Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-03-05
JAPAN's WOMAN LEADER.
A Fair Agitator Who Is Attacking tho
Customs of Centuries.


Customs of Centuries.
Kageana Hidde is probably the most re-
markable woman in Japan. She IS hardly
q years old, OF medium height and fault
less figure, and has great, soulful eyes that
are calculated to make all hearts of male
Japs palpitate violent responses to their
glances. The hearts of male Japs, how
ever have little interest for Kageama
Hide. She considers love and matrimony
to be matters of secondary Importance in
her busy life, and values men above wom-
en- only as more powerful instruments IN
the accomplishment Of her one purpose,
the democratizing of Japan, for Kageama
Hidde is a radical of the radicals, an agi-
tator of agitators, a kind of japanese
Louise Michel. She is the leader of the
radical party that is shaking the aged in
stitutions OF the mikado's empire, and
from her homo in Osaka superintends the
organization Of her followers and the
spreading of the propaganda.
What do Kageama Elidde and her people
wish? How do they try to induce others
to wish the same? How do they intend to
get what they wish? Kageama Hide re-
Gently answered these questions with her
own pretty painted japanese lips.
ave desire no central government, but
self government. The organization Of the
party is difficult. As we may not conduct
it openly, we conduct it in secrecy Most
Of our people are SO far behind the times
that we consider it best to proceed step by
stem. The end of it all will be communism
or something Of the kind OF the radical
movement we know nothing, because our
papers are not allowed to print anything
about it. Our own views, too may not be
printed here As the law neglects to for
bid the reading of our works, however, we
print abroad as many papers as our limited
means allow, bring them here, and dis
tribute them among the masses. We are
sorry for the Russian nihilists. Louise
Michel's name is familiar to us, but we
know too little about her views to say
whether we indorse them or not
Most japanese have very antlquated
ideas Nevertheless we must labor with
them il we are 70 revolutionize our polit-
ical system, and we must move forward
little by little Thus we conducted our
agitation for parliament, the advocacy OF
which was once a penal otfeuse. Now we
have the parliament we ask for more.
We are founding associations or groups
for the elevation of the misses and tho
undermining Of the aristoeracy. We are
calling for government by the people, in
which the lower classes VIII also partlci-
pate We wish equal rights for all, and
we look for the supporters OF this move
ment naturally among the working peo-
Pile They must be won at any price.
small part of the Japanese people is very
radical, but only a small part. um found
ing schools in which women are educated
practically. Our party is called the Lib
erty party, and our organization is known
as the group system. The present system
Of government is bound to be upset by us,
but how soon | cannot say
Kageama Iidde is a schoolmistress by
profession. She has already been punished
by imprisonment for expressing her radi-
cal opinions She is worshiped by the
mass OF people among whom she cleo
tioneers, not only for her Kindness and
cleyerness but also for her humility and
simplicity of dress Her hair is combed
straight from her forehead, and lies in
plain twist on the back of her head Her
underslirt IS Of unadorned dark silk, her
overslSirt is OF unadorned silk Of u slightly
lighter shade, and the cloth on her head is
lnembroidered and white New York
Sun