Milford chronicle., 1891-02-06
JAPANs WOMAN LEADER.
A Fair AEitator who Is Attacking the
Customs Of Centuries.

Customs Of Centuries.
Kageama 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 liCtle interest for Kageama
Hidde. She considers love and matrimony
to be matters Of secondary importance in
her busy life, and values men above wOm-
an only as more powerful instruments in
tie 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 home in Osaka superintends the
organization Of her followers and the
spreading Of the propaganda.
What do KageaIna Hidde and her people
wish9 How do they try to induce others
to wish the sameg How do they intend to
get what they wish9 Kageama Hidde re-
Gently answered these questions with her
own pretty, painted japanese lips.
I'VE 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
step. 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
Miehel'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 antiquated
ideas. Nevertheless we must labor with
them il we are to revolutionize our pOlit-
ieal system, and we must move forward
little by little Thus we conducted our
agitation for parliament, the ad9is x Of
which was once a penal offense. 70, hss-
have the parliament we ask ~ ", 90
We are founding associations or gf6-sS
for the elevation of the masses and the
undermining Of the aristOcracy. We are
calling for a government by the people, in
which the lower classes will also partici-
pate. We wish equal rights for all, and
we look for the supporters Of this move
ment naturally among the working peo-
pie. They must be won at any price. A
small part of the Japanese people is very
radical, but only a small part. 1 am 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 Hidde 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
eleverness but also for her humility and
simplicity Of dress. Her hair Is combed
straight from her forehead, and lies in a
plain twist on the back Of her head. Her
underskirt Is Of unadorned dark silk, her
overskirt is Of unadorned silk Of slightly
lighter shade, and the cloth on her head is
unembroidered and white New York
Sun,