The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-10


element and have had great experience in
public AFFAIRS rs councillors Of the former
Daimios or feudal princes. Under the
old regime, each Daimo governed
his feudal province, through pro-
vincial council chosen from among his re-
tanners. THIS council represented the hest
executive, jud cial, administrative, and
military talent in the province. These
councillors now govern Japan on pop
ular principles, through imperial forms.
OKUBo, the leading statesman of japan,
and actual Prime Minister. like all those
by whom he Is surrounded, was the coun-
cillor Of II Daimio. Their policy is essen
tally progressive.
The arstocratic or conservative party Is
profoundly dissatisfied with this policy.
SHiMADzu SABURo, the uncle of the young
Prince of SArsuMA, leads the opposition. and
represents the dangerous class of the late
Samurai. The people of satsuma swarm
In the military and civil offices of the Gov
ernment On the occasion of the Corean
difficulty, SHIMADzU SABURo made great
speech in the imperial council, urging I'M
mediate war with the Coroa, openly avow-
ing that his chief reason in advocating this
policy was for the purpose of giving occu-
patton to the Samurai. The Government
adopted n peaceful course, and SuIMAD-
ZU resigned from the council, and
eight general officers in the army, all
Satsuma men, resigned the same
night, Tho army Is chiefly OH
cered by fellow cansmon of SuI-
MADzU. These events were ut the time
much commented on by the press of Toxic.
The Hochi Shimbm newspaper, which OPP
posed tho war. hid several very strong
leaders on the Corean difficulty, in which
SHTMADZU's speech was severely crlti-
cised. SnrMADzu obstinately opposed the
edlct against officials having their heads
shaved. He was a member of the Council
of State when the Government intimated
n desire that officials should wear European
dress. The next day he appeared Mt the
Council with the hair on the sides OF the
scalp more firmly gummed up than ever.
While his colleagues sat in high velvet
chairs, he sat on a mat. smoked his pipe,
and was attended by three coolies-one for
his mat one for his pipe, and one to pull
out over his feet the brocaded trousers
which train behind japanese gentleman
OF the old noblesse.
The days of old Japan are numbered.
The ancient traditions are fast dying out.
The great feudal lords were shorn of all
political power aud une-tenths of their
former incomes when the revolution was
made. Oligarchy, aristocracy, aud hered-
itary political power then received a blow
from which they cannot recover. Thus
the democratic element has gained very
"A
OF knowlcdge anu the emancipation Of tho
press, tins element is likely To increlsa in
! power and influence from now forward.
| The pensions awarded to Dlimios by the
state. when they were stripped Of their
provinces, amounted in the aggregate to
| sli,0O0,0OO, ana form by far the heaviest
| Government disbursements. being half rs
much again rs the military expenditure.
! five times the cost of the navy, and Ave
times the interest on the national debt.
These great lords, tho aristocrats OF
| the land, are in the enjoyment of
incomes which would he considered
princely in any part of the world.
The young Prince of SATsUNA, who - mt
the head of the most powerful OF the clans,
gets s4,0o0,0OO year. There are some
thirty Darnios receiving pensions of
over 100000 per nnnum each. Some of
these gentlemen spend their time and
money in foreign travel. Several have
established themselves abroad. The ex-
Prince of IIIzEN Is living in London with
his family. He is a member of two Lon
! don clubs. quite fond of society, and
miugles freely in all the social ami thcat-
rical pleasures of the capital. He returned
an income of $4,000 last year. The young
| gentleman who, but for the revolution
would have been Prince of AVA, is an
undergraduate at oxford. His income is
returned ut Sl2j0J0 year. The Prince
OF KAMA enjoys n pension of $500, OOO
per annum.
There Is in Japan strong party in
favor Of reducing these pensions. As
the country is now organized, the
voice of the people has been able to make
| itself heard in no uncertain tones on this
subject; ana a very strong pressure is
| brought to bear upon OKUMA, the Finance
| Minister. Money is wanted in every de-
partment OF Government. The army, the
navy, the post Office, lighthouses, and rail
roads require money to keep them up 10
the required standard OF European eff
!
falling OF. while the growth of the silk
trade IN Italy and this country is working
serious injury to Japan. TaXos IRE heavy,
ana immediate relief can only be obtained
10y reduction of the pensions, although
the pensions are liable TO taxation, aud the
income tax cut them down to the extent
OF one-tenth last year. The people are
thoroughly democratic. "Thcse pension
ers - they say, "do nothing whatever for
the money thew receive" The feudal
lords have had their day in Japan. and
arlstocracy must give way in Japan, a,
elsewhere The Daimios will submit grace
fully, if not willingly. Half loaf is bet.
ter than no bread.
BristOw and Grant.
GRANr now makes no cOnccllment OF
his hostility to BRIsTow, on of bis mo.