Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-31
she LEADS A POLITICAL PARTY.
A Woman Shaking Up MOuldy Customs in
the MikadO's Empire.

Kagoama llidde is probably the most re-
markable woman III Japan. She IS hardly
twcutv-eeyen years old. of medium height
and faultless figure, and has great, soulful
ewes that are calculated To make all hearts
of male Japs palpitate violent responses TO
their chances. The hearts Of male Japs,
however, have little interest for hagea-
ma Hidde. She considers love and
matrimony 10 be matters of second
airy importance IN her busy life, and
values mon above women only as
more powerful instruments III the accom-
plishment of her one purpose. the demo
cratiZing of Japan. for kagearna Hldde Is
a radical of the radicals an aSltator OF the
agitators. kind of japanese Louise MI
chel without Louise MlchePs craZlnes5
and venom. She is the leader of the radi-
cal party that Is shaking the aged lnstitu-
ti0ns of the MikadJ'S empire, aud from
her home in Osaka superiltends the organl-
cation Of her followers and the spread
M of the propaganda.
What do kagenma Hide and her
people wish How do they try TO induce
the others TO wish the same? How do
they intend to get what they wish! IA
geama Hidde recently answered these
questions with her own pretty, painted.
japanese lips.
sNlI-EOktfnlltAI. 4 nf OE iulLhtittl Vi Al'
party IS difficult. As We may not conduct
it openly we conduct in secrecy. Most of
our people are so far behind the times that
we consider II best 20 proceed step by
step. The end OF il oil will be com
muuism or something of the kind. OF the
radical movement We know nothing,
because our papers are not allowed
10 print ANYTHING about 1t. Our own
views, too, may not be printed here. AZ
the law neslects to forbid the reading OF
our works. however, We print abroad as
many papers as our limited means allow,
bring them here, and distribute them
among the masses. We are sorry for the
Russian Nihilsts. Louise Michels name
IA familiar with us, but We know too little
about her views 10 say whether we endorse
them or not. Most Japanese have very AL
tiquated ideas.
Nevertheless, we must labor with them
if we are to reyOlutionize our political sys-
TEN. and we must move forward little by
little. Thus We conducted our agitation
for Parliament, the advocacy of which
was once penal offence. Now we have the
Parliament we ask for more. We are
founding associations or groups for the
elevation of the masses and the I'M
dermining of the aristocracy. We are
calling for a government by the people,
in which tho lower classes will also
participate. We wish equal rights for
all. and we look for the supporters OF this
movement naturally among the working
people. They must be won at any price. A
small part OF the Japanese people Is very
radical but only small part. lam found
ing schools in which women are educated
practically. Our party is called the liberal
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 q sehoolmistress by
profession. She has already been punished
by imprisonment for expressing her radical
opinions. She is worshipped by the mass
OF people among whom she electIoneers,
not only for her kindness and cieverness,
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 oyerskirt Is OF
unadorned silk Of slightly lighter shade,
and the cloth on her heads unembroidered
and white.