Against this movement, Prime Minister Katsura frequently abused "Shochoku" (imperial edict) of Emperor Taisho, which was originally issued by the Emperor to stop the political disputes, respecting the period for mourning of former Emperor Meiji (Imperial Edict Tactics), and tried to silence the people's criticism of the government.
こうした動きに対し、桂首相は明治天皇の諒闇中（服喪期間）であるから政争を中止するように諭した大正天皇の詔勅（優詔）を受けてこれを乱発し、政府批判を封じた（優詔政策）。