The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-19

Phenomenal Aptitude Of the People for
Western Civilization.
Yoknh ans Cs zefte


Yokohama Gazette.
Japan has been undergoing the novel ex-
perience Of general parliamentary cleo
ton. The new constitution. which was
promulgated in the early part OF last year,
provided, among other things, for house
OF commons composed Of 800 members, the
parliamentary franchise being conferred
upon every man who has attained his
twenty fifth year and who pays land or in
come tax to the amount of at least f3 .
year. The first general election for menu
bers Of parliament took place on Tuesday.
Now that the Jap has got his house of COM
mons. the question is, What will he do with
1T Win his new constitution at him
ike his European clothes7 Time will show.
Meanwhile it has to be acknowledged that
the japanese have displayed phenomenal
aptitude for Western civilization in the
fullest sense Of that term. In them the
seclnsi0n Of centuries seems 70 have oper-
ated IN exactly the opposite way TO that
which the Chinese seclusiveness has done.
The latter, as nation, remain nerveless,
and still cling to played out" civiliza-
ton. In Japan, on the contrary, long iso-
lation from the rest of the world would an
pear to have resulted in Z conservation Of
energy; for no sooner were the more intel
ligent classes really in touch with Euro
pcan influences than vigorous revolution
began. The mikado ceased to
be an Emperor Faineant An army
and navy were devised on modern lines.
Trade was placed upon sound economic
basis, . witness the redemption OF the de-
were cultivated with assiduity and with no
small amount Of success. The civil and
the criminal laws have been placed on q
footing whichiwouId do nodiscredit to some
European nations, while education is re-
ceiving due attention. The change, which
began with the restoration Of 1867, Nay be
said to have eliminated in the establish
ment of constitutional government, and
the present elections give the finishing
touch to steady and, on the whole. peace
full revolution.
Assuming that the Japanese are ripe for
representative government. the pariia-
mentary institutions with which they are
now endowed can hardly be cavilied at
For electoral purposes, the administrativ
divisions of the empire into cities and pre-
lectures are taken As the basis. Each ciyt
and prefecture being subdivided into cleo
ton districts on the principle of equal rep
resentatiOn for equal numbers of the pop
ulati0A. The ballot has been eschewed, but
each election district is managed locally.
government officials having no cognizance Of
the matter until the headman and witnesses
communicate the result. The house of
peers. established under the new constitu-
ton. is partly hereditary and partly elect
i've with . further section nominated by
the mikado. To these houses of parlia-
ment are entrusted all legislative func-
tons. and als0-within certain limits-the
control of the pubic purse. While parlia-
ment IS out OF session the mikado may
promulgate ordinances which will have the
full effect of law. but only until
parliament reassembles, when they
must be submitted for acceptance.
amendment or rejection at the
earliest possible moment One might sup
pose. if it were only for the novelty of the
thing, that the japanese electors would be
little better than dumb driven cattle. Ii
appears to be otherwise. however. Party
lor rather partisan) politics have been rag
ing 6ercely for the past year or two. Ii
was public opinion" formed and di-
rected by writers in the press and by polit-
icai agitators on the platform, that forced
Count Okuma to resign in December last.
The present composition of the Japanese
cabinet, however, can only be regarded as
provisional. There are ten ministers Of
cabinet rank IN the government, besides
the minister president of state The latter
occupies position analogous to that of the
German imperial chancellor, and not to
that of the English prime minister: for in
Japan, as in Germany. the first minister
may Csi6h ou QucotioH Vi pOtlCy WQ1le tie
rest OF the cabinet retain their portfolios.
Thus it happens that at the
present moment, not one of the four leading
statesmen Of Japan-namely. Counts Ito
Inouye, Kuroda and Okuma-is a member
of the government The principle of min
isterial responsibility for single depart
ment only is no doubt best for Japan; for
administration by party is only possible
under highly advanced conditions OF re-
sponsible government. japanese ministers
have yet to learn what dual responsibility
means-responsibility to the mikado
on the ono hand and responsibility
70 parliament on the other; and possibly
1t will take some time for the legislature To
understand its own proper functions-and
power. Whether representative govern
ment will prove success in Japan time
alone can show: but the japanese are
patriotic, courageous and intelligent; they
possess great confidence in themselves.
and mean to succeed in what they have
undertaken. These qualities make for sue
cess.
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