New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-14
4 JAPANESE STATESMAN.
COUNT OKUMA AND HIS PATRIOTIC
SERVICES.
London, August Z


London, August 2.
Count Okuma, the leader Of the Progressive
party in Japan, who has once again been SUBJ
jected to a murderous attack by would-bc assas-
sins. is the most enlightened. sagacious and emf
nent Of all the statesmen Of the Land Of the Rising
Sun. couple of yeaH ago while holding the
oili5e OF Minister OF Foreign Affairs, an explosive
bomb was thrown into his carriage and inflicted
such severe injuries that one of his legs had to DO
amputated Although he has never travelled
abroad and speaks foreign language no one has
contributed moro toward the intercourse Of Japan
with western nations and to the development
and progress Of his country. Indeed, he is re-
garled the moving spirit of the reform party,
and as such is the object of bitter hatred and
antagonsm on the part Of the rcactionary and
fanatical element.
Count Okuma is native Of the province OF
Iizen, and filled various offices in the reformed
administration between 1868 and 1881. For .
number of years he was Minister of Finance, and
his policy while in that position, especially in refer
ence TO the paper currency and the Government
connection with Industrial undertakings, was
marked by great craftsmanship and sagacity.
japanese finances when he assumed the office wero
in a state of chaos. The civil war and the dis
turbances of previous years would have unsettled
the finances in any country; in Japan in addition
the semi-indepcndent position of the euda nobility
in regard 10 the finances of their territory AS TO
almost everything else, added to the confusion.
The statesmen Of the Restoration found them
selves forced to take over the debts Of the feudal
mobiles. who had been purchasing foreign steamers.
modern arms and other expensive objects at enor-
nous prices: they had 10 meet the cost Of tho
war and OF the new administration built upon the
ruins Of the old system, OF new army, navy, ana
police. Of the Introduction Of local governments
and educational systems; added TO all these IN
a few years they had to provide pensions for the
territorial mobiles and their retsinerS, whose occu'
pations were gone with the destruction of the
feudal system.
For fen years after the restoration of the Mikado
the internal condition Of the country required
slecpess vigilance and constant preparation 20
meet the outbreaks Of the members OF the old
military class several rebellons Of greater or less
magnitude had 10 be suppressed in various parts OK
the country and finally came the Satsuma reDeilon
OF 1871 which for the greater part OF the year
demanded the whole energies Of the Imperial forces
for lis suppression Throughout the greater
part Of this trying period Count Okuma was the
Finance Minister. At one time the paper cur
rency was from fifty TO eighty per cent below par
az compared with silver. but when all the diff
culties OF the country are considered the wonder Is
that the depreciation not greater. Finance
is not O subject 10 interest the popular mind put
il ever the financial history OF the early years OF
the reformed japanese Government is written 10
will form not the least striking chapter in a MAJ.
vcllous story.
In 1881 Count Okuma suddenly resigned hn
seat in the Cabinet, and was followed into pri-
waite life by IA considerable number OF officials.
It wae understood that he took this serious step
because OF his dissatisfaction with the measures
OF the Government in regard to popular represeh-
taton. lie was believed to object speclhcaAy
70 the date for the first meeting Of the Repre-
sentative Assembly, 1882 as being too remote.
From 1881 70 1880 Count Okuma, though TAX
ing no ostensibe part in public affairs, was re-
carded IA an opponent OF the Government a
party calling itself the Liberal party, OF winch
his adherents were the principal members, was
formed and one OF the ablest journals In Japan
was established to advocate its views. When
the new orders of nobility were founded, wnis
former colleagues whose position could in no re-
spect be compared with his own were ennooled'
he remained plain Mr., and it was not for some
time that the title which he had well earned W.
conferred on him 1t was generally believed NAV
bis separation from his old colleagues was hnal
and that the formation OF Parliament would
alone give him an opportunity Of re-cnterlng puo'
lc life For eight years his name was never
mentioned as u candidate for Office, and his APP
pointment to the important post Of Foreign MIN
lister in 1880 created the utmost surprise in Japan.
His assumption of Office was az once marked oy
increased activity and progress in his negotiations
for the revision Of treaties, and this thorny ques
ton seemed to be the of settlement when
suddenly the whole matter was indefinitely post
poned by his attempted assassination. This rem
dered his resignation necessary, and since thea
although he has remained the friend and sup.
porter of the present administration. he has 40
stained from holding office. He continues how
ever to he regarded the principal author OF tho
progressive and energetic policy Of the Caoines
now in power. His personal adherents arc
among the ablcst men in the country, and theu
energies arc enlisted on the side Of the Govern
ment.
Count Oxuma in personal appearance is unlike
the majority Of his countrymeu. lie Is tall, ana
has large face and high forehead his set ana
somewhat stern expression Is very UNUSUAL AMONG
the mobile Japanese. He has the reputation OK
being q man Of great resolution and tenacity OF
purpose. who is quite capable Of graphing Win
the problems presented by the foreign Attain: OF his
. country His death would be a gricvous los q
Japan.