Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-02-04
JAPAN,s WOMAN LEADER.
Fair Agitator who Is Attacking tn
Customs of Centuries.

customs OF centuries.
Kagcama 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 Kageams
Hidde. 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 Ksgeama
Hidde is a radical of the radicals, an agi-
tator OF agiJators, a kind of Japanese
Louise Michel. She is the leader of the
radical party that is shaking the aged i'll
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 Kageama Hidde and her people
wishS How do they try to induce others
to wish the samei How do they intend to
get what they wish' 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
1t 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
int tn1h hon. A. . Ill
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 uihilsts. Louise
MichePs 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 If we are to 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 offense. Now we
have the parliament we ask for more.
We are founding associations or groups
for the elevation of the masses and the
undermining of the aristocracy We are
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 small part, 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 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 elec-
tioneers, not only for her kindness and
cleverness 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
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.