The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-22
Resignation Of the Chief of the Imperial
Treasury and Elk Post Faoto Procla-
nation Against the National
System Of Finance.
An Appeal to the People Against the Policy and
Practice Of the Placemen-British Bank In
terests and an Attempt to Repeat In
dia-The Great Feudal Baron Who
Refuses To Be Modernized

this country arising from disagreement in policy
between okuma one OF the Privy Council, and
lnoye Bunda the Chief OF the Finance Depart
nent. The difficulty was that Inoye was opposed
70 the lavish expenditure OF the government,
while Okuma was in favor Of ''improvement" at
whatever cost to the treasury. Again, Inoye was
thoroughly independent in his expressions of opin-
Ion, while okuma was the mouthpiece Of the job
bers and OF the oriental Bank Corporation At the
time Of date OF my former letter Inoye had threat
ened to resign; but it seems as II compromise Of
some sort had been arrived at for his leaving ONCE
was not consummated. Lately, however, these diff
ferences broke out afresh. lnoye and his imme-
date subordinate, Shibusawa, have both resigned.
THE CAUSES WHY
The mere fact OF change in the Finance Depart
ment OF Japan would not perhaps be matter OF
very great Importance to American readers in gen.
eral, although such a circumstance could not fail
10 interest those who have commercial relations
with this country But in the change that has now
taken place one or two circumstances are to be OBJ
served, which cannot fail to make it a matter Of
very considerable Importance to all those who have
but an indirect interest in the welfare of Japan.
In the first place. then, Inoye, in resgning, has
introduced practice which cannot but consider
augurs well for the country should it be continued
namely, he has addressed himself to the public
through the press, and has gwen his views upon
public matters through the channel OF a news
paper TO the whole people This is most
significant fact. For il must be taken
into consideration that Japan has not yet entirely
shaken on her feudal ideas. Feudallsm exists no
more in law as fact, but 1t must necessarily still
hnger as an idea in the minds OF many who were
old enough to appreciate the change at the time
II was made And the press is but an infant, not
yet out OF its swaddng clothes. 1t is not yet
Of one 1.-THE OF its own power much less has that
power been recognized by ministers and officials.
Yet Notwithstanding all this, one OF the chief
Onlcals OF the country, disagreeing with the rest
Of the Cabinet resigns his office, and tells the
reasons Of his resignation to the people
through the press, thereby recognizing in one
act, not only the press as power, but what is Of
still more significance, recognizing the power OF
public opinion in the Empire--a term which hest
tate not TO say has hitherto been scarcely under
stood. Hence l attach immense Importance to
the publication OF a document emanating Tor the
first time from high pubic functionary.
vHB PLEA OF THE ECONOMIC REFORMER TO THE
PEOPLE
The document is rather long one, and as might
be expected from japanese. somewhat verbose
and indstinct. therefore shall not send II to you
In full, but shall make extracts thererOm emitting
only those parts which seem to me to have no
bearing upon the points tho Minister wishes TO eX-
plain TIE paper commences, somewhat abruptly,
IS follows-
on natural causes sill they also be affected by the
merits or dement's OF the measures adopted BY The gov
ton and yet progress has already been
which during several centuries hadbeen imperative has
been revived while on a the other hand the vigorous
Continents have been searched for whatever worthy
changed and the whole country brought one RUE.
Birth no Longer the sole i,s tor office but
The document then mentions the Improvements
that have been made IN legislation, education, mill
tary organization, &c. Points out what has been
graphs, &C, refers to the Mint iron oundres roads
and houses, and proceeds
II continue in this for few years without
stopping civilization will be such that shall be
ashamed to stand comparison with any country in
tons OF every European or american country are d;
E1y e de Be
10 live by his own exertons but our people do the
the allowance OF rice inherited from his progenitors
70 s
ordinary village routine but cannot improve IN the art OF
discuss the price Of aboI but not how to discover the
the laws Of commerce XII Of these are ignorant Of the
q BE- e9e and
o us g ee osne he
do better than climb on 10 the conspicuous mound
deceit are prevalent and rickery showsitse thou
sm o SesRay a ahd penp are loo e
Try to make them suddenly enter the region Of enght
that 6e mm r changed i into :" escken III
what patriot viii not Wish or the civilized
of a European or American country But the samarai
those lands have their behed their state All
And yet hey are and excited in
wishing enter into rivalry with those countries Still
for some years When they return home some maintain
emfnence Of France or it may be, Holland America,
Prussia Austria. They compare the superiority o.
opment productive regions in legislation, debates
sppances-in short IN every branch the attempt had
been made 70 equip ourselves completely by including
our civilization Although We ought to place aim
saTy that in order to wore we should step BY
step and IN regular order assuring ouse es r OF each
should not be A. variance Win the eapaei,ie o. the
people. ,AssniIedy we should not proceed hastily
IN too short space Of tae Il Is necessary ihoreiore
coed SEP BY step and IN regular order assuring Ga c
known. We sa initiate the oa SSppy g%.uesy style Sic
direction This is what we cannot feel Tranquil, about
tbs sate OF things At the tune Of the Reiermeon the
government FASTENED TO select men Of talent and the
their desire H. Every who had single &c.
10 the loot Of The throne Those Who IN past tme had
been digent and faithful servants could not suddenly
necessary talent while those who were famed Tor iher
had given a little dissatisfaction Thus, outside the
official ranks there whom It was necessary to
who could be dismissed The want Of unctonaries
90 carry the government less fet than AT
This moment
The document then takes up considerable space
10 show the evil OF having too many officials EN-.
ployed, giving as principal reason that through
the multiplicity OF officials Oyeregisaton results,
and TINS induces extra taxation and consequent
discomfort. Then comes the most in Interesting part
OF the d0cument-namely the present fnan cial con-
dition OF the country. IL reads thus
rough calculation q ne total annual revenue o. The
whole country shows that does not exceed 5000 UOO
yen, while the expenditure for the may
estimated reach the OF I0OnOOl ven, II no ur.
trouble occurs SO that comparing
and expenditure OF single year d deficit 900
yen appears Besides this, ~ consequence o. urgent
national affairs since the Reformation, the which
has incurred from year to year, a. in excess OF
revenue probably exceeds 1000 OOJ sen In addition
paper money issued BY the depart
ments and the former Han, and the debts due Japan
and in foreign countries when added togc Their
close upon 10000 0 ven So that the total liabilities
OF the government at this moment are lO,0W0O0 ven,
and provision has yet been made Tor paying them on
The gold yen is now the unit OF currency It's