyal Japanese press. It is even widely held that the birth of a son to Prince Chichibu would be an intolerable affront to the Son of Heaven. Thus far Crown Princess Setsuko (daughter of onetime Japanese Ambassador to the U. S. Tsuneo Matsudaira * has remained childless, an object of Japanese sympathy and esteem. Without venturing a direct comment, the genealogical experts of the Imperial Household Ministry discreetly apprised the press last week that there is no precedent requiring brothers of the Emperor to defer to him in this respect. Public opinion, according to the experts, must not be allowed to crystallize upon an idea oppressive to the Emperor's brothers and contrary to the interests of the Dynasty. Prince Takamatsu, second brother of the Emperor, is still on his round-the- world honeymoon (TIME, May 5). Prince Sumi, youngest Imperial brother is a bachelor aged 15.

* Who used to keep extra-proof gin in his Washington golf locker to the immense satisfaction of young U. S. State Department employes.

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