Swiftly detecting Katsura's attempt, Yamagata forced Katsura to hold the two honorary posts, the minister of palace and the grand chamberlain in August 1912, right after the demise of Emperor Meiji, trying to deprive Katsura of real political power.
それを察知した山縣は、明治天皇崩御（死去）直後の1912年8月に桂を内大臣兼侍従長に押し込めて政治的引退を図る。